A Premier Event For Premier Sponsors! The third annual Houston Rhythm and Blues Half Marathon and 5K on February 9, 2014 garnered a field of nearly 4000 runners from 31 states. It was a rousing success for our runners, charity partners and sponsors. More than 90% of runners who participated in a survey said they would run the race again! And they will have that chance - - the 4th annual Rhythm and Blues Houston will be held on Sunday, February 15, 2015 - - same great location, However we re excited to add a third event; the Quarter Marathon. The event will be featuring: Popular Musical Tie- in: Runs with music themes are becoming wildly popular throughout the country. 7500 Runners: If other race experiences are a good predictor, nearly 7500 runners could participate in the fourth annual Rhythm and Blues Events. Fitness Focus: Getting fit and staying that way is an in thing to do and a great thing to be associated with. With a little training, anyone can run a 5K and the half marathon is very popular. Charity Tie- Ins: Running for charity gives runners a great. And, there are five ways for charities to raise funds. The title sponsor can bring in a charity of choice, with a guaranteed donation of $40,000 to that organization. Reach your target: Key sponsors are featured in advertising buys of up to $25,000; 100,000 flyers, brochures and posters; social media; website and internet. Unique Course: The run begins in downtown Houston s historic Sam Houston Park and takes you down Allen Parkway, with loops for all events - - great for sponsor impressions, runners and spectators. Great Distances: The half marathon has become more popular than the full marathon. Entrants in the half make up over 75% of full and half entrants We re launching the Quarter Marathon in Houston and the 5K still attracts! Rhythm and Blues: At the start, finish and in- between, runners and spectators alike will have the opportunity to be entertained by 10 bands playing R&B, one of the most popular music genres today.
Why Rhythm and Blues? R&B makes running fun! R&B is uniquely American, born of the creativity of the 30, 40s & 50s It s an array an array of jump and club blues, rock and roll, doo- wop, soul, Motown, funk, disco and rap It contains undertones of jazz, gospel and country style music This sophisticated music which has origins in the 1930's growing from the blues meeting urban beats The term Rhythm and Blues was originally coined in 1949 Today it is one of the most popular musical styles amongst all people It adds to the event! Running to music is one of the biggest trends in runs today 10 hot R&B bands drawn from throughout Texas Music at both the start and finish lines Bands are strategically located around the course to help the runners revive, focus and enjoy Rocking tunes keep everyone up beat and having a good time
The Course The Rhythm and Blues Houston begins in downtown Houston s historic Sam Houston Park. This familiar route undergoes a transformation as R&B bands line the course. Also pep squads and volunteers create an electrifying, festive environment every step of the way for both half marathoners and 5K participants. It s a double loop course for the half marathoners and a single loop for the quarter marathon and 5K; a great benefit for spectators to cheer on their loved ones! ½ Marathon= Double Loop ¼ Marathon= Single Loop
Charity Partners Houston is a city with a big heart. We love helping each other. The Rhythm and Blues Half Marathon and 5K invites runners to make every step count by raising money for a local charity. Charities are invited to use our event as a great new fundraiser and join us as: Featured Performers The title sponsor will nominate the event s #1 charity, and it will receive a guaranteed $40,000. The 5K sponsor also will nominate a charity that will receive a guaranteed $20,000. Trumpet Participants raise funds the traditional way - - running for the cause. They collect pledges, solicit sponsors, build teams and create challenges. All funds raised go directly to the charity. We provide the charity with additional benefits through rebates, registration discounts, post race party area, cheer station and charity recognition on our Website and Face book page. Sax Each paid corporate team can designate charity as the team s beneficiary. The charity will receive $250 of the team s entry fee. There is no limit to the number of teams a business can form. Each team will consist of 10 participants. Guitar Charities raffle goods or services donated by our sponsors to raise funds. They post raffle information and buying opportunities on their website and get to keep the raffle proceeds. In return, charities provide volunteers who must be at least 14 years of age. Each charity s group will work together - - same duty, same general location, same time and each member will receive a collector T- shirt.
Drums Ah, the Drum solo, one of our favorite parts of the concert. Groups gather at a predetermined location and provide their own unique and creative brand of enthusiasm and are contestants in the Drum Contest, where the group s spirit will be judged by a specially chosen committee that will award $1000, $750, and $500 to the charities cheerleaders with the most spirit.
