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Edward Hospital to sponsor first three Naperville marathons

Once a marathon without a name, the inaugural Edward Hospital Naperville Marathon and Half Marathon now has an official moniker.

Edward officials announced Monday that the hospital will be the title sponsor of the event through 2015. The inaugural races will be on Sunday, Nov. 10, starting and finishing at North Central College near downtown Naperville.

“We’re proud and excited to be a partner to bring this exciting event to Naperville,” Edward President and CEO Pam Davis said in a prepared statement. “We look forward to helping build this into one of the most prestigious long-distance running events in the country.”

Edward spokesman Keith Hartenberger said the hospital is not releasing financial details of the partnership.

This year’s race will accommodate 3,500 runners and about 3,000 of those spots were sold out in just 14 hours during online registration in January, with about an even split among those who signed up for the marathon and half marathon.

The remaining race entries are available through the Naperville Marathon Charity Partner program, which will include the Edward Foundation. As the premier charity for the event, the Edward Foundation will be able to raise funds that will benefit Edward programs and services.

Dr. Mike Hartmann, a physician in the Edward Emergency Department and a veteran of several Ironman events, will serve as race medical director.

“With its reputation as a premier provider of health care services and a leader in fitness, wellness and prevention, Edward Hospital is a perfect fit as our title sponsor,” marathon co-director Bob Hackett said.

Edward Health & Fitness Center in Naperville, on the campus of Edward Hospital, will host the Naperville Marathon Races Fitness Expo on Nov. 8 and 9, which will feature an opportunity for runners to pick up their packets, exhibitors featuring the newest designs in running gear and shoes, as well as the latest developments in sports, fitness, nutrition and health.

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  Naperville Mayor George Pradel, third from left, acknowledges the applause after he fired up the crowd with a rousing invitation to run in the city’s inaugural marathon. Scott Sanders/ssanders@dailyherald.com
  The Edward Hospital Naperville Marathon’s starting banner was unfurled Monday at Edward Health & Fitness Center in Naperville. Scott Sanders/ssanders@dailyherald.com
  Edward Hospital President & CEO Pam Davis, second from left, comments on the banner that will be placed at the start of Naperville’s inaugural marathon this fall. Scott Sanders/ssanders@dailyherald.com
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