www.HartfordBusiness.com • November 13, 2017 • Hartford Business Journal 3
Newsmakers
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BUSINESS JOURNAL
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Income tax deduction
elimination a threat to CT
"For any blue state, this is a
huge, huge hit for middle-class
taxpayers."
State Department of Revenue
Services Commissioner
Kevin Sullivan reacting to
Republicans' proposal to eliminate the state and local
income tax deduction as part of its federal tax reform
package.
Bertolini's potshot
at Hartford
"We have offices all over the
country. Hartford is no longer our
largest employee base."
Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini
quoted during an investor's
conference about his desire to
move and locate employees in cities and states he
views as having a better quality of life.
Beth Shluger | CEO, Hartford Marathon Foundation
By John Stearns
jstearns@HartfordBusiness.com
Beth Shluger, who founded the Hartford Marathon
Foundation (HMF) in 1994 and served as race director for
the Eversource Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon for
the past 24 years, caught her breath to answer some ques-
tions on the heels of another successful event last month.
The Oct. 14 race pumped an estimated $14.5 million
into Greater Hartford — a strong kick by any measure
— not including HMF's $1 million budget to produce
the event. It drew 10,000 runners across the Marathon,
Half Marathon, Team 26.2 Relay and Charity 5K and
children's race. Pending final numbers, the race appears
to have raised $500,000-plus for charity.
While the marathon costs $1 million to operate, HMF's
budget is $3 million as it produces 31 events in Connecti-
cut, Rhode Island and western Massachusetts. HMF, a
nonprofit with a staff of six full-time and eight part-time
employees, depends on donations, sponsorships and in-
kind product donations to make it all happen.
HMF plans special events to mark next year's 25th
running of the marathon, on Oct. 13, said Shluger, who
runs to stay in shape.
What's the biggest challenge facing HMF?
Funding, especially as the growth spurt in the run-
ning industry has leveled off. We incur costs for a high
level of service (medical, safety, organizational, etc.) that
we won't compromise on.
What's the biggest opportunity facing HMF?
To reach more people, particularly kids, and get
them outdoors and moving. The HMF FitKids in School
program, in its 10th year, has served more than 15,000
students, supporting their training and then celebrating
them for crossing the finish line. The program is free to
schools through individual donations (matched by Aetna)
and other sponsors, including the United Bank Founda-
tion and Newman's Own Foundation.
What's the competitive landscape for sponsorships to
put on an event of this magnitude?
HMF events offer companies a unique opportunity for
their sponsorship dollars to support employee engage-
ment, community involvement and high brand visibility
— all wrapped around the positive benefits of health
and fitness. We're fortunate to have about 75 companies
supporting the marathon, led by Eversource.
Tell use something about you people may not know.
I was a wine sommelier and sous chef earlier in my
career.
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