The Runner: An Attractive Target Runners from 31 states participated in the third annual Rhythm and Blues Half Marathon and 5K. There are over 37 million runners in the U.S., and 11 million of them run at least 100 times per year. What do we know about them? Runners spend $125 billion on health- related goods and services 16 million runners have a household income of $75,000 or more In 2007, runners spent $8.5 billion on their sport with $2 billion going to the purchase of footwear; 30% of runners buy 4 or more pairs of shoes per year The average age of male runners is 27-31 years old The average age of female runners is 23-26 years old Nearly 55% hold a college degree versus the national average of 33% 43% of runners have been at the sport for over 10 years 21% have been running for over 20 years Male Long Distance Runners Average Age: 45 years old 54% are married 76% males had 2006 Household income of $75,000 or more 80% have college degree. 37% have post- graduate degree Favorite Race Distances: Half- Marathon, Marathon, 10K Female Long Distance Runners Average age: 39 years old 62% are married 64% females had 2006 Household income of $75,000 or more 79% have college degree and 42% have post- graduate degree Favorite Race Distances: Half- Marathon, 5K, 10K Statistics from USA Running.org
Title Sponsor- $50,000 Exclusives Named as official half/quarter marathon title sponsor Top billing in all advertising, printed materials, websites, and signage Executive speaks at half start, post- race party and presents half awards Sponsor selects race s #1 charity partner; charity to receive a minimum of $40,000 Sponsor presents 12 registration events various locations throughout Houston Industry exclusivity and right of first refusal on regional or national events Logo on race bib with the Rhythm & Blues logo Prominent logo and sole position on the front of Half entry shirts Exclusive horizontal position on finish line tower banner Logo in top position at large Houston Marathon Expo booth, January 2015, exposure to 60,000 Opportunities Executive announces event with organizer, City and Chamber officials and Charities 50 complimentary entries for each race Celebrity appearances to be arranged at sponsor business locations Sponsor promotional items to be included in race packets Visibility Lead positioning in print and broadcast ads valued at $25,000 and all press releases Name or logo included in an estimated 100,000 brochures, flyers, and posters distributed throughout Texas Logo on the website, e- blast marketing, social media and on- line ad buys Full website banner ad on all pages of event website Website homepage side bar for sponsor promotional products or service Shared position on back of 5K and official volunteer event shirts Six sponsor provided (3' x 6') banners can be displayed at race site Eight sandwich boards with sponsor logo in finish line chute Finish line chute banners to include event logo 10' x 10' booth provided during fitness expo or packet pick- up Prime booth space during post- race and awards party
5k Sponsor- $30,000 Exclusives Named as official 5K sponsor 5k logo includes sponsor logo and is displayed on all ads and materials Sponsor logo has sole position on the front of 5K entry shirts Sponsor selects 5k charity partner; charity to receive a minimum of $20,000 Sponsor has Industry exclusivity and right of first refusal on 5K regional or national events Prime Vertical position on Finish Line Tower Logo prominent at 12 registration events at Memorial Park, exposure to 30,000 per weekend Logo displayed at large Houston Marathon Expo booth, January 2013, exposure to 60,000 Opportunities Executive participates in PR event with organizer, City and Chamber officials and Charities Sponsor selects one charity to receive $20,000 Twenty- five complimentary entries for each race Post- race recognition by celebrity MC during awards and prize festivities Celebrity appearances to be arranged at sponsor business locations Sponsor promotional items to be included in race packets Visibility Recognition in print and broadcast ads valued at up to $12,500. Name and/or logo included in an estimated 100,000 brochures, flyers, and posters distributed throughout Texas and in all press releases Logo on the website, e- blast marketing, social media and on- line ad buys Shared logo position on the back of Half and official volunteer shirts Website homepage side bar for sponsor promotional products or service Full website banner ad on all pages of event website Six sponsor provided (3' x 6') banners can be displayed at race site Six sandwich boards with sponsor logo in finish line chute Finish line chute banners to include event logo 10' x 10' booth provided during fitness expo or packet pick- up Prime booth space during post- race and awards party Event logo on finish line vertical tower banners
Awards & Post- Race Party- $10,000 Exclusives Named official award sponsor of The Rhythm and Blues Houston Special Sponsor post- race recognition by celebrity MC for awards and prize festivities Opportunities Promote the event within your business, with customers and link to the race web site Fifteen complimentary entries for each race Opportunity for company promotional items to be included in race packets Visibility Sponsor logo in $7,000 in advertising Name or logo included in an estimated 100,000 brochures, flyers, and posters distributed throughout Texas Recognition in all press releases, ads, flyers and materials Shared logo position on the back of 5K, Half and official volunteer shirt Post- race recognition by celebrity MC for awards and prize festivities Logo on the website, e- blast marketing, social media and on- line ad buy and website banner advertisement and on all pages of the Rhythm and Blues Half Marathon website Website side bar available for company promotional products or service Event logo on finish line vertical tower banners Finish line chute banners to include event logo 10' x 10' booth provided during fitness expo or packet pick- up Prime booth space during post- race and awards party
