Pennsylvania American Water to Keep Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Runners Hydrated

MCMURRAY, Pa., April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania American Water announced today that it will provide water to the more than 19,000 runners participating in this year's Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, FedEx Ground Pittsburgh Marathon Relay, UPMC Health Plan/UPMC Sports Medicine Pittsburgh 5K Run and Toyota Of Pittsburgh Kids Marathon. As the official water sponsor for the third consecutive year, Pennsylvania American Water is also supplying reusable sports bottles for the runners and more than 300,000 paper cups at the water stations throughout the course.

"Pennsylvania American Water is proud to partner in an event that generates such an economic boost for the Greater Pittsburgh Region, where we've served customers for more than 100 years," said Pennsylvania American Water President Kathy L. Pape. "We are also excited for the opportunity to provide our refreshing, quality water to runners from across the country and around the world."

Pape added, "The event also showcases the value of tap water, which we're able to provide to the runners for about a penny per gallon."

Pennsylvania American Water will be working with marathon organizers and training expert Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, to provide hydration tips on the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon YouTube channel and linked to Pennsylvania American Water's Facebook page.

"Pennsylvania American Water's participation enables us to accommodate the largest field of runners in the event's history," said Marathon Director Patrice Matamoros. "The availability of water is essential to the success of our event and the overall well-being of our runners."

The company also will award runners and supporters fun prizes on Facebook. You can "follow" Pennsylvania American Water on Twitter @paamwater or become a Facebook fan at www.Facebook.com/pennsylvaniaamwater, and then look for posts and questions about your marathon involvement.  

Pennsylvania American Water reminds runners that consuming enough water is crucial to your health. Exercising or engaging in any activity that causes you to perspire and dehydrate increases your water requirement, as do heat and humidity or cold weather.

Athletes depend upon water's availability to stay hydrated. Studies have found that a loss of two or more percent of one's body weight due to sweating is linked to a drop in blood volume. When this occurs, the heart works harder to move blood through the bloodstream. This can also cause muscle cramps, dizziness and fatigue and related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and stroke.  

Pennsylvania American Water, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest publicly traded water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.2 million people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in more than 30 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

In 2011, American Water is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a year-long campaign to promote water efficiency and the importance of protecting water from source to tap. To learn more, visit www.amwater125.com.

SOURCE Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon

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