FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Megan Ryan
Twin Cities Marathon
763-287-3888, ext. 13
Rich Fischer
Medtronic, Inc.
763-505-2975
TWIN CITIES MARATHON AND MEDTRONIC JOIN
TO SUPPORT WORLD-CLASS RUNNING EVENTS AND COMMUNITY HEALTH INITIATIVES
Partnership with Medtronic is the first in the
Twin Cities Marathon's 25-Year history
MINNEAPOLIS - Feb. 15, 2006 - The Twin Cities Marathon and Medtronic, Inc.
announced today a partnership to conduct long-term community outreach
efforts to promote exercise, wellness and healthy lifestyles in the Twin
Cities.
As part of that collaborative effort, Medtronic has become the first title
sponsor of the Twin Cities Marathon, one of the country's leading
marathons. The marathon, and all its related races, will now be called the
Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. Race events will officially kick off April
25 with the Medtronic TC 1 Mile run and marathon registration, and
culminate the weekend of Sept. 29 through Oct. 1 with the marathon and
associated race activities.
"This is a wonderful partnership based on shared values of encouraging and
helping people live healthier, more active lives," said Virginia Brophy
Achman, Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon executive director. "Together, we
will be able to do more than ever before to help promote health and
exercise with Minnesota families. This partnership provides us with the
expanded resources needed to bring life-changing messages to people, all
while continuing to conduct world-class race events."
"We're delighted to join forces with a hometown institution that so
perfectly complements our own community efforts," said Art Collins,
chairman and chief executive officer of Medtronic. "Medtronic's mission
calls for us to improve the health and well-being of the communities where
we live and work. Working with this first-class organization and its
committed staff and volunteers, we gain a powerful partner to help fulfill
that mission."
This year, Medtronic and the Medtronic Foundation will contribute nearly
$50 million to charitable causes around the world. With headquarters in
Fridley, the company focuses much of its philanthropy in Minnesota. The
Foundation is particularly committed to health and community programs that
encourage healthy lifestyles in children.
The partnership between Medtronic and the Twin Cities Marathon is a
five-year, exclusive agreement with options to extend the agreement in the
future.
About the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon
The 2006 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon weekend will take place Sept. 29 -
Oct. 1, 2006. The three-day weekend celebration of fitness includes a 5K
run/walk, children's fun runs, pasta dinner, health and fitness expo and
Medtronic TC 10 Mile, in addition to the marathon. The race continues its
16th consecutive year as the designated USATF National Masters Championship
for both men and women and will also host the USATF men's and women's open
Marathon Championships. Other corporate sponsors include Cub Foods,
Capella University and ING. Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. is a non-profit
organization that directs the TCM weekend as a community service for the
Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Visit www.twincitiesmarathon.org for more
information.
About Medtronic
Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the
global leader in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health,
and extending life for millions of people around the world.
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