Sponsorship Opportunities

The Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon is set for June 6, 2011. 2010 was our best year ever with over 2700 participants in our weekend of events including: a 2-day Health and Fitness Expo, both a Full and a Half Marathon, a Marathon Relay, Kids Marathon, Fast 5K and kids 1K races. Our new KID’S Marathon went over extremely well and we have plans to increase its visibility and numbers in 2011. Our South Dakota State Employee program hosted more state employees than any of the previous 3 years. Our half marathon, the most popular distance in running these days, increased by about 25%. We’re growing.

2010 Accomplishments:

  • Largest Participation in our 8 year history.
  • Increased Media Reach:
  • KEVN FOX ran more than 100 thirty-second spots, multiple times a day, prior to the event. And, 3 of their News Anchors participated in the event.
  • SDSM&T had a spot on their closed circuit TV’s airing continuously from February-May
  • Increased Charitable Donations
  • over $6,000 was donated or raised for non-profit groups such as Black Hills Habitat for Humanity, the Deadwood Recreation Center Swim Team, and Ski for Light.
  • $5,500 was put into the G,F & Parks coffers for trail maintenance
  • Celebrity Hotel and Michelob Ultra beer sponsored a weekend party

2011 Goals:

  • Increase participation by 15 to 25%.
  • Increase marketing reach by securing more local television air time.
  • Increase flyer distribution in complimentary race packets nationwide during the months of January and February
  • Further solidify our ever growing reputation as a “must-do”, destination marathon.
  • Upgrade our Health and Fitness Expo, thereby making it more appealing to locals….giving them a reason to come to Deadwood sometime during event weekend.
  • Partner with Deadwood businesses to create an “event weekend” atmosphere. (Celebrity Hotel/Casino)

As the largest sporting event in South Dakota, we are looking forward to another record breaking 2010 event weekend. In order to make the Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon a top US destination marathon, we need your help. Our organizing committee has already begun planning for 2010. Also, we can customize our sponsorship packages to meet you goals and objectives and to create maximum exposure for your company. Here is how your company can get involved:

 OTHER WAYS TO PARTICIPATE:

  • Commemorative Timing Chip Sponsor: Beginning in 2010, we will be timing with one time use chips that participants can keep as a memento of the race. Your logo can be featured on the chip. Estimated cost is $4500.
  • Participant Goodie Bag Sponsor: Each participant will receive a race bag with promotional items and also to use as their drop bag for the start of the race. Estimated cost is $3500
  • Kids Marathon Sponsor: Our Kids Marathon is a program we started in 2009 to promote fitness and fun in school age children. Each participant runs or walks 25 miles before the Final Kids Marathon 2K on race day. This distance equals a marathon distance of 26.2 miles. All participants receive a t-shirt and Marathon Medal. Sponsorship cost for T-shirts and Medals is $1000
  • Host an Event or Reception:
  • Volunteer Thank You Party- Recognizes the contributions of the over 200 volunteers that make it happen!
  • Post Race Celebration- An opportunity to celebrate the successful completion of a great race.
  • Awards Ceremony- Held immediately after the race to present the over-all and age-group winners with their well-deserved prizes.
  • Mile Marker Sponsor: Your logo can be placed on one of our half or full marathon mile markers (39 available) along with your company logo on our web page. Mile markers are on a first come, first choose basis.
  • We need Runners and Walkers: Support a healthy work environment by recruiting runners and walkers to participate in any of our 4 events. We will be offering an on-line free training program beginning in January to help your employees in their successful completion of their race.
  • Be visible in our finish line/reunion area: Any company with at least 20 participants will have the opportunity for a finish line area to congratulate your employees for their accomplishment. For example, you could have a special tent set up in the finish area to use as a gathering place to offer food and drinks to your participants, massages, or have drawings for door prizes. Or, offer incentives like a casual day or lunch to participating employees

We are always looking for other marketing opportunities including TV and print advertising and will ensure that sponsors will receive the maximum exposure available.

2011 Marketing Plan

Sept 2010-June 2011 Promotional E-mails 70,000 (7000 each month) Past Participants Nationwide

Dec 2010-April 2011 Poster Distribution 500 Black Hills Area plus Regional (ND, SD, MN, IA, CO, WY, MT) and Nationally by mailing to past participants to distribute locally

Jan 2011-May 2011 TV Advertising 86,000+ KEVN, KIVV and KNBN continuing partnerships

Jan 2011-April 2011 Flyer Distribution 20.000 Black Hills Area plus Regional (ND, SD, MN, IA, CO, WY, MT) and Nationally by mailing to past participants to distribute locally

Oct. 2010-June 2011Event Website Worldwide

Feb 2011-May 2011 Radio Ads Black Hills Area /Eastern WY

June 2011 Event Shirts 3000 Estimated 80% regional and 20% Nationwide

Another important benefit of becoming a sponsor is the association of your business or product with a positive, health related community event. Nationally, distance running has become one of the most popular pastimes for people of all ages and abilities. Marathon Participants reached almost half a million in 2008.

For more information, please contact Emily Wheeler at (605) 390-6137 or info@deadwoodmickelsontrailmarathon.com .