Close to 12,000 runners are expected to sign up for the seventh annual event on May 7. Sponsors see it as an ideal opportunity to get their brands in front of what they consider a highly desirable consumer.
Head of events at property website Rightmove, Sara Monk, says: “We are proud to be sponsoring the MK Marathon and the MK Half Marathon in 2018. Milton Keynes is the home of Rightmove so we are really excited about taking part in and helping one of the key sporting events in our local community.
Rightmove is using this opportunity to raise money for two causes close to its heart; Meningitis Now and the Winter Night Shelter. It has set itself a fundraising target of £26,000 and a team of over 100 runners and fundraisers are preparing for MK Marathon weekend
Private hospital BMI The Saxon Clinic is sponsoring the MK Marathon Relay for the third year running. The hospital’s executive director Moira Stokoe said: “The MK Marathon is one of the biggest community events that takes place throughout the year. It is sending a positive message to people of all ages that sport is good for us in all sorts of ways.
“Good for the mind in encouraging a sense of community, and specifically in the relay, in teamwork. Good for the body in keeping you fit and healthy, and good for the soul in improving your overall wellbeing.“
Brioche Pasquier, the French bakery which manufactures thousands of brioches in its factory at Wymbush, is sponsoring the marathon for a second year. Marketing executive Melissa Charron said: “As a French family-run company that is based in Milton Keynes, it is important to us to support the community and share our values of enjoying family moments and promoting sports.”
She and her colleagues will be handing out brioche to each runner and have a stand in the Race Village for runners and spectators alike to visit.
Event director Andy Hully said: “It is exciting to see so many businesses supporting the marathon, both as sponsors and by entering teams.
"It is shaping up to be the biggest and best event we have staged so far and we are looking forward to welcoming thousands of runners to showcase what an amazing place Milton Keynes is.”
Other sponsors include courier company APLE and Murrays the Printers.
A host of local and national charities are set to benefit with runners raising funds for:
- Headline charity partner Macmillan Cancer Support
- Gold charity partners MK Hospital Charity and Harry’s Rainbow
- Silver charity partners Willen Hospice, MK Dons Sport & Education Trust, St John Ambulance and Henry Allen Trust
- Other causes including MacIntyre, MK Snap, Ride High and Age UK Milton Keynes.
This year’s event will be the seventh Milton Keynes Marathon. Previous events have raised a total of more than £1.7 million for various charities.
Entries for the Milton Keynes Marathon and Half Marathon, the BMI The Saxon Clinic Marathon Relay, and the Superhero Fun Run close at the end of April. Visit www.mkmarathon.co.uk.
Milton Keynes Marathon sponsorship opportunities are still available. Contact Andy Hully for more details at run@miltonkeynesmarathon.co.uk
