The Guyana Marriott in its first official sponsorship venture of a sporting activity has agreed to be the main partner of the inaugural Guyana Marathon, half-marathon and 10km events in November.
This and other details were unveiled yesterday at the hotel’s Block Alpha, Kingston location during a briefing with the media and the top brass of the event’s organizing committee.
“We are pleased and proud to be officially onboard with such an event which will be for charity and the betterment of a community,” Marriott’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Denisse Olivo said yesterday. The pact’s financial magnitude was undisclosed but was labeled as substantial. Special rates for overseas athletes along with t-shirts are also part of the sponsorship agreement.
The inaugural event is scheduled to take place on November 14 at Santa Mission and all proceeds will go towards the schools in the community.
Olivo added that the Guyana Marriott Hotel which officially opened its doors exactly two weeks ago, will continue to support the venture once it becomes an annual fixture.
One of the main organisers of the event, Leslie Black, told the media that the event will be used as a tourist attraction. Black, who has coached the likes of Cleveland Forde and Alika Morgan, then revealed that the races have already garnered interest from runners in the USA, Canada and Kenya. He pointed out that he has already received 50 paid entries.
Another organiser, Sevak Tsaturyan, disclosed that registration per athlete is $US100. Registration includes a medal, a t-shirt, snacks, lunch, energy drinks and gels and transportation to and from the event.
Quizzed on the prize structure for the top finishers, Tsaturyan responded by saying: “We haven’t decided on the prizes as yet, we will see how the registration goes.”
The Marriott Hotel will also host a dinner for the athletes on the evening prior to the three races which will run off at 08:00hrs.
“On the day of the races, the marathon will start at eight o’ clock, the half-marathon at 9 and the 10k at 10,” said Tsaturyan.
See you there. (Emmerson Campbell)
