The Naperville Marathon and Half Marathon has a new name.
The Healthy Driven Naperville Marathon & Half Marathon Sponsored by Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare will be held Sunday, November 8, 2015.
Mayor A. George Pradel, Pam Davis, Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare System CEO and representatives of Naper Events helped unveil the new name and logo at the Naperville Municipal Center Tuesday afternoon.
“The (new name and sponsorship) marks a new phase on the focus of healthcare in the City of Naperville. It enhances the entire focus (of healthcare) within DuPage County,” said Mayor Pradel.
Details about this year’s start and finish line and course routes will be announced in late February. Charity registration for runners will open February 16. General registration will begin February 28.
The new race name and logo are an extension of Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare’s Healthy Driven initiative which is aimed at helping patients and the community members take a proactive role in their health and healthcare.
The campaign features race car driver Danica Patrick as the spokesperson in TV, radio, newspaper, magazine and billboard advertising, and a web site, HealthyDriven.com, that includes the Danica Patrick Healthy Driven Challenge where consumers can select a challenge to help them take charge of their health.
“(The new sponsorship and campaign) optimizes a healthy driven Naperville and the huge community commitment … everybody helping everybody else be well, succeed and get healthy. It’s a part of a rallying cry,” said Davis. “We are a new larger (healhcare) system that encompasses communities very similar to Naperville (like) Elmhurst, Wheaton, Warrenville, and Oakbrook.”
Edward Hospital (2013, 2014) and Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare (2015) have sponsored the Naperville Marathon & Half Marathon since the inaugural event in 2013. More than 4,600 runners finished the 2014 races (marathon – 1,300, half marathon – 3,300) and $250,000 was raised for 26 charities, including the Edward Foundation.
The Marathon showcases the city of Naperville, its parks, neighborhoods, historic buildings and vibrant downtown – drawing runners from across the country. The course, and extensive volunteer and spectator support make the event a favorite for all runners, from first-timers to Boston Marathon hopefuls. For more information, visit www.naperville26.com.
