As the 2016 Mill Race Marathon planning committee makes the final preparations for the fourth annual race through Columbus, four new executive sponsors are working with the team to put the finishing touches on the event.
This year, Amy Boerger, vice president for sales — North American Engine Business at Cummins Inc.; Tom Dowd, regional president of commercial lending for MainSource Bank; Marc Rothbart, president of Inspire Health Services; and Kelsey DeClue, public relations coordinator for Columbus Regional Health, have each represented their respective businesses on the marathon executive sponsor team.
As executive sponsors, the four local industry leaders are involved in the organization and planning of the marathon’s different events.
Boerger said the marathon committee approached her about becoming an executive sponsor because of her personal interest in physical fitness, particularly running. The Cummins executive said she has not competed in the marathon, but has worked as a volunteer.
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This year, Boerger’s role as an executive sponsor has required her to do more behind-the-scenes work and provide input on the marathon’s operations on behalf of Cummins.
Rothbart was involved with the marathon when he worked for SIHO Insurance Services, the former Mill Race 5K sponsor. But now that he has become president of Inspire Health Services — an affiliate of SIHO and the new 2016 5K sponsor — Rothbart said he has enjoyed being more hands-on in the marathon planning process.
On the day of the marathon, Rothbart said he is looking forward to raffling off a free bike to runners who finish the 5K.
Dowd said he is going to be involved in giving away the ultimate prize on race day — a Cummins-powered 2016 Ram truck.
Dowd has been heavily involved in planning the Kids Fun Run, scheduled for Sept. 23. MainSource Bank has been the primary sponsor for the Kids Fun Run each year, and Dowd said he has enjoyed watching the children’s race grow to more than 1,000 runners last year.
Dowd said he also is thrilled by the uptick in registration numbers for the Saturday races this year.
Among the runners competing in this year’s race will be DeClue, who is competing in the 5K.
While DeClue has worked with the marathon Health and Fitness Expo in the past, she said she is looking forward to being more involved with the Saturday events this year, particularly offering opening remarks to the runners on race day.
