Edinburgh Marathon secures Chevrolet as Hairy Haggis team relay sponsor

The Edinburgh Marathon team have announced that Chevrolet is to be the title sponsor of the 2008 Chevrolet Hairy Haggis Team Relay. Chevrolet began their involvement with the 2007 marathon when they provided branded Captivas as lead cars and eye-catching sail banners to welcome runners home at the finish at Musselburgh Racecourse. Richard Chamberlain, National Retail Marketing Manager for Chevrolet UK, commented positively on the company's experience of the event to date: "We are very pleased to be contributing once again to the Edinburgh Marathon after the great success of the event in 2007. A number of our marketing managers were involved in the Hairy Haggis Team Relay in 2007 and wanted to give others the opportunity to have as much fun competing as they did." Their decision to further commit to the event by backing the team relay race would seem to ensure that this fun and increasingly popular strand of the Edinburgh Marathon will continue to go from strength to strength. The Hairy Haggis Team Relay involves teams of four runners running the same route as the full marathon but split in to four legs. It is timed using the same championship timing system as the full marathon and there are prizes for the first teams in each category. Caroline Vevers, Event Director of the Edinburgh Marathon said: "The greatest thing about the relay event is that it gives runners of all abilities a chance to savour the atmosphere of the marathon but without having to do the gruelling 26.2 miles. That sounds good to me!" Chevrolet UK have further committed to the Edinburgh Marathon by taking up the role as secondary sponsor of the main event. The Chevrolet logo will be emblazoned on all marathon and relay running numbers and their branding on Captivas on display at the finish in Musselburgh Racecourse. Damien O'Looney, Marketing Manager for the marathon said: "To have Chevrolet UK increase their commitment by sponsoring the marathon and team relay shows we are continuing to grow in popularity throughout Scotland and the UK. I'm very excited about the future of our events and am delighted Chevrolet shares that belief". Entries opened for the 2008 event, to be held on Sunday 25th May, on 1st September and to date over 3,600 have entered, 25% up on the same time last year. The Edinburgh Marathon Team is confident that 11,000 runners will enter the 2008 Edinburgh Marathon and Chevrolet Hairy Haggis Team Relay.   E&OE