Running: Las Vegas Marathon title sponsor quits, cites race finances

Tuesday, June 03, 2008 - 06:32 PM

LAS VEGAS – The title sponsor of the Las Vegas Marathon is walking away, citing financial troubles involving the race owner, Chicago-based Devine Racing.

Zappos.com sponsored the 2007 race had been expected remain on to sponsor this year's race, scheduled Dec. 7. It had an option for the 2009 race.

But spokesman Chris Peake says the Henderson-based Internet shoe and apparel company was upset to learn Devine Racing hadn't paid pay some vendors, charities and last December's men's overall winner, Christopher Cheboiboch.
Devine Racing chief executive Chris Devine issued a statement thanking Zappos.com for sponsoring the race last December, and saying he's confident a new sponsor will be found.

Devine promised last month to sell two unspecified “significant assets,” and use the proceeds to pay race bills by June 15.

The company also owns the Los Angeles and Salt Lake City marathons and the Chicago Half Marathon. Devine also has a financial interest in several radio companies.