The 2015 Marathon pre-race sponsor networking party held at the 5-star RLJ Kendeja Hotel on Saturday was not just merely about “formal introduction of sponsors,” it was also a night of laughter, interactions and entertainment.
Daily Observer’s Marketing Manager, Bai Best, who is also one of the organizers, almost “lifted the roof” of the hotel with etiquette, information and laughter and then with a song.
Though he sang agreeably and beautifully and thrilled the crowd, he actually matched less to Nicholas Bugler – a Star is Born’s winner.
The serving girls – were uniquely attired (blue and white) and everyone’s glass never went empty – as well as the food which made the cocktail zesty.
Intermingling, Race Director Eunice Dahn unveiled six outstanding sponsors and two to-be sponsors.
Amongst the six sponsors, Exxon Mobile has the golden package; and the remaining grabbed the silver packages - include RLJ Kedenja Hotel, Brussels Airlines, Coca-Cola, West Construction and Monrovia Club Breweries.
Ms. Dahn announced Cellcom GSM has a soon to-be Golden sponsor but withheld the name of another sponsor, who might be another Golden sponsor.
Ms. Dahn said the sponsorship by all the institutions has added value to the marathon and Cellcom’s deal if finalized could increase the value.
She said the 8th sponsor is in the making and it would bring together, for the first time elite sponsors.
Liberia is expected to celebrate the victory over Ebola on Sunday November 8, with the 2015 Liberia Marathon.
Over 3000 participants are expected, including racers from other parts of the world.
Under the theme “the New Beginning,” Chief Patron President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is again expected to start-on the race, hopefully from the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital to the Airfield-Fish Market.
The 2015 Liberia Marathon will honor Liberians and others lost to the Ebola virus, and all those who served on the front lines. The marathon will celebrate survivors of the Ebola virus and calls on everyone to say no to the stigmatization.
The Marathon, which will take place on Sunday, November 8, is expected to maintain and institutionalize proven success factors, while adding new and innovative elements as drivers of progress.
It will offer free electronic chip-timing. The categories are:
The Liberia Half-Marathon – the supreme distance: 21km (13miles) – from the Freeport of Monrovia to the ELWA Compound.
The 10k Run for Liberia: From the JFK Memorial Hospital to the ELWA Compound.
The 10k wheel chair and crutches race: an extraordinary race for extraordinary athletes- From the JFK Memorial Hospital to the ELWA Compound.
There is still a free training section for all registered runners every Sunday morning, at the ELWA Compound, on the Roberts International Airport highway.
The training runs from 7:00am to 9:00am, and runners will be trained according to their race choice (10k, half-marathon or physically challenged). They will receive training plans together with registration confirmation.
Meanwhile registration is still ongoing: Liberians are to register with L$80 and L$160 respectively for the 10k and half marathon, while non-Liberians will pay US$35 and US$45 and the physically challenged athletes are free. Registration ends of the 22 October.
Interested runners can register at all Total Gas Stations, Business Start-Up Center (BSC), located at Main Campus at the University of Liberia; and Lila Brown – Bar and Restaurant, opposite Mamba Point Hotel.
Other venues are NARDA Office, corner of Broad and Johnson Street; Fuzion Bar & Resto, on corner of 14th Street-Tubman Boulevard and the Merit Travel Service, corner of Benson and Mechlin Street, Kaba Building 1st Floor.