Culligan International Announces Multi-Year Bank of America Chicago Distance Series Partnership

Partnership reduces single-use plastic water bottle use across all city's major running events while keeping participants sustainably hydrated

CHICAGO, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Culligan International, the global leader in water transformation, is pleased to announce a multi-year partnership as Supporting Sponsor of the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series. As a proud partner, Culligan provides filtered water in sustainable aluminum bottles at the finish line and via refilling stations at the three Chicago Distance Series events which include the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle, the Bank of America Chicago 13.1 and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

Together, Culligan and the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series will significantly reduce plastic pollution while ensuring runners stay hydrated with clean, great-tasting filtered water. The bespoke aluminum bottles are a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic bottles which pollute the environment and can take up to 450 years to break down. In 2024, Culligan effectively offset the use of 150,000 plastic water bottles at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and this broader partnership is set to build upon the success of its tangible, environmental impact. In 2025 alone, across the three races, Culligan and the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series will provide more than 200,000 aluminum bottles of water instead of plastic options.

"Culligan was founded in Chicago nearly 90 years ago and as we continue improving water quality for people here and around the world, it's meaningful to partner with events like those in the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series," said Scott Clawson, CEO, Culligan International. "This partnership showcases our mission in action. We're bringing cleaner, high-quality water to the local, national and international athletes who race in Chicago. And doing so in a way that reduces reliance on single-use plastic."

To effectively minimize single-use plastic at Bank of America Chicago Distance Series events, runners and spectators can expect the following efforts:

• Infinitely recyclable, co-branded aluminum bottles at the finish line for runners to reuse and recycle; aluminum has a 57% recycling rate – substantially higher than plastic's 29%
• Hydration stations for runners and fans to refill throughout the event sites to create sustainable behaviors
• Lightweight, collapsible, silicone cups that are easy-to-carry, fit seamlessly into pockets or running belts for use on race day and beyond

"We're excited to expand our partnership with Culligan as a supporting sponsor of the Bank of America Chicago Distance Series," said Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. "Sustainability has been a pillar of our events since 2010. Partnering with Culligan allows us to reduce our reliance on single use plastics and build on our sustainability initiatives by offering refillable, infinitely recyclable aluminum water bottles at all our event finish lines."

With global expertise in science, service, and sustainability, Culligan is committed to helping reduce environmental impact. The leader in water services and solutions, Culligan offers innovative options to enjoy cleaner, great-tasting water at home, at work and on the go. Partnerships such as this further demonstrate the company's leadership and commitment to providing the best water to all. 

Culligan International
Culligan makes a real difference to people and to the planet by providing clean, sustainable, great-tasting water and reducing reliance on single-use plastic. Culligan is one of the world's most recognized, trusted names in water, a reputation built through a legacy of trust, innovation, service, and quality. Founded in 1936, Culligan International operates in over 90 countries and has more than 15,000 employees worldwide. In 2023, the company reported revenue of $3.1 billion, with an average annual growth rate of approximately 30% (from 2016 to 2023). With over 18 million active installations, Culligan solutions serve more than 155 million consumers annually -- an 11% increase from 2022. This translates to an annual reduction of approximately 40 billion single-use plastic bottles, saving over 600 million kg of plastic and preventing more than 5 billion kg of CO₂ emissions.

The Culligan master brand covers a family of iconic brands and innovative technologies that include Quench, Zip Water, Purezza Premium Water and Culligan Zero which all share a mission to bring better water to consumers anywhere they need it – in the home, at work or on-the-go. Its product range includes under-sink filtration systems, water dispensers, multifunctional taps, bottle-free coolers, and water softening systems. For more information, visit www.corporate.culligan.com or follow @HeyCulligan.

Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle
Long recognized as an annual rite of spring, a celebration of St. Patrick's Day and the kickoff to the outdoor running season in Chicago, the 44th annual Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle treats participants to a scenic 8K run through downtown Chicago and a two-mile walk along Chicago's lakefront. The 8K Run will kick off at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 2-Mile Walk at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Following the race participants can enjoy live music at the Post-Race Party in Grant Park. In advance of the event, the two-day Packet Pick-up will take place in Grant Park on Friday, March 21 and Saturday, March 22. In addition to attending Packet Pick-up, participants are encouraged to join The Mile on Saturday, March 22. For more information about the event and how to get involved, visit shamrockshuffle.com.

Bank of America Chicago 13.1
The fourth annual Bank of America Chicago 13.1 offers runners a unique experience, bringing a world-class half marathon to the neighborhoods of Chicago's West Side. The 13.1-mile course weaves through the historic parks and boulevards of the West Side, starting and finishing in Garfield Park with scenic loops through Humboldt and Douglass Parks. A two-day Packet Pick-up will be held on Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31. The weekend celebrations will culminate with the half marathon and race day festival on Sunday, June 1, 2025. For more information about the event and how to get involved, go to chicago13point1.com.

Bank of America Chicago Marathon
In its 47th year on Sunday, October 12, 2025, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon will welcome thousands of participants from more than 100 countries and all 50 states, including a world-class professional athlete field, top regional and Masters runners, race veterans, debut marathoners and charity participants. The race's iconic course takes participants through 29 vibrant neighborhoods on an architectural and cultural tour of Chicago. Annually, more than a million spectators line the streets cheering on tens of thousands of participants from the start line to the final stretch down Columbus Drive. As a result of the race's national and international draw, the Chicago Marathon assists in raising millions of dollars for a variety of charitable causes while generating over $547 million in annual economic impact to its host city. The 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, a member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, will start and finish in Grant Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 12. In advance of the race, a three-day Abbott Health & Fitness Expo will be held at McCormick Place Convention Center on Thursday, October 9, Friday, October 10, and Saturday, October 11. For more information about the event and how to get involved, go to chicagomarathon.com.

Media Contact:
Eileen Ziesemer
Vice President, PR & Partnerships
[email protected]

SOURCE Culligan