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Photo courtesy: Respironics Pittsburgh officials and sponsors gather for the course certification of the Marathon and Half Marathon (L-R) Donald J. Spence, Philips Respironics; Louis B. Kushner, Rothman Gordon; City of Pittsburgh Councilman Doug Shields; Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato; and Freddie H. Fu, MD, UPMC Sports Medicine. |
There are now 131 days and counting, and with the course certification completed for the 20th running of Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, Philips Respironics is poised to make the most of its first major sponsorship of a sporting event and the debut of the half marathon by using the platform to raise awareness about the importance of sleep to health and wellness.
The company, now a part of Royal Philips Electronics’ home healthcare business, is a title sponsor of the half marathon, scheduled for May 3, 2009.
After a six-year hiatus, the return of the marathon and half marathon are expected to attract a strong field of runners from across the globe for an exciting race through America’s “Most Livable City.” Nearly 1,000 people have registered for the race to date. With certification by USA Track & Field, a special distinction for runners, the courses also qualify for the Boston Marathon and the Olympic trials.
It may come as no surprise that healthy living is the primary focus of the race for Philips Respironics, a world leader in treating sleep and respiratory issues. Donald J. Spence, who steps into his new role as CEO of Philips Home Healthcare Solutions, is an avid runner and marathoner.
Spence joined Respironics in 2005 as president of the sleep and home respiratory group. He and fellow marathon veteran, colleague Maura Weis, a marketing manager in sleep therapy, and others on the team, are spearheading the effort.
Spence and Weis have recruited an impressive crew of runners and volunteers for the event. “You can’t put on skates and skate with Sidney Crosby. You can’t play on the field with the Steelers, but this event allows you to participate and race with some of the best in the world,” Spence remarked.
Philips Respironics is planning numerous outreach activities leading up to Marathon Weekend, including participation in the two-day Health & Fitness Expo at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
The first 50 runners to register for the Philips Respironics Half Marathon also will receive a special commemorative “in-training” T-shirt, along with helpful tips about sleep and making sleep part of a training regimen.
The Pittsburgh Marathon has a place in U.S. running history as the site of the 2000 Olympic trials for men, the 1988 Olympic trials for women and the three-time host of the U.S. men’s national championships. It was the site of the National Wheelchair Championship in 1986, and the site of the Olympic Trials for Finland and Denmark in the late 1980s.
New to the 2009 Marathon is the Philips Respironics Half Marathon — an event that is growing in popularity. The half marathon features a mostly flat course and will run along a portion of the marathon route which winds through the city’s unique and historic neighborhoods.
“We are honored to be involved in a milestone event for our region and are using the opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of sleep to health and wellness,” Spence adds.
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