Corning, NY – With more than 2,500 runners already registered for this year's 31st annual Wineglass Marathon, race organizers are excited to welcome the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes as the title sponsor of the inaugural Wineglass 5K.

With 40 years of supporting the greater Elmira-Corning region, the Community Foundation has helped connect hundreds of donors with countless needs throughout the area. The Foundation operates more than 170 separate funds, scholarships and programs, including the Fund For Women, which also partnered with Wineglass Marathon beginning in 2011.

As the popularity of the marathon continues to surge, event planners added a 5K to this year's roster of events. Just over three miles in length, it offers both long distance runners a chance to prepare for the marathon and area residents a chance to get involved in the marathon weekend. Registration for the 5K has already begun – and is filling quickly. The field will cap at 1500 participants, and will include this year's special guest Joan Benoit Samuelson. Following a gold medal victory at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Samuelson rose to international stardom after becoming the first ever women's Olympic marathon champion.

The Foundation's Program Officer, Sara Palmer, says that the Wineglass 5K is a perfect fit for their organization. "The Wineglass Marathon is truly a community effort," notes Palmer. "Their focus on health and wellness has a major impact on the well-being of our region and we are proud to be a part of the tradition."

This year's Wineglass Marathon weekend begins on Friday, September 28th with runner registration and expo at the Corning Community YMCA, followed by the 5K and expo on Saturday, September 29th. The half-marathon and marathon begin at 8:00am on Sunday, September 30th, with both events crossing the finish line on Historic Market Street in Corning's Gaffer District. For more information or race registration, visit www.wineglassmarathon.com.