Media Sponsor- Donates In- Kind Media Visibility Named as official media sponsor of The Rhythm and Blues Houston Media plan for visibility in market developed and approved by sponsor and organizer Sponsor name/logo included in an estimated 100,000 brochures, flyers, and posters distributed throughout Texas Additional marketing and promotional opportunities to be developed by sponsor and event promoter Appearances Opportunity for media personality to MC post- race awards and prize festivities Media celebrity appearance at special events and MCs all official events Fifteen complimentary entries for each race Presence Sponsor logo included in all e- blast marketing, social media and on- line ad buys Logo on website banner ad on all pages of Rhythm and Blues Half Marathon & 5K website Shared logo position on the back of 5K, Half and official volunteer shirt Link to the race website on the sponsor website Opportunities Media outlet included in advertising buy for race Sponsor provided (3' x 6') banners can be displayed at race site Event logo on Finish Line tower vertical banners Prime booth space available during post- race and awards party Opportunity for company promotional items to be included in race packets Promote the event within your business and to your customers
R&B Band Sponsor- $10,000 Exclusives Named official Band sponsor of The Rhythm and Blues Houston Sponsor provided (3' x 6') banners displayed by each band Opportunities Promote the event within your business, with customers and link to the race web site Fifteen complimentary entries for each race Opportunity for company promotional items to be included in race packets Visibility Sponsor logo in $7,000 in advertising Name or logo included in an estimated 100,000 brochures, flyers, and posters distributed throughout Texas Recognition in all press releases, ads, flyers and materials Shared logo position on the back of 5K, Half and official volunteer shirts Post- race recognition by celebrity MC for awards and prize festivities Logo on the website, e- blast marketing, social media and on- line ad buy and website banner advertisement and on all pages of The Rhythm and Blues Half Marathon website Website side bar available for company promotional products or service Event logo on finish line vertical tower banners Finish line chute banners to include event logo 10' x 10' booth provided during fitness expo or packet pick- up Prime booth space during post- race and awards party
Costume Sponsor- $10,000 Exclusives Named official Costume sponsor of The Rhythm and Blues Houston Special post- race costume sponsor recognition at awards and prize festivities Opportunities Promote the event within your business, with customers and link to the race web site Fifteen complimentary entries for each race Opportunity for company promotional items to be included in race packets Visibility Sponsor logo in $7,000 advertising campaign Name or logo included in an estimated 100,000 brochures, flyers, and posters distributed throughout Texas Recognition in all press releases, ads, flyers and materials Shared logo position on the back of 5K, Half and official volunteer shirts Logo on the website, e- blast marketing, social media and on- line ad buy and website banner advertisement and on all pages of Rhythm and Blues Houston website Website side bar available for company promotional products or service Event logo on finish line vertical tower banners Sponsor provided (3' x 6') banners displayed on course Finish line chute banners to include event logo 10' x 10' booth provided during fitness expo or packet pick- up Prime booth space during post- race and awards party
In- Kind, Water Stop & Goody Bag Sponsors In- Kind Sponsor Valued At Level of Participation Benefits Sponsor signage at the donated goods location and post- rave recognition Sponsor logo and website link on official Rhythm and Blues Half Marathon & 5K website Sponsor promotional items to be included in race packets Event logo on finish line vertical tower banners Sponsor provided (3' x 6') banner can be displayed at race site Five complimentary entries for each race Promote the event within your business, with customers and link to the race web sit Water Stop Sponsor $2,500 Benefits Opportunity to decorate and man the water stop Sponsor logo and website link on official Rhythm and Blues Half Marathon & 5K website Opportunity for company promotional items to be included in race packets Event logo on finish line vertical tower banners Sponsor provided (3' x 6') banner can be displayed at race site Five complimentary entries for each race Promote the event within your business, with customers and link to the race web site Goody Bag Sponsor $1,500 Benefits Sponsor log and race logo on estimated 7,500 bags given to participants at packet pick- up Sponsor logo and website link on official Rhythm and Blues Half Marathon & 5K website Sponsor promotional items to be included in race packets Sponsor may have informational/promotional booth at the post- event party Promote the event within your business, with customers and link to the race web site
Rhythm & Blues Sponsorship Form Half /Quarter Marathon Premier Title Sponsor 50,000 5k Sponsor $30,000 Awards $10,000 R&B Band $10,000 Water Stop $2,500 Media Costume $10,000 In- Kind Goodie Bag $1500 Sponsor Company/Organization Name Sponsor Contact Name (Print) Title Address City State Zip Phone Mobile Email Website URL (for promotion) Sponsor Authorized Signature Checks should be made payable to: Rhythm &Blues Racing LLC Return to: Raymond Cooper, Rhythm and Blues Racing, 6426 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007 Phone: 713-409- 8954 Email: coop@rhythmandblueshalfmarathon.com