The Engadin Ski Marathon is getting ready for the future and is launching extensive innovations. In 2015, a new start mode, a new marathon village and a new starting area for the women's run will be introduced. These changes for the benefit of participants are accompanied by a new sponsorship concept and a new visual identity.
Engadin Ski Marathon is getting ready for the future. Hustle and bustle at the start and backlogs from ascents and bottlenecks between Champfèr and Pontresina have been part of the Engadin Ski Marathon for years. In order to reduce them, block start was introduced in five packages back in 1993. In the interest of the participants, the Engadin Ski Marathon is now going one step further: From 2015, the marathon will start in fourteen blocks with an interval of five minutes. The smaller runner blocks allow for a quieter start.
The larger time staggering also draws the field far apart from the start. Traffic jams on the route are thus further reduced.
However, the changes for marathon participants start even before the start of Switzerland's biggest race: Start number distribution and marathon village need a new location due to the redesign of the St. Moritz Kurpark. Various options are being examined. The considerations focus on improvements for runners and optimised presentation opportunities for sponsoring partners.
A new start for the women's run
The women's run from Samedan to S-chanf is also being implemented in the interest of the participants: The women's run will now be launched in the “Promulins” sports arena at Samedan station. Promulins is easier to reach for runners arriving by public transport, and the space available takes account of the ongoing growth of the number of participants. The women's run attracts over 1,000 runners one week before the marathon and continues to grow in popularity.
New sponsorship concept and appearance
The Engadin Ski Marathon is also taking a step into the future in terms of marketing and communication: In 2015, a new sponsorship concept will be introduced, under which Helvetia will act as a “presenting sponsor” of the Engadin Ski Marathon for the first time. In addition, a maximum of four main sponsors and eight co-sponsors are involved. Coop continues its long-standing commitment at main sponsor level; Odlo has now been won over as main sponsor and clothing partner.
All other sponsorship contracts are currently being renegotiated and the talks are very positive.
With the new sponsorship concept, the Engadin Ski Marathon is also redesigning its visual presence: The St. Moritz Agency Spot advertising created a completely new, modern corporate design and will launch the new website next April, which is optimized to meet the needs of mobile devices, among other things.
qualification
The adjusted qualification rules for the new 14 starting blocks of the Engadin Ski Marathon are available at www.engadin-skimarathon.ch retrievable.
gartmann.biz manages the media operations of the Engadin Ski Marathon.