Walmart Takes Title Sponsorship of “Walmart Bentonville Half Marathon” 

Press Release

Bentonville, AR (October 5) - Bentonville, Arkansas based Walmart has taken the title sponsorship of the “Walmart Bentonville Half Marathon” March 13, 2010.   Hosted by the City of Bentonville and Bentonville Convention  & Visitors and produced by Winter Park, Florida-based Reinke Sports Group, the event will be the 2^nd stop on the 11-city USRA Half Marathon Series. 

The Walmart Bentonville Half Marathon will feature the “Powerbar Half Marathon”, 5K, 1 Mile Fun Run and a Runner’s Expo/Health & Fitness Expo the day prior at the Official Headquarters Clarion Hotel.  Joining Walmart as additional founding sponsors include Timex, Stouffers & Buitoni who will sponsor the Pre-Race “free” Runner’s Pasta Party.  Media partners include the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Newspaper, Citadel Radio and Channel 5 , the CBS-Television affiliate. 

As with all USRA Half Marathon Series events, all Half Marathon runners will receive high quality “tech”  shirts and Finisher Medals.  5K and Fun Runners will receive commemorative t-shirts and Goodie Bags.  Medical support and hydration stations will be on the course at every two miles along with music and entertainment. 

All of the races of the Walmart Bentonville Half Marathon will start and finish on the historic Bentonville Town Square with runners and walkers finishing in front of the original “Sam’s 5 & Dime”, the precursor to Walmart.  “We are very enthused about helping create this major, signature event for the City of Bentonville that will attract runners from throughout the country”, stated Alan Dranow, Walmart Senior  Director for Brand Communication. 

Bentonville Convention & Visitors Bureau Exectutive Director Kalene Griffith echoed Dranow’s comments.  “We have been looking for an event to showcase Bentonville and we feel we have hit upon a terrific event that will attract tourism and generate economic impact”, she noted. 

The Walmart Bentonville Half Marathon will  be part of the nationwide, 11-city USRA Half Marathon Series which launches with the Columbia (SC) Half Marathon February 28, followed by the Walmart Bentonville Half, Lexington (KY) (March 28), Mt Pleasant (WI) (April 10), Council Bluffs (IA) (May 23), Worcester (MA) (June 6), Morgantown (WV) (September 12), Joplin (MO) (October 10), Purdue (Lafayette IN) (October 24), Lancaster (PA) (October 31) and Clarksville (TN) (November). 

Further information on the USRA Half Marathon Series may be obtain by contacting Reinke Sports Group at (407) 599-0568 and USRARaceSeries.com.