GNC Franchises Announce Tobacco Road Half-Marathon Title Sponsorship

News provided by

Tobacco Road Marathon Association (TRMA)

Oct 21, 2014, 12:47 ET

CARY, N.C., Oct. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- GNC franchises in the Triangle Area of North Carolina announced today a title sponsorship of the Tobacco Road Half-Marathon, the sister event to the Allscripts Tobacco Road Marathon (TRM) presented by Inside-Out Sports. The franchises are located in Holly Springs, Park West Village of Morrisville and North Hills of Raleigh.

"Working with the Tobacco Road Marathon team is perfect because we share their values of charity, local community and owning your health," says GNC franchise owner Laura Dalton. "It's awesome the TRM events will reach one half million dollars in charity in 2015 and we will be a part of it."

"Laura's local GNC franchise business has been in the Raleigh area for 12 years," says Jon Flaherty, TRM sales director. "She and her team are committed to the local community and reach out to kids, senior citizens and everyone through health education programs."

The announcement builds on earlier TRM moves to strengthen its charitable efforts through social networking efforts with its presence on Facebook and Twitter. Dalton's stores will also carry the message through their Facebook page.

"GNC is an iconic national brand and Laura brings the local community aspect which is so important," says TRM President, Founder and ten-time Boston Marathon Qualifier Kazem Yahyapour. "Like Laura's team we are about reaching out to the best nature of runners everywhere. We have an all-volunteer staff that gives 100% of event proceeds to charity."

Runner's World Magazine named TRM one of America's top marathons in 2014. The TRM events are a favorite of runners because it is conducted on the American Tobacco Trail, the fastest, flattest course in North Carolina and the average high temperatures of its March 15, 2015 date are a performance-enhancing 51 degrees Fahrenheit. Ten percent of TRM runners qualify for the Boston Marathon. See a video capturing the excitement at the TRM YouTube Channel.

All TRM proceeds go to charities: JDRF, the Wounded Warrior Project, the American Red Cross and the Rails to Trails Conservancy as well as Wake County Parks and Recreation.

The Tobacco Road Marathon Association is a non-profit organization dedicated with its sponsors to providing financial assistance to its partner charities by channeling the passions of the North Carolina Triangle area's running community into a powerful force for good.

Contact: Mark Dill: 919-949-9263
Kazem Yahyapour: 919-280-9737

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SOURCE Tobacco Road Marathon Association (TRMA)