UPMC Health Plan Increases Pittsburgh Half Marathon Prize Purse to $34,500
Total prize purse places event in the top five of U.S. half marathons; even record $6500 for each race champion
Posted Wednesday, 6 March, 2013
PITTSBURGH, PA – The Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon has announced that UPMC Health Plan, title sponsor of the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon, has committed more than $9,000 to raise the total prize purse for the 2013 event, making it one of the nation’s top five largest half marathon prize purses.
The UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, May 5, 2013, has increased its prize purse from $25,200 to $34,500, an event record. The top seven male and female finishers will receive prize money with the men’s and women’s champions taking home $6,500 each.
“Every year, we strive to move our elite program to the next level,” said Patrice Matamoros, race director of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon. “We thank UPMC Health Plan for their continued support of our elite program. The increased prize purse exemplifies how our race has grown over the past five years to become a world-class event.”
In 2010, UPMC Health Plan became the title sponsor of the half marathon, the weekend’s most popular race. With more than 12,000 finishers in 2012, the half marathon was the 20th largest 13.1 mile road race in the United States according to Running USA.
“UPMC Health Plan is proud to support the Pittsburgh Half Marathon and we hope the added incentive ensures that it becomes one of the most competitive half marathons in the country,” said Gina Pferdehirt, director of public relations and community relations at UPMC Health Plan. “As we celebrate our fourth year of supporting this great race, we have made a commitment to attract and reward top runners.”
For more information, including elite runner registration and the complete prize purse breakdown, go to: www.pittsburghmarathon.com
About the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh MarathonOrganized by the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc., the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon is a world-class event for runners across the globe. The race ignites the spirit of Pittsburgh, spanning 13 neighborhoods and boasting 9 festivals. The 2013 course will start and finish in Downtown Pittsburgh on May 5, 2013. Before the 5th edition, the two-day GNC Live Well Health & Fitness Expo will be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4. For more information, visit www.PittsburghMarthon.com.
About UPMC Health Plan
UPMC Health Plan, the second-largest health insurer in western Pennsylvania, is owned by UPMC, an integrated global health enterprise. The integrated partner companies of the UPMC Insurance Services Division – which includes UPMC Health Plan, UPMC WorkPartners, LifeSolutions (EAP), UPMC for You (Medical Assistance), and Community Care Behavioral Health – offer a full range of group health insurance, Medicare, Special Needs, CHIP, Medical Assistance, behavioral health, employee assistance, and workers' compensation products and services to over 2 million members. Our local provider network includes UPMC as well as community providers, totaling more than 135 hospitals and more than 11,500 physicians throughout Pennsylvania and parts of Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland. For more information, visit www.upmchealthplan.com.
