Priority Health Joins Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon

Priority Health signs as International and U.S. Half Marathon sponsor

DETROIT–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today, the Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon announced a
new partnership with Priority Health, a Michigan-based non-profit health
plan. For the 2016 year, Priority Health will serve as the title sponsor
of the International and U.S.-only Half Marathons.

“We are thrilled to have Priority Health as the official sponsor of the
Half Marathons. As Michigan’s second largest health plan, Priority
Health is well-known for being a leader in health and wellness; making
their support a perfect fit for a race that truly changes lives of new
and seasoned runners alike,” said Barbara Bennage, executive race
director of the Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon.

The Priority Health International and U.S.-only Half Marathons are the
fastest growing races in the Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon’s
event series. When the international half marathon first started,
approximately 3,000 runners registered. The race grew to more than
10,000 before a U.S.-only component was added in 2012. Last year, the
half marathons hit a record number of nearly 17,000 registrants. The
registration for the half marathons is currently up 5 percent for the
2016 race.

“Being part of this premiere running event in Detroit underscores our
commitment as an organization to improve the health and lives of
individuals we serve across Michigan,” said Gene Cronin, vice president,
marketing and corporate communications for Priority Health.

Priority Health has a long history of offering events and programs
designed to engage individuals in their health. A perfect example of
this work is the Priority Health Champions program. Open to anyone, the Champions
program is a support network for active individuals, looking to improve
their health and willing to share their story. The program not only
provides the perk of being part of a growing team attending events
across Michigan, it also offers incentives like free gear and race
entries to keep everyone inspired and moving. You can learn more about
the Champions program by visiting thinkhealth.priorityhealth.com.

The Priority Health International Half Marathon takes runners across the
Ambassador Bridge at sunrise, through Windsor to the Detroit-Windsor
Tunnel and the race’s famous “underwater mile,” then through Corktown,
Mexicantown and Campus Martius. The Priority Health U.S.-only race
offers a look at some of Detroit’s most famous neighborhoods and
attractions as it starts downtown then guides runners through Indian
Village, around Belle Isle, down the RiverWalk and back to the finish on
Fort Street.

Registration for the Priority Health U.S.-only Half Marathon is open
through Oct. 10. For more information about the Detroit Free
Press/Talmer Bank Marathon, visit freepmarathon.com
or follow the Marathon on Facebook at facebook.com/detroitmarathon
or Twitter @freepmarathon.
For more information about Priority Health, visit priorityhealth.com.

About Michigan.com:

The Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon is owned and operated by
Michigan.com. Michigan.com reaches the largest and most engaged consumer
base in Michigan, and provides unmatched resources to help businesses
activate new customers. For more than 180 years, our respected and
trusted news and information brands have been the first choice of
Michigan residents and businesses. We offer more than 60 multi-platform
products and services to help businesses reach, engage and activate
Michigan consumers. Michigan.com, a Gannett Company, oversees Gannett’s
Michigan brands: Detroit Free Press, Lansing State Journal, Battle Creek
Enquirer, Port Huron Times Herald, Livingston County Daily Press & Argus
and Observer & Eccentric Media. Michigan.com manages the business
operations of The Detroit News under the terms of a federal Joint
Operating Agreement. It also is a sales representative for many national
digital partners, including Cars.com and CareerBuilder.com.

About Priority Health

Priority Health is an award-winning, Michigan-based non-profit health
plan nationally recognized for improving the health and lives of the
people it serves. It continues to lead the industry in engaging members
in their health, delivering effective health and disease management
programs and working with physicians to improve health care outcomes and
performance. Priority Health is one of only 20 health plans nationwide
offering wellness programs accredited by the National Committee for
Quality Assurance, an organization which also rated it among the best
health plans in the nation. The State of Michigan named the Priority
Health HMO the benchmark plan for all individual and group HMO plans to
model.

Priority Health offers a broad portfolio of health benefit options for
employer groups and individuals, including Medicare and Medicaid plans.
Its network of health care providers features 95 percent of practicing
physicians available in Michigan and more than 900,000 health care
providers nationwide.

Contacts

Priority Health
Amy Miller, 616-464-8571
or
Detroit Free
Press/Talmer Bank Marathon
Matt Scodellaro, 313-222-2492