Benefits to the Community

Sponsorship Benefits of the
Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K
Becoming a sponsor of the Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K provides businesses with a unique
opportunity to make an investment that will produce strong and significant returns.
SUPPORT OF A GOOD CAUSE
The Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K helps preserve the beloved, long-standing
relationship between the public schools and Wood Lake Nature Center. Richfield residents
and non-Richfield residents alike recognize the importance of this cause and appreciate the
support of the event sponsors.
INEXPENSIVE ADVERTISING
Sponsorship of the Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K is extremely cheap when compared to
most other advertising formats and will probably produce a more meaningful result.
GREAT AUDIENCE
Runners and their families fall into a very desirable demographic! Runners are consumers with
an average household income of $99,000. Runners, on average, are in their mid- to late-30’s,
demonstrate great loyalty to race sponsors, and are a rapidly-growing group of athletes (31
million runners in United States). What’s more, Minnesota is a strong state for running:
Minnesota has the fourth-highest runners-per-capita in the nation and is has the third-highest
number of nationally-ranked runners!
RACE-DAY BUSINESS
This high-profile event attracts runners, their families, spectators and other participants.
These visitors have the potential to produce a powerful boost to our local economy on race
day, patronizing Richfield’s restaurants, hotels, stores, shops, medical services, recreational
facilities and many more.
LONG-LASTING EXPOSURE
The runners, their families, spectators and other race participants take with them the
memories of race day. Visitors recall the businesses and individuals that made this special
event possible long after the race is over.
NEW AUDIENCE
The Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K is the only event of its kind in Richfield. Races
attract visitors from around the metro area, greater Minnesota and beyond, which presents a
wave of visitors to Richfield that may not have a reason to visit before and may likely return to
Richfield or recall your business’ role in the race.
EXPOSURE TO DIFFERENT BUSINESSES
Events like the Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K, have great sponsorship appeal to many
types of businesses, many of whom may not have been involved in the Richfield community
before. This presents business-to-business opportunities that may be new to Richfield’s
businesses.
Wood Lake Nature Center’s
Environmental Education Program
Since its opening in March of 1971, Wood Lake
Nature Center has partnered with the Richfield Public
Schools to provide naturalist-led environmental
education curriculum to the students of Richfield
Public Schools. Students visit Wood Lake in the fall,
winter and spring to study subjects like pond life,
animal classification, cross-country skiing,
snowshoeing, animal coloration and more.
These field trips are part of a carefully-programmed,
kindergarten to sixth-grade environmental education
curriculum . The lessons are designed to build on the
previous year’s lessons and include hands-on learning, field studies and classroom-style
sessions.
In 2002, cuts in Local Government Aid from the
State of Minnesota forced the City of Richfield to
begin charging the Richfield Public Schools for
their visits, which placed the long-standing
partnership between Wood Lake Nature Center
and the Richfield Public Schools in jeopardy.
In response to these cuts, the City of Richfield
hosts the Urban Wildland Half Marathon &
5K. Staff and students from the Richfield
Public Schools have been significantly involved
in the event, collaborating with the City on
volunteer coordination and communications
with students and their families. The event
directly funds the environmental education
program to the Richfield Public Schools,
preserving a beloved Richfield tradition.
What is the
Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K?
The Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K is the City of Richfield’s only major running event.
The eighth-annual UWHM5K will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2010. The UWHM5K
attracts a broad range of abilities and interests. Race proceeds will benefit the Wood Lake
Nature Center’s environmental education programs for Richfield Public School children
between kindergarten and sixth grade.
The Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K has been strategically scheduled to fit the normal
training routine for the Twin Cities Marathon. 1,550 runners visit Richfield for the event!
The 13.1-mile course begins and ends at Veterans Memorial Park and winds through quiet
residential streets, thriving business districts and three natural areas, including Wood Lake
Nature Center. What a great showcase for the many facets of our community!
The Richfield Urban Wildland Half Marathon is listed in numerous publications including the
Minnesota Distance Runners Association Runner’s Guide. Event flyers are distributed at other
Minnesota running events throughout the year.
The Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K attracts a large, active audience to Richfield’s
businesses. On race day, the runners, their families, spectators and other participants
patronize Richfield’s restaurants, hotels, stores, shops and many more. Visitors take with
them their memories of race day and will recall the businesses and individuals that made this
special event possible.
Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K
Benefits to the Community
The Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K reaches deep into our community to provide longlasting benefits.
SUPPORT OF LOCAL SCHOOLS
Proceeds from the Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K help fund the Wood Lake Nature
Center’s environmental education programs for the Richfield Public School children between
kindergarten and sixth grade. This cooperative effort between Wood Lake Nature Center and
Richfield Public Schools has brought important environmental education curriculum to the
students of this community since 1971; the UWHM5K will preserve this beloved partnership.
COMMUNITY-BUILDING EVENT
This large-scale event encourages individuals from all sectors of our community to work
together on a positive effort. Richfield’s residents, students, political representatives, City staff
and business leaders have demonstrated cooperation in lending the support that is crucial to
the success of this event.
BUSINESS AND RESIDENTIAL SHOWCASE
The 13.1-mile course winds through Richfield’s residential neighborhoods and business
districts, showcasing the charm and quality of Richfield’s homes and businesses. The event has
proven to be a positive and high-profile showcase for Richfield’s resources and a great
introduction for future residents and visitors!
PARK SHOWCASE
The course passes by several of Richfield’s neighborhood parks and through natural areas,
including Veterans Park and Wood Lake Nature Center. These treasured public green spaces
are a source of great pride for Richfield’s residents and the City staff that maintain them.
PROMOTION OF WELLNESS AND FITNESS
By presenting a run/walk event, the entire community promots and exhibits the importance of
physical fitness and an attitude of wellness and good health for people of all ages and abilities.
Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K
Sponsorship Options
A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available for the Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K.
EXCLUSIVE SPONSORSHIPS
RACE SHIRTS
Business name & logo on back
 $500
VOLUNTEER SHIRTS
Business name & logo on back
 $250
STARTING LINE
Business name & logo on banner at starting line
 $1,000
FINISH LINE
Business name & logo on banner at finish line
 $1,000
FOOD TENT
Business name & logo on banner at food tent
 In-kind donation of organic food
 Food tent supplies: $2,000
CHIP TIMING
Business name & logo on banner at finish line
 $2,000
WATER STOP
Business name & logo on sign at water stop
 $250
REUSABLE RUNNER BAGS
Business name & logo on bag
 $600 (for two years; payable $300 each year)
SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE


Placement in the virtual runner bag, which includes your business name and
logo on our sponsor web page with a custom link.
Business name and/or logo on the sponsored item.
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
Sponsorships are acknowledged at one of the following three levels.
GOLD LEVEL $1,000+
SILVER LEVEL $250-$999
BRONZE LEVEL Up to $249
To become a sponsor of the Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K,
please contact Karen Shragg at [email protected] or 612-861-9366.