The Detroit Free Press Marathon, presented by MSU Federal Credit Union, announced Friday, May 30, that it has added another sponsor, one that makes the electric pace cars that will lead the head-of-the-pack runners.
Kia America, the announcement said, is now the race’s “official automotive sponsor.”
Aaron Velthoven, the Detroit Free Press Marathon’s vice president and race director, touted the carmaker’s “clean-running, quiet electric vehicles.” Kia America, based in Irvine, California, is part of South Korean Kia Corp.
Electric vehicles will help limit the event’s environmental impact. The pace cars, race organizers said, are running with no emissions, contributing to the aim of what is referred to as a “net zero waste” event.
This year’s race weekend, scheduled for Oct. 17-19, will be the 48th year of the marathon known for a course that crosses the U.S.-Canada border — twice. More than 26,000 racers are expected, Velthoven said.
The Free Press Marathon was named the best marathon in the country in April by USA TODAY’s 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards. The Free Press and USA TODAY are both owned by Gannett, a New York-based media holding company.
Many of the race events are sold out, according to the marathon website.
In addition to the pace cars, Velthoven said Kia will be the presenting sponsor of Conquered, what is being billed as the marathon’s “official afterparty” at Campus Martius in downtown Detroit.
Jerry O’Sullivan, Kia America’s regional marketing manager, said the company is “excited to be bringing cars and our approach to Detroit this fall to support runners, the community and the marathon team,” and is “committed to inspiring mobility and sustainability.”
Kia also sponsors race events in other cities, including Chicago and Los Angeles.
Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Kia to provide Detroit Free Press Marathon pace cars, sponsor race after party
Reporting by Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
