Country Music Marathon Announces New Partnership

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Competitor Group, Inc. have announced a new title partnership as the official benefiting charity of the Country Music Marathon. The event, now re-branded as the St. Jude Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon presented by Nissan, takes place Saturday, April 28, 2012.

“The St. Jude Country Music Marathon and 1/2 Marathon is the perfect match for St. Jude’s rich history with the country music industry and our St. Jude Heroes program,” noted Richard Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC, St. Jude’s fundraising arm. “The event is truly a marriage of fitness enthusiasts and country fans alike nationwide who want to do something meaningful in the fight against childhood cancer and other deadly diseases.”

“While I believe each and every event Competitor Group organizes is spectacular, the St. Jude Country Music Marathon is my personal favorite,” said Tracy Sundlun, Sr. VP of Competitor Group and a founder of the Nashville race. “We are excited to launch a new era of the marathon by partnering with St. Jude and their incredible network of supporters and country music radio stations, which will take the promotion of this event and the city of Nashville to a whole new level.”

Over its 12 year history, the race has become a major annual event that draws over 30,000 participants. According to Sundlun, the event includes the second-largest 1/2 marathon in America and is the country’s largest combined marathon and 1/2. To date, charity partners have raised over $22.3 million through the race, one of Tennessee’s largest fundraising platforms.