Goodyear Brands Philadelphia Marathon with Blue Tread
Goodyear is making its mark in its inaugural year as a Philadelphia Marathon sponsor, painting the runners’ route with a distinctive blue tire tread.
Goodyear will paint the 26.2-mile route through the city with a signature triple-tread pattern, using a replica six-foot tall Goodyear Forterera TripleTred tire to be towed along the race route over two nights preceding the race. Philadelphia Mayor John Street will drive the truck to start painting the line during a press conference in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Thursday.
“The last thing a marathoner wants to worry about is their shoes. The same thing with tires. That’s the connection,” said Goodyear spokesman Ed Markey. “This enables us to talk to consumers about the business in a way that’s credible.”
Goodyear retailers will be on hand to talk to marathon fans on race day, Nov. 18, as they hand out signs at a branded booth at the Health and Fitness Expo running simultaneously with the event. The placards will bear the Goodyear tagline “Get There” with space to print a name beneath the phrase.
A dozen Goodyear signs will dot the racecourse, promoting the company’s role as official tire of the marathon. Runners will receive coupons for discounts on tires in their “goodie bags.”
More than 50 Goodyear retailers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware are participating in the event with signage in their locations.
