COLUMBUS, Ohio – Kroger, Diamond Cellar and 10TV Commit To Be Fit will be the Presenting Sponsors of the inaugural Ohio State Four-Miler, a Buckeye-themed run / walk that will finish on the 50-yard line of Ohio Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 10, event organizers announced today. The support of Kroger, Diamond Cellar and 10TV Commit To Be Fit will allow up to 10,000 runners and walkers to participate in the inaugural event. The Ohio State Four-Miler was capped at 5,000 when announced in late August.
“We are extremely excited to be associated with the inaugural Ohio State Four-Miler” said Bruce Macaulay, Kroger Columbus Division President. “Our customers love Ohio State football, fun and fitness. This is a perfect event to celebrate each of these passions and showcase our healthy offerings to race participants and their friends and families. In addition, the opportunity to support the Urban and Shelley Fund for Cancer Research fits our mission for the entire community.” “The Diamond Cellar is proud to be a presenting sponsor of the first Ohio State Four-Miler,” said Andy Johnson, Diamond Cellar CEO. “Our partnership with The Ohio State University has been extremely rewarding and fun, and we look forward to continuing as a proud supporter of Ohio State athletics.” The Ohio State Four-Miler is a four-mile run / walk that will celebrate football and fitness on Sunday, Nov. 10. The event will start near Ohio Stadium, follow a four-mile route through campus before becoming the first major run / walk event to finish on Ohio Stadium’s 50-yard-line. Former Ohio State football and basketball players, Brutus Buckeye and the university’s pep band will participate.
“The initial response to the Ohio State Four-Miler was overwhelming, with more than 5,000 registrations in less than a month,” said Ray DeWeese, General Manager of IMG Sports Marketing. “We are honored that Kroger, Diamond Cellar and 10TV Commit To Be Fit have come on board as Presenting Sponsors, which will allow even more runners and walkers to experience this fantastic event.” Buckeye Greats scheduled to participate include: Craig Krenzel, Scoonie Penn, Bobby Carpenter, Dimitrious Stanley, William White, Justin and Ellen Zwick, Ryan and Lauren Miller, and JJ Sullinger. (Buckeye Greats scheduled to appear are subject to change.) “We are thrilled so many former Ohio State legends will join us on November 10,” Race Director David Babner said. “Their participation will allow runners and walkers to ‘Run With A Buckeye’ and make the experience of finishing on the 50-yard line of Ohio Stadium even more memorable.” Registration for the Ohio State Four-Miler is open at www.ohiostatefourmiler.com. Cost is $45 for the general public and $35 for Ohio State students through Oct. 31. Participants will receive a long-sleeved technical race shirt and a must-have “Official Ohio Stadium Finisher’s Medal.” All who register before Oct. 15 will be entered into a drawing to win a Buckeye Prize Package that will include four (4) tickets to the Ohio State-Iowa football game on Oct. 19, along with four (4) Sideline Passes, four (4) VIP tickets to Skull Session, Hospitality and Parking. The Ohio State Four-Miler is produced by the Ohio State Department of Athletics, the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer, M3S Sports and IMG College, the university’s multimedia rights partner. A portion of the proceeds of the Ohio State Four-Miler will benefit the Urban & Shelley Fund For Cancer Research, a general cancer research support fund dedicated to advancing cancer research at Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. “I hope you join us and become a part of a winning team in the fight against cancer,” said Lisa Cisco, founder of the Buckeye Cruise For Cancer. “It is a powerful feeling of hope when the Buckeye Nation unites for a common cause … together we can make a difference!” About Buckeye Cruise for CancerThe Buckeye Cruise for Cancer unites Buckeye fans together in the tradition of team spirit to raise funds and awareness for cancer research. Funds raised onboard The Buckeye Cruise for Cancer benefit the Urban and Shelley Meyer Fund for Cancer Research, OSU James Cancer Hospital and the Solove Research Institute. The 2013 Buckeye Cruise for Cancer raised more than $1 million and has brought the total funds raised to more than $3 million. The Buckeye Cruise for Cancer was founded in 2007 by Lisa Cisco with the motto: “Together we can make a difference.” The 2014 Buckeye Cruise for Cancer will sail February 20-24, 2014. Visit www.buckeyecruise.com for more information. About M3S SportsM3S Sports is a sports marketing firm based in Columbus, Ohio dedicated to celebrating a healthy active lifestyle. M3S Sports produces the Capital City Half Marathon, Emerald City Half and Quarter Marathon, Arizona Distance Classic, 10TV Commit To Be Fit Multisport Festival and a variety of other running and walking events in Central Ohio. Visit www.m3ssports.com for more information.
About IMG CollegeIMG College is the nation’s leading collegiate multimedia, marketing and licensing/brand management company, representing more than 200 of the nation’s top collegiate properties, including the NCAA and its 89 championships, NCAA Football, leading conferences and many of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the country. Headquartered in Winston Salem, N.C., IMG College connects brands with the largest and most demographically attractive fan base in sports through partnership opportunities in multimedia rights, sponsorship sales, licensing, marketing, ticketing, seating, fundraising, premium events and hospitality, stadium and arena development, and consulting. IMG College produces nearly 31,000 hours of radio programming on the largest sports network in the country, manages nearly 5,000 hours of local television programming, is the leading publisher of college sports publications and is the largest manager of university athletic websites. IMG College is a division of IMG Worldwide, a global sports, fashion and media business. For more information, please visit www.imgcollege.com
