Oct. 7, 2013
For immediate release

California International Marathon Relay Challenge is off to a running start

The Sacramento Running Association (SRA) is pleased to announce that California-based Bank of the West has signed on as an official relay sponsor for SRA events and will be the title sponsor for the California International Marathon (CIM) Relay Challenge on December 8, 2013.

The Marathon Relay Challenge was initiated by the CIM in 1991 in response to interest by corporations, schools, running clubs and other groups that wanted to participate in the California International Marathon as a team. In addition to the CIM Relay Challenges, the three-year agreement with Bank of the West also includes title sponsorship of the Super Sunday 10ks.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Bank of the West and to welcome them to the SRA family,” said SRA Executive Director Ellen Moore. “Bank of the West has strong presence and visibility in Northern California and, in considering the title sponsorship of these important events, we wanted to work with an organization that was not just a part of our community but who also showed their dedication to the region.”

Bank of the West has been serving California since 1874 and has eight retail branches along with a commercial banking and dedicated agricultural banking office in downtown Sacramento.

“We’re looking forward to the upcoming Relay Challenge. Besides cheering runners from the sidelines, I’m sure we’ll also have some of our team members in the race,” said Ken Taylor, senior vice president and regional manager with Bank of the West. “The SRA is known for its world-class running events and for introducing many people to the joys and health benefits of running. We’re pleased to be associated with an organization that supports the well-being of our community.”

About Sacramento Running Association
The Sacramento Running Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding ways to encourage people of all ages and abilities to run. The SRA is committed to developing new, quality running events that appeal to a broad variety of runners. SRA events include the recent Gold Rush 100k and Freedom Mile, the Folsom Blues Breakout Half Marathon on Oct. 19, the California International Marathon on Dec. 8, the Super Sunday 10k Run on Feb. 2 and the Credit Union SACTOWN Ten-Mile Run on April 6. SRA beneficiaries include the American River Parkway, youth fitness programs, local running venues and aspiring young runners.