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University Hospitals Sports Medicine official health care provider

CLEVELAND (April 1, 2016) – Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon officials have entered into an agreement and formally announced today the partnership of University Hospitals (UH) Sports Medicine as the official health care provider of the 39^th annual Cleveland Marathon.

As the official health care partner of the 2016 Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, University Hospitals Case Medical Center Sports Medicine physicians will be providing on site care for all runners and walkers participating in the Full, Half, 10K, 8K and 5K races.

The agreement details the new relationship between the entities and notes that UH will provide medical counsel and coverage for all the runners who annually brave the course along Lake Erie’s shoreline.

Dr. Jeffrey Luk has been selected as the medical director for the marathon and is looking forward to helping athletes complete the course competitively and safely.

“I am honored to be the medical director for the 2016 Cleveland Marathon,” said Luk. “We at University Hospitals have a fantastic multidisciplinary team who are all excited to provide medical staffing for the marathon. Our plan is to ensure a fun, and most importantly, safe marathon for all participants.”

University Hospitals’ plan for the event aligns well with the overall goal of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. 

“We pride ourselves on providing a safe and enjoyable experience for participants, family members and spectators,” said Ralph Staph, race director of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. “By partnering with University Hospitals, we are ensuring that our participants have access to top-notch care during the weekend’s events.”

The marathon will not be University Hospitals’ first involvement in Cleveland sports. University Hospitals became the official healthcare partner of the Browns in 2014, and have been responsible for providing medical care to players and their families as well as any urgent care required by fans at the Browns stadium. Additionally, last year the UH Sports Medicine team including Dr. Luk provided medical coverage for the 2015 Cleveland Triathlon. 

“University Hospitals Sports Medicine is proud to partner with the Cleveland Marathon to support this great event,” said James Voos, MD, Division Chief, Sports Medicine at UH Case Medical Center. “We are very excited to serve as a medical resource to assure that runners of all skill levels can train and participate in the race safely.”

One of the 50 oldest races in the country, the 2016 Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon will take place May 13-15. The following opportunities are available for people to participate in the event as a runner or walker: full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 8K, 5K and Kids' Run. The three challenge series combinations are also available.

Between 16,000-20,000 participants have competed in the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon weekend events for the past five years, and race organizers are expecting a similar number this year. Caps will be in place for all of the races, and runners and walkers are encouraged to register early to avoid a sold-out race. Rates and registration information can be found at www.clevelandmarathon.com.

About University Hospitals

University Hospitals, the second largest employer in Northeast Ohio with 25,000 employees, serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of 15 hospitals, 28 outpatient health centers and primary care physician offices in 15 counties. At the core of our $3.5 billion health system is University Hospitals Case Medical Center, ranked among America’s 50 best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report in all 12 methodology-ranked specialties. The primary affiliate of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, UH Case Medical Center is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research centers of excellence in the nation, including cancer, pediatrics, women's health, orthopaedics, radiology, neuroscience, cardiology and cardiovascular surgery, digestive health, transplantation and genetics. Its main campus includes UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, ranked among the top children’s hospitals in the nation; UH MacDonald Women's Hospital, Ohio's only hospital for women; and UH Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University. For more information, go to www.uhhospitals.org

About the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon

The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon is in its 39^th year of providing a fitness experience for all individuals who want to participate regardless of their abilities. The event offers a Kids’ Run, 5K, 8K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon – all of which participants can choose to run or walk. Nearly 450,000 runners have participated, generating more than $18 million annually to benefit the Cleveland community. www.clevelandmarathon.com

Mission Statement:

• To provide a running experience for all individuals who want to participate regardless of their abilities.
• To produce an event that highlights the Cleveland community and provides a positive economic impact for the community.
• To give charities an opportunity to benefit financially from the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 8K and 5K events.