Runners cross the Robert N. Stewart Bridge during the Mill Race Marathon in Columbus, Ind., Sept. 28, 2024.
A very popular local pizza place and brewery has signed on to be the main sponsor of the city’s biggest race of the year.
ZwanzigZ Pizza and Brewing will be a new main sponsor of the Mill Race Marathon. They’ve been a sponsor of the race since its inaugural year in 2013, but this is the first year they’ll be a main sponsor.
“They’ve been a founding sponsor supporting us every year with this year being our 13th year,” MRM sponsorship director Matt Dudukovich said. “They are an amazing local business that has been wildly successful, and they’re just so committed to our community and to investing in our community to make Columbus a great place to live and work.”
German American Bank was the former main sponsor, but will still support the Kids Fun Run this year. The Kids Fun Run will be on Sept. 26 with the Mill Race Marathon, Half-Marathon and 5K taking place the next day.
“ZwanzigZ has been a huge supporter from Day One” Dudukovich said. “When we shared with them that German American Bank had stepped away, Kurt and Lisa were interested in doing it, and that’s why the conversation started. We are excited and so pleased that a local business that is wildly successful has a fantastic brand is stepping up to be a main sponsor. It’s really cool.”
ZwanzigZ opened for business in January 2002 off Jonesville Rd. and was a carry-out and delivery service. In February 2005, it located to its current place at the intersection of 11th Street and Lafayette Avenue to add a dine-in service.
“With Columbus Regional Health and Cummins being very familiar businesses within our community, we hope people see our business the same way as a home-grown Columbus original business,” said Kurt Zwanzig, who with his wife, Lisa, operates ZwanzigZ Pizza & Brewing. “We felt like this was appropriate. We talked with team about it. We talked with our main people at our business. We decided to do it.”
ZwanzigZ gives the MRM three main sponsors this year, joining with Columbus Regional Health and Cummins.
“It’s a unique partnership in that they’re one of three main sponsors now, MRM planning committee director Laura Dudukovich said. “It’s fun! We’re really excited to partner with them. They’re super stoked. The creativity will ramp up now I think with what we can do.”
