| Copyright: | PR Newswire | | Source: | PR Newswire | | Wordcount: | 1337 |
WEST CHESTER, Pa., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ING, one of the
world's leading financial services companies and one of the running
community's most committed supporters, announced today that it has partnered
with sports marketing and race management powerhouse Elite Racing, Inc., a
division of Competitor Group, Inc., to become title sponsor of the ING
Philadelphia Distance Run half marathon, www.INGphiladelphiadistancerun.com .
This partnership is a multi-year agreement that involves naming rights as
well as a variety of marketing, promotional, hospitality and charitable
components. It brings together two of the nation's most well-respected and
recognized names in distance running event management and sponsorship.
"We're thrilled to be teaming up with a premier organization like Elite
Racing as we broaden our commitment to the sport of running," said Harry
Stout, Head of Wealth Management Market Segments for ING. "One of ING's
principle businesses is located in the Delaware Valley region, and we're
looking forward to a terrific event that brings runners, spectators, employees
and the community together in a positive and memorable way. As a leading
provider of insurance and asset management solutions for retirement, ING sees
the parallels between distance running and financial planning -- it's about
starting small, setting goals and staying committed for the long-run."
"Elite Racing assumed management of the Philadelphia Distance Run in 2005
and has since worked hard to uphold its high standards and increase its
visibility on the world's stage," said Adam Zocks, the race's general manager.
"Our partnership with ING only adds to the prestige of the event. We invite
all runners to experience the tradition and excitement of the ING Philadelphia
Distance Run on Sunday, September 21, 2008."
The ING Philadelphia Distance Run has been one of the most popular and
respected half marathons in the country for thirty years. The 13.1 mile
scenic course showcases many of the city's celebrated and historic sites. In
addition to outstanding performances by international elite athletes, the
event features live bands every mile as well as races for children between the
ages of three and twelve.
Last year, over 14,000 runners, walkers and wheel-chair participants
registered for the event, and nearly 12,000 finished. This year's event will
be held on September 21, marking its 31st anniversary.
With today's announcement, ING adds another premier running event to its
portfolio of race sponsorships around the globe.
In the United States, ING became the first-ever title sponsor of the ING
New York City Marathon in 2003. Today, ING's list of title running
sponsorships has grown to include the ING Miami Marathon, the ING Georgia
Marathon, the ING Bay to Breakers 12K in San Francisco and, most recently, the
ING Hartford Marathon which will commence October 11. The company is also a
major sponsor of the Denver Marathon and the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon.
Both ING and Elite have built outstanding reputations in the running
community, each sharing common values when it comes to managing, marketing and
sponsoring premier race events. Working together, their goal is to make the
ING Philadelphia Distance Run even more successful by enhancing the experience
for runners, spectators and everyone involved.
As title sponsor, ING plans to encourage spectator participation by
"painting the town orange" -- the company's trademark color -- and setting up
special cheer zones along the race course. The company will draw upon its
nearly 700 employees based in West Chester, Pennsylvania as Brand Ambassadors
to help staff the race along the course. ING will also activate its ING Run
for Something Better program locally.
ING Run for Something Better is the charitable companion to the company's
running sponsorships which provides funding to local community and school-
based running and fitness programs. The initiative is designed to encourage a
healthy, active lifestyle in the fight against childhood obesity. Since its
inception in 2003, the ING Run for Something Better has encouraged thousands
of children, parents and teachers to adopt healthier lifestyles. It has
donated more than one million dollars to youth running initiatives in those
regions.
Delaware Valley area residents can also participate in the ING Run for
Something Better campaign by donating $10 or more to the charitable fund at
www.orangelaces.com. Each person who contributes will receive a special pair
of orange shoelaces as a token of support to show they are "tied to kids'
fitness." All proceeds directly benefit local ING Run for Something Better
youth running and school-based fitness programs.
Press inquiries: ING US Financial Services Joe Loparco, 860.580.2677 or 860.462.6625 (cell) or joseph.loparco@us.ing.com Elite Racing Ian Monahan, 800.311.1255 or 858.518.6077 (cell) or imonahan@eliteracing.com
About ING
ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking,
insurance and asset management to more than 75 million private, corporate and
institutional clients in more than 50 countries. With a diverse workforce of
over 120,000 people, ING comprises a broad spectrum of prominent companies
that increasingly serve their clients under the ING brand.
In the U.S., the ING family of companies offer a comprehensive array of
financial services to retail and institutional clients which include life
insurance, retirement plans, mutual funds, managed accounts, alternative
investments, direct banking, institutional investment management, annuities,
employee benefits, financial planning, and reinsurance. ING holds top-tier
rankings in key U.S. markets and serves over 14 million customers across the
nation. For more information, visit www.ing.com.
About the ING Run for Something Better
The ING Run for Something Better is a fundraising campaign that supports
community and school-based running programs. Linked to ING's long-distance
race sponsorships, the program was created to introduce kids to the benefits
of sport, a habit of physical fitness, and a healthy lifestyle that prevents
conditions such as childhood obesity. In today's world of poor nutrition and
less-active lifestyles -- which may contribute to childhood obesity -- ING is
using its position as a sponsor of marathons worldwide as a platform for
helping kids get fit through free school-based running programs. ING's goal is
to invest in the health of American children by donating $2 million to running
programs to get 500,000 kids running by 2010. ING has also created a special
charitable fund to encourage others to support the cause by making their own
contribution. When someone donates $10 or more to the ING Run for Something
Better, ING will recognize their contribution by giving them a special pair of
orange shoelaces to wear showing that they are "tied" to supporting kids'
fitness. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of orange laces go to the ING Run
for Something Better fitness programs. For more information about the orange
laces, go to www.orangelaces.com .
About Elite Racing Inc.
Based in San Diego, Calif., Elite Racing, Inc. is a division of Competitor
Group, Inc., which includes endurance sports publishing leaders Competitor
Magazine and Triathlete Magazine. Elite Racing produces world-class road
racing events for runners and walkers throughout the United States. Its
signature Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series began in 1998 with the Rock 'n' Roll
Marathon in San Diego. Over the past 10 years, the sports marketing and
management company has grown to manage a total of seven marathons and half
marathons including the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2
Marathon in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe, the Country Music Marathon and 1/2
Marathon in Nashville, Tenn., the Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon & 1/2
Marathon in San Antonio, Tex., the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathons in Virginia
Beach, Va. and San Jose, Calif., and the ING Philadelphia Distance Run. Events
feature live bands on entertainment stages and cheerleaders at every mile
along the course and attract between 13,000 and 37,000 participants.
In addition, Elite Racing also produces the Carlsbad 5000. Known as the
"world's fastest 5K," the Carlsbad 5000 is home to 16 world best times at the
3.1-mile distance and welcomes over 10,000 runners and walkers to the streets
of Carlsbad, Calif. annually.
For more information about Elite Racing's events visit
www.eliteracing.com .
SOURCE ING
CONTACT: Joe Loparco of ING US Financial Services, +1-860-580-2677, +1-860-462-6625 (cell), joseph.loparco@us.ing.com; Ian Monahan of Elite Racing, +1-800-311-1255, +1-858-518-6077 (cell), imonahan@eliteracing.com
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