"Zappos is just a natural local and national sponsor, being headquartered in the Las Vegas area," said Las Vegas Marathon president Bill Burke.

"Obviously, among other things, they sell running shoes. The marketing relationship between a running event and a shoe company was just a natural fit."

Zappos chief executive officer Tony Hsieh and chief operating officer Alfred Lin competed in last year's marathon, the second promoted by Chicago-based Devine Racing.

The 2007 marathon and half-marathon are scheduled to start Dec. 2 on the Las Vegas Strip.

Hsieh moved Zappos.com's headquarters from San Francisco to Henderson 3 1/2 years ago. He said the company's three-year contract with the event should amount to more than $1 million.

The marathon is also partnering with florist company FTD to sponsor a run-through wedding chapel at mile 5, and with promoter Las Vegas Events on a $250,000 commitment to market the race to national and international runners.

The event grew from about 12,000 runners in 2005 to 18,000 last year. Burke said it cost about $5 million to stage the race in 2005, and about $4.3 million last year.

———