SPONSORS AND MEDIA SUPPORT 2017 DMSE SPORTS CLASSIC PRESENTED BY AETNA, CELEBRITY MILE, HALF MARATHON, 10K, 5K, and KIDS’ EVENTS

Strong Sponsorship Supporting DMSE Sports Classic Weekend, July 22-23, 2017

BOSTON — The 2017 edition of the DMSE Sports Classic presented by Aetna and its popular “Celebrity Mile” exhibition race are receiving strong support from local and national sponsors in addition to having commitments from a virtual “Who’s Who” of the Greater Boston-area media who will cover and participate in the weekend events, scheduled for July 22-23, 2017. Runners can visit www.dmseclassic.com to secure more info on the weekend.

Aetna, a leader in the next generation of health care, is signed as the presenting sponsor of the event, while Fuddruckers restaurants is the presenting sponsor for the “Celebrity Mile” and Kids’ Runs on Saturday, July 22. In addition, Greater Boston Running Company is the official running store partner and will activate its association with the DMSE Sports Classic by supporting running club and social media outreach leading up the race weekend. On-site vendors supporting the post-race party include Muscle Milk, DRINKMaple, and Yasso, a low-calorie frozen drink popular with the running community.

“We appreciate the loyal support of both our event sponsors and the local celebrities and media who come out, share their time with us, and participate in the Classic,” said Dave McGillivray, DMSE Sports Classic race director. “The support of our sponsors, event vendors, and many volunteers makes it possible to stage a first-class running event, and I couldn’t be more grateful. The Classic is shaping up to once again be a stellar weekend of events.”

“As a longtime supporter of Dave McGillivray’s efforts in overseeing sports and road racing events, Aetna is proud to present the 2017 DMSE Sports Classic as part of our goal to be a trusted health partner to the New England community,” said Karen S. Lynch, President, Aetna.  “The Classic is an important event that shows the benefits of corporate wellness programs and encourages an active, healthy lifestyle.”

Adding to the festivities at the 2017 DMSE Sports Classic will be a number of local media participating in the “Celebrity Mile”, including WBZ-TV’s Lisa Hughes and Eric Fisher; WHDH-TV’s Steve Cooper; Boston Herald’s Steve Buckley; WROR’s Hank Morse; Lawrence Eagle Tribune’s Bill Burt; WMUR-TV’s Jamie Staton; WBUR’s Shira Springer along with Erin O’Malley and Sue Brady of MIX 104.1.

Last summer, McGillivray brought back the “Celebrity Mile” after a 32-year absence from running events in the Greater Boston area. A complete list of the celebrities scheduled to participate is included at the bottom of the release. The celebrity race is scheduled for July 22 at 11 a.m.

“On behalf of the four Fuddruckers restaurants in Massachusetts, and especially our North Andover location right across from the race, we’re proud to be associated with the DMSE Sports Classic as presenting sponsor of the annual 'Celebrity Mile' and the Kids’ Runs, which are such a popular part of the race weekend,” said Jim Boland, Fuddruckers Massachusetts Franchisee. “The DMSE Classic and its fundraising efforts over the years exemplifies the community outreach that fits perfectly with Fuddruckers’ mission to serve our customers. We enjoy our association with Dave McGillivray and the race weekend.”

Participants will be able to mingle with running industry icons including Bart Yasso, the chief running officer at Runner’s World magazine, and 1968 Boston Marathon winner, Amby Burfoot, the longtime editor at Runner’s World, who will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of his feat next April.

The weekend-long DMSE Sports Classic is open to runners of all levels with entries possible in each or all of the various running events, including the half marathon, 10K, and 5K races, or a runner can earn the “Hat Trick” medal with completion of all three. Other runners choose to do the “Five and Dime” and can earn a medal for running the 5K and 10K races. There are also kids’ fun run races on Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

Registration is open. Runners can visit www.dmseclassic.com or click on the link provided for direct connection to registration HERE.

About DMSE Sports

Founded by Dave McGillivray in 1981, DMSE is a well-recognized leader in sports event management, specializing in creating, marketing, and producing mass participatory athletic events throughout the United States and abroad. DMSE works with the B.A.A. operations team in overseeing the logistics and technical operations of the B.A.A. Boston Marathon and also manages the TD Beach to Beacon in Maine; the New Balance Falmouth Road Race on Cape Cod; the Finish at the 50 at Patriot Place; the Feaster Five; the Bellin Run in Green Bay, Wisconsin, among others. For additional information on McGillivray and DMSE Sports, please visit DMSESports.com or the pages on Facebook and Twitter.

CELEBRITY MILE ENTRANTS

  • Billy Evans, Boston Police Commissioner

  • Adrianne Haslet, Boston Marathon Survivor

  • Tom Grilk, B.A.A. Executive Director

  • Steve Cooper, Ch. 7 News Reporter

  • Max Lane, Former New England Patriots Offensive Lineman

  • Eric Fisher, Ch. 4 Chief Meteorologist

  • Lisa Hughes, Ch. 4 News Anchor

  • John Young, Elite Little Person Paratriathlete/Marathoner

  • Dan Koh, Boston Mayor’s Office – Chief of Staff

  • Bart Yasso, Runner’s World Chief Running Officer

  • Jeremy Gibson, Merrimack College Athletic Director

  • Erin Hamlen, Merrimack College’s Women’s Hockey Head Coach

  • Mark Dennehy, Merrimack College Men’s Hockey Head Coach

  • Bill Burt, Lawrence Eagle Tribune Sports Reporter

  • David Brown, Former Meteorologist Ch. 5 – Chief Advancement Officer for Massachusetts Association for the Blind

  • Jeff Bauman, Boston Marathon Survivor

  • Dick Hoyt, Father of Team Hoyt

  • Karen Smyers, Ironman Triathlon World Champion

  • Becca Pizzi, World Marathon Challenge Champion

  • Steve Buckley, Boston Herald Sports Columnist

  • Dan Clark, Massachusetts State Trooper – The Singing Trooper

  • Bill Richard, Martin Richard Charitable Foundation

  • Hank Morse, WROR – Radio Personality – Loren and Wally Show

  • Brian Bell, WROR – Producer – Loren and Wally Show

  • Jamie Staton, Ch. 9 Sports Anchor/Director (Manchester NH)

  • Jack Fultz, 1976 Boston Marathon Winner

  • Scott & Jack Middlemiss, Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation

  • Sunita Williams, American Astronaut

  • Coach Bill Squires, Coach to Greater Boston Track Club and numerous Olympians

  • Shira Springer, WBUR/NPR Reporter

  • Bob Sweeney, Executive Director Boston Bruins Foundation

  • Charlie Helfrich, New Hampshire Special Olympics Silver Medalist

  • Amby Burfoot, Runner’s World Writer at Large & 1968 Boston Marathon Winner

  • Erin O’Malley, Mix 104.1 Host

  • Sue Brady, Mix 104.1 Host

  • David Silk, Member of 1980 U.S.A. Olympic Gold Medal Hockey Team

  • Diana Nyad, Champion Long Distance Swimmer

  • Carlos Arredondo, Boston Marathon bombing responder