California Healthcare System’s 7-Year Commitment Brings Focus on Benefits of Exercise, Healthy Habits

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California International Marathon, one of the leading U.S. marathons renowned for being a top qualifier for the prestigious Boston Marathon, is partnering with California healthcare system Sutter Health as its Presenting Sponsor and the Official Medical Team and Health Partner of the California International Marathon. The seven-year sponsorship begins with this year’s CIM, which will be held Dec. 8.

“The California International Marathon and the Sacramento Running Association are key plot points in the region’s health and fitness landscape, so it is with great pride and enthusiasm to be partnering with Sutter Health, which is firmly entrenched as the axis point of our region’s community health,” said Scott Abbott, executive director of SRA. “It is a natural and authentic partnership that brings our state’s top healthcare system to our state’s top marathon.”

The CIM, which is in its 41st year and attracts about 10,000 runners annually, begins in Folsom, where Sutter Health is constructing a new care complex, and ends at the California State Capitol in Sacramento. One of the final aid stations along the marathon course is at one of the region’s flagship hospital campuses and recent winner of a Top 50 recognition from U.S. News & World Report: Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento. The location on L and 29th streets will be called the Never Stop Zone on the route, highlighting Sutter’s brand campaign centered on doctors, nurses and other health professionals who “never stop” caring for their patients and communities.

“Sutter Health is committed to improving the health of every community we serve, and this sponsorship highlights our focus on the power of exercise and building healthy habits,” said Warner Thomas, president and CEO of Sutter Health. “The phrase ‘never stop’ is what running a marathon is all about and serves as a reminder to keep pushing forward, whether during a race or in pursuing personal or professional goals. This same spirit drives our physicians, nurses and everyone that makes up our incredible Sutter Health team.”

As the Official Medical Team and Health Partner of the CIM, Sutter Health will lead the CIM’s medical teams throughout the event and in lead-up activities to the marathon. These include a Sutter Health Never Stop Health Zone during the two-day CIM Expo, where the public can access health information and participate in activities from Sutter medical professionals and volunteers.

Additionally, Sutter will be the Health Sponsor of the Sacramento Running Association Kids Program, which provides active lifestyle programming and health and fitness education to over 20,000 Sacramento-area students every year.

This sponsorship is part of a broader strategy by Sutter Health to help improve community health and champion healthy lifestyles across the California, especially among youth and young adults. Other initiatives include:

• Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento is home to Triple-A baseball’s Sacramento River Cats and, next year, will become the Major League Baseball field for the Athletics. It is the first MLB ballpark to be named for a healthcare system.
• Sutter Health is the Founding Partner of the new National Women’s Soccer League team, Bay FC, and also serves as its Official Medical Provider.
• Sutter Health is the Official Healthcare Partner of six California Interscholastic Federation sections in Northern California and is the presenting sponsor of the CIF Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.
• Sutter Health is the Official Healthcare Partner of Cal Athletics including the presenting sponsor of the Fan Zone at Cal Football and supporting pre-med student athletes with job shadowing opportunities.

For more information on the CIM, visit https://runsra.org/california-international-marathon/.  For more on Sutter Health, visit http://www.sutterhealth.org.