Cigna Expands its Presenting Sponsorship with runDisney

  • Cigna returns as the presenting sponsor of the 2015 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend for the seventh consecutive year
  • Expanded, multi-year agreement also includes presenting sponsorship of the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. & ANAHEIM, Calif.--()--Cigna (NYSE:CI) has expanded its sponsorship with runDisney through a multi-year agreement to serve as the presenting sponsor of the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend and Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend.

“Cigna and runDisney share a commitment to inspire healthy living and active lifestyles across all ages and fitness levels,” said Lisa Bacus, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer at Cigna. “runDisney’s stature as one of the most respected race series in the nation gives Cigna and our customers and employees the opportunity to showcase our passion for community service. At the same time, we’ve been able to share inspiring personal stories of the customers, military veterans and so many others who have been part of our runDisney teams.”

For Cigna employees, runDisney events have become an opportunity to come together to serve as guides for athletes with disabilities and raise money for non-profit organizations they support. For many employees, it has also represented a milestone in their own healthy lifestyle journey.

“After suffering a stroke at age 32, I vowed to myself, my wife and my newborn daughter that I would make changes to maintain a healthy lifestyle,” said Peter Chuchro, a Cigna employee who was one of three employees who earned entry into the 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. “Finishing my first-ever marathon symbolized how far I’d come as well as a promise kept to myself and my family.”

Among the initiatives Cigna launched at the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, Cigna sponsored athletes from Achilles International, an organization that provides athletic opportunities for people with disabilities, including military veterans and children with autism.

“After being diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease at the age of 14, I never imagined I would be able to run, let alone finish a race,” said Jodi Stout, Cigna long-term disability customer and Achilles International athlete. “Thanks to the Cigna customer referral program and Achilles, I completed the Disney Family Fun Run 5K with the help of a Cigna employee who guided me throughout the race. Crossing the finish line gave me a sense of accomplishment and inspired me to pursue more races in the future.”

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, which attracts more than 100,000 participants and spectators from all over the world, is one of the largest events held in Central Florida and is among the largest marathon race weekends in the United States. Runners of all ages and skill levels take part in a variety of family-friendly events and races, including Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge (running the half marathon and the full marathon on consecutive days), Walt Disney World Marathon, Walt Disney World Half Marathon, Walt Disney World 10K, Dopey Challenge (running the 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon on consecutive days), Family Fun Run 5K and runDisney Kid's Races.

About Cigna

Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has approximately 85 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.

About runDisney

runDisney, one of the largest race organizers in the nation, hosts a series of nine event weekends providing runners unique opportunities to run various distances through Disney theme parks. Race participants earn Disney-themed medals, experience legendary Disney entertainment and guest service and ultimately celebrate their accomplishments with a Disney vacation. The original event in the series, the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna, takes place in January followed by the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in February, Expedition Everest Challenge in May, the Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror 10-Miler in October and the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend in November. Disneyland hosts the Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend presented by Sierra Nevada Corporation in January, the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend presented by PANDORA Jewelry in May, the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna during Labor Day Weekend and the Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend in November. More than 163,900 running enthusiasts participate in runDisney events each year. For more information, visit www.runDisney.com and follow us on Facebook (runDisney), Twitter @runDisney and Instagram.

Contacts

Cigna Corporation
Lauren Moyer, 215-761-3647
Lauren.Moyer@cigna.com
www.twitter.com/cigna

Release Summary

Cigna Expands its Presenting Sponsorship with runDisney

Contacts

Cigna Corporation
Lauren Moyer, 215-761-3647
Lauren.Moyer@cigna.com
www.twitter.com/cigna