Jim Beam® Bourbon Unveiled as Presenting Sponsor of the Urban Bourbon Half Marathon
Louisville, Ky. – July 19, 2017 – Jim Beam®, the world’s number one selling bourbon, has signed on as presenting sponsor of the Urban Bourbon Half Marathon (UBHM) that will be held on Oct. 21. The UBHM is an experiential destination event that celebrates and promotes 200 years of Louisville and Kentucky distilling history, combined with a half marathon route that showcases one of Louisville’s most scenic parks and provides a distinct downtown running experience.
This is the fourth year for the UBHM, which features exclusive bourbon experiences and a post-race party that recently was heralded by Runners’ World magazine as one of the best half marathon after-parties in the country.
The announcement was made by the Louisville Sports Commission, owners and operators of the UBHM.
“We are delighted to support this year’s UBHM runners, celebrating the mutual history of the Commonwealth and Jim Beam,” said Kim Bennett, senior director, Kentucky Beam Bourbon Experiences. “It takes hard work and determination to finish the race and we look forward to toasting these runners’ accomplishments the best way we know how – with bourbon, of course.”
Registrants for the UBHM are treated to a mini bourbon tasting at packet pickup and are invited to the Urban Bourbon Bash held on the Belvedere immediately after the race. The Urban Bourbon Bash includes tastings from the Jim Beam portfolio of bourbons along with a selection of other Kentucky bourbons, Bearno’s pizza, Kentucky Craft Ale, Kentucky burgoo and a three-hour concert by the Louisville Crashers, the region’s premiere pop rock party band. Every finisher will receive a unique medal that is a replica of the Jim Beam Black® bottle, as well as a long-sleeve tech shirt.
“The Urban Bourbon Half Marathon presented by Jim Beam is generating a lot of buzz in the running community nationwide and locally,” said Karl Schmitt, president and CEO of the Louisville Sports Commission. “We know from listening to participants that the quality of the course, the beautiful fall setting and the terrific pre- and post-race experiences built around Kentucky bourbon, foods and music, have helped us gain a strong foothold on the national running calendar.”
“Named the highest-rated bourbon of 2016 by the International Wine and Spirit Competition, Jim Beam Black will elevate the entire bourbon experience we provide UBHM participants,” continued Schmitt.
The UBHM course starts and finishes in front of the Kentucky Center, winds through the entire Scenic Loop in historic Cherokee Park, heads back toward downtown through the Lower Highlands and finishes on Main Street. Awards will be given to the top male and female finishers and age-group winners.
The Urban Bourbon Half Marathon is the final race in the Louisville Sports Commission’s Fall Runathon. Runners must be 21 or older by Oct. 21, 2017, to participate. The Fall Runathon kicks off with two family-friendly races that offer Louisville-centric routes. The Louisville pure tap® 5k will be held Sept. 9 at the historic Louisville Water Tower. The Norton Sports Health Great Pumpkin 10k returns on Sept. 30 at the Parklands at Floyds Fork.
More information about all the races in the 2017 Fall Runathon, including registration and route information, can be found at http://fallrunathon.com/.