SanMar named presenting sponsor for Seattle ‘Beat the Bridge’ race

SanMar Corporation, a supplier of wholesale accessories and apparel, announced its role as the presenting sponsor of Seattle’s Beat the Bridge, a beloved charity race now in its forty-third year. The event benefits Breakthrough T1D, a global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, formerly known as JDRF.

The festivities will take place at Husky Stadium on the University of Washington campus, with the namesake 8K run, 3-mile walk, 1-mile fun run, and crowd-favorite diaper derby on May 10. The race draws thousands of participants annually, ranging from dedicated runners to families and groups supporting loved ones and building community for those with T1D.

“SanMar is excited to step in as the new presenting sponsor, continuing the incredible legacy of community involvement and support for a cause that is so close to my family,” said Jeremy Lott, CEO of SanMar. “We look forward to leveraging that dedication and helping keep Beat the Bridge an iconic Pacific Northwest tradition that makes a real difference for those with type 1 diabetes and their families.”

Lott’s commitment to finding a cure for T1D began in 2022 when his son, now a high school student, was diagnosed and later introduced to the resources and community of Breakthrough T1D.

In addition to securing the presenting sponsorship of the Beat the Bridge event, this year SanMar boosted its engagement as a nationwide sponsor of the Breakthrough T1D Walk series. This expanded support reflects the company’s deepening commitment to groundbreaking efforts in the fight against T1D and bringing awareness and resources to communities across the country.

“As a local and national sponsor, we’re honored to support this meaningful cause,” shared Jennifer Larson, chief people officer at SanMar. “Type 1 diabetes affects millions, and we’re committed to working alongside Breakthrough T1D to drive progress in research and treatment. This work and the Beat the Bridge event is very much in line with our purpose of creating meaningful connections that elevate lives.”

Beat the Bridge was started by Nordstrom in 1983 as part of the Breakthrough T1D Walk program, which organizes annual fundraising events in more than 200 locations across 13 countries. To date, the Breakthrough T1D Walk program has raised over $1 billion for T1D research, with Beat the Bridge proudly holding the top spot as the organization’s largest walk event in the U.S.

The marathon-qualifying Beat the Bridge 8K raises the stakes for runners, who race to cross the University Bridge over Seattle’s Portage Bay before the drawbridge is raised temporarily. Those who miss the cut-off are treated with block party entertainment temporarily before the bridge is lowered and they can complete the course.

“We are incredibly grateful for SanMar’s leadership as a Breakthrough T1D Walk National Series sponsor and the presenting sponsor for the 43rd Annual Beat the Bridge for Breakthrough T1D event in Seattle,” stated Karen Abrahamson, senior vice president of field engagement at Breakthrough T1D.

“Corporate sponsors like SanMar, who are dedicated to giving back to their communities and nonprofit organizations like ours, are key to Breakthrough T1D’s broader engagement and make advancing our mission possible. Together, through our walk events, we’re creating a movement, taking action for the entire type 1 diabetes community, and accelerating breakthroughs on the way to cures for the disease,” added Abrahamson.

Participants of all ages and abilities are invited to join in the fun and challenge of this year’s events. SanMar welcomes the support of fellow sponsors including The Boyle Family, RH Brown, PACCAR, Kraken, CAS, USI, Expeditors, The Sample Family, and Brooks.

Early registration is now open for individuals and organized teams.