10 PHILADELPHIA, PA: THE PENN Relays, one of the most historic and prestigious track & field events in the world, is excited to announce a new partnership with America250, the national non-partisan organisation charged by Congress to lead the nationwide celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. America250 will present the 130th running of the Penn Relays, taking place April 23-25, 2026, at Franklin Field on the University of Pennsylvania campus. Under the agreement, the event will formally be titled the 2026 Penn Relays, celebrating with America250. For more than a century, the Penn Relays have been a cornerstone of athletic achievement and community spirit in track & field, bringing together athletes from around the world across ages, competitive levels, cultures, and nationalities. Each year, more than 100,000 fans gather in Philadelphia to watch over 17,000 athletes compete in race categories for youth, high school, Special Olympics, collegiate, masters, and Olympic Development. This global competition and celebration of sport has made the Penn Relays one of the most beloved traditions in track & field, uniting generations of athletes and fans through a shared passion for athletic excellence. Philadelphia, the birthplace of American democracy, serves as the perfect stage for this collaboration, highlighting how sport, history, and community intersect to inspire the next generation of athletes. The partnership comes at a particularly meaningful time, as the 130th running of the Penn Relays coincides with the nation’s 250th anniversary, when the city will host numerous celebratory and impactful sporting events. Both milestones reflect legacies that are deeply rooted in tradition and strengthened by the diversity of the communities they represent. By coming together, the 2026 Penn Relays, celebrating with America250, recognise these parallel values, honouring both milestones while bringing people together through sport at a beloved and enduring athletic event. America250 will also participate in the Penn Relays’ full calendar of yearround events, including the Summer Showcase (July 2026), Homecoming Run (November 2026), and Winter Showcase (January 2027). This complements America250’s collaborations with other prominent sports organisations such as the National Football League (NFL), Super Bowl LX, Major League Baseball (MLB), and the National Basketball Association (NBA) and underscores the Penn Relays’ role as a powerful platform to connect athletes, fans, and communities across the nation. 2026 PHILADELPHIA, PA: THE PENN Relays, one of the most historic and prestigious track and field events in the world, has announced a multiyear renewal of its partnership with Swiss premium sportswear brand On. The agreement reaffirms On as the exclusive footwear and apparel sponsor of the Penn Relays as the event celebrates its 130th running at historic Franklin Field on the University of Pennsylvania campus from April 23-25. Each year, the Penn Relays bring together more than 100,000 fans and 17,000 athletes across youth, high school, Special Olympics, college, masters, and Olympic Development competition, creating one of the largest gatherings of the running community anywhere in the world. Building on a successful partnership initially launched in 2022, the multiyear renewal extends through the lead-up to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, a period of heightened attention and momentum for the sport. By joining forces again, the Penn Relays and On extend a relationship that combines top-tier competition and visibility with a performance-driven brand, reinforcing the natural alignment of both within the track and field landscape. “We are thrilled to continue our outstanding partnership with On as the Exclusive Footwear and Apparel Sponsor of the Penn Relays,” said Scott Ward, executive director of the Penn Relays. “The Penn Relays bring together athletes of all levels from all over the world. By combining two brands deeply committed to performance and the track and field community, this partnership continues to elevate the on-site experience while celebrating the sport at its very best.” On’s renewal strengthens integration across brand activations, athlete engagement, and community initiatives, building on the success of the previous partnership to deliver an even richer experience for fans and competitors alike. Central to the agreement is an expanded retail footprint, featuring two large-scale activations: one in the Carnival Village for fans and another in the Athlete Zone at Penn Park, where competitors warm up, prepare for, and recover from the intensity of competition. Matching partnership with performance, On’s involvement extends beyond activation through its elite On Athletic Club (OAC), a collective of world-class professional athletes who regularly compete on the Penn Relays stage. OAC’s presence reflects On’s deep integration within the Penn Relays and reinforces the brand’s credibility as a performance-driven company developing products tested and proven at the highest levels of the sport. “The Penn Relays is one of those special events in sport that has the power to unite generations of athletes across ages, disciplines, and origins,” said Dan Schade, GM of the Americas at On. “Stepping onto historic Franklin Field is a lot like reaching back through time, where you can feel the presence of the thousands of runners who have competed there since Penn was founded. Since partnering with Penn, we have seen the incredible impact this event has had and are thrilled to continue inspiring and supporting the next generation of athletes as they build their own legacies.” Beyond the Penn Relays, On’s partnership will also extend across additional Penn Relays-owned events including the annual Winter Showcase (January 31, 2026), Summer Showcase (July), and Homecoming Run (November). These touch points provide year-round visibility and engagement with a highly passionate and loyal Penn Relays running audience. Developed in collaboration with JMI Sports – the exclusive multimedia rights partner of Penn Athletics and the Penn Relays, operating locally as Penn Sports Properties – the partnership will also include a range of integrated multimedia assets to bring the brand to life in unique ways and connect with athletes and fans. “Over the last three years, our partnership with On has developed into an on-site experience that athletes and fans eagerly look forward to,” said Adam Donaldson, Senior vice-president, JMIS Properties at JMI Sports. “From listening to DJs at the retail activations, to watching OAC’s pro athletes compete on the track, to trialling the latest performance wear, On shows up in ways that authentically integrate its brand into the energy and excitement of the weekend. This partnership is a blueprint for true brand integration, and we are thrilled to see them return.” Tickets for the 2026 Penn Relays are on sale through Saturday morning, April 25, 2026, at the stadium box office. On returns to Penn Relays in multiyear deal Scott Ward, executive director of the Penn Relays. CONTRIBUTED Positions premium sportswear brand as exclusive footwear and apparel sponsor The Penn Relays Carnival/America250 partnership THE WEEKLY GLEANER | APRIL 16 - MAY 14, 2026 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com FEATURE
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUzNTI=