University Hospitals Sports Medicine selected as official health care provider for the Rite Aid 2016 Cleveland Marathon

CLEVELAND, March 24, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Rite Aid 2016 Cleveland Marathon officials announced today a formal agreement with University Hospitals (UH) Sports Medicine as the official health care provider of the 39^th annual Cleveland Marathon.

As the official health care provider of the Rite Aid 2016 Cleveland Marathon, University Hospitals Case Medical Center Sports Medicine physicians, will be providing on site care for all runners participating in the full and half marathons as well as the 10K, 8K and 5K races along with the Kids' Run.

As part of the new relationship, UH will provide medical coverage for all the runners who annually brave the course along Lake Erie's shoreline.

Jeffrey Luk, MD, Director of Prehospital and Disaster Medicine in the Department of Emergency Medicine at UH Case Medical Center and an EMS Medical Director in the UH EMS Training and Disaster Preparedness Institute, has been selected as the medical director for the marathon and is looking forward to helping athletes complete the course competitively and safely.

"I am honored to be the medical director for the 2016 Cleveland Marathon," said Dr. Luk. "We at University Hospitals have a fantastic multidisciplinary team of experts who are all excited to provide medical staffing for the marathon. Our plan is to ensure a fun and most importantly, safe marathon for all participants."

University Hospitals' plan for the event aligns well with the overall goal of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. 

"We pride ourselves on providing a safe and enjoyable experience for participants, family members and spectators," said Ralph Staph, race director of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. "By partnering with University Hospitals, we are ensuring that our participants have access to top-notch care during the weekend's events."

University Hospitals became the official health care partner of the Browns in 2014 and has been responsible for providing medical care to players and their families as well as any urgent and emergent care required by fans at the First Energy Stadium, Home of the Cleveland Browns. Additionally, last year, the UH Sports Medicine team, including Dr. Luk, provided medical coverage for the 2015 Cleveland Triathlon. 

"University Hospitals Sports Medicine is proud to partner with the Cleveland Marathon to support this great event," said James Voos, MD, Division Chief, Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedics at UH Case Medical Center. "We are very excited to serve as a medical resource to ensure that runners of all skill levels can train and participate in the race safely."

More than 20,000 participants have competed in the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon weekend events for the past three years, and race organizers are expecting a similar number this year. Caps will be in place for all of the races, and runners and walkers are encouraged to register early to avoid a sold-out race. Rates and registration information can be found at www.clevelandmarathon.com.

One of the 50 oldest races in the country, the 2016 Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon will take place May 14-15. The following opportunities are available for people to participate in the event: full marathon, half marathon, 10K, full marathon walking division, half marathon walking division, 10K walking division, 5K (run or walk) and Kids' Run. Online registration and further information is available at www.clevelandmarathon.com.

SOURCE University Hospitals Case Medical Center