Garmin, the Olathe, Kansas, based leader in the GPS industry, has become the title sponsor of the marathon that literally starts in their home office parking lot.
Nestled in the suburbs of Kansas City, the now Garmin Marathon was formerly known as the Olathe Marathon and then the Oz Marathon.
Garmin provides many endurance athletes with the GPS running watches by which they live and die by for training and racing. Garmin started as a small company in Olathe and has grown to a juggernaut in the GPS industry in sports uses and beyond.
Many athletes have long wondered why the company that provides them the means to train has waited this long to step up and openly work with a marathon that starts in their parking lot.
The sponsorship and race renaming was posted on the Facebook Page of the race on 1/18/12. Some comments were in support and a handful of comments suggested Garmin should have played a major role in the event much earlier.
This addition to the event can only improve what usually is a solid event. Participants are hoping with the addition that they will have access to the Garmin building for shelter from less than desirable weather conditions and use of the toilet facilities.
Welcome, Garmin, to the party!
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