FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ING Run for Something Better also supports
New York youth running programs
NEW YORK, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- ING has expanded the ING Run for
Something Better program by funding a $30,000 bonus to the women's champion
of the ING New York City Marathon 2005. The $130,000 purse for the top
female finisher is the largest first-place prize in the history of
marathoning.
"The attributes of marathon running mirror those attributes ING encourages
in its own employees and in the way it conducts business -- challenging
limits, commitment to long-term vision, and doing things differently," said
Toby Hoden, chief marketing officer, ING U.S. Financial Services. "In this
same spirit, the ING Run for Something Better has supplemented the prize
money for the top female finisher."
Not only is this the largest first-place prize in the history of
marathons, it is also the first time any major sports event has put up more
money for the women's winner than for the men's winner.
In addition to the ING Run for Something Better prize money, ING will also
donate a total of $150,000, equally split between the New York Road Runners
Foundation and the City Parks Foundation, on behalf of the top four women
finishers.
The ING Run for Something Better now encompasses the women's field of the
ING New York City Marathon, competing not only to win the race, but also to
raise money for New York track and field programs. The 2005 ING Run for
Something Better will benefit track and field programs for New York City
children during the school year through the New York Road Runners
Foundation, and over the summer months through the City Parks Foundation
for a 12-month fitness program. Both organizations reflect NYRR's and ING's
shared commitment to the sport of running, to youth, and to the local
community.
"The ING Run for Something Better program was created to support and
enhance the sport of running in a way that will positively affect the
people and communities of New York, especially among the city's youth,"
said Hoden. "The goal is to not only help youngsters develop their physical
selves, but also to instill in them the spirit of competition,
determination and inspiration -- all characteristics that will serve them
well throughout their academic and working lives."
Since its inception in 2003, the ING Run for Something Better has
contributed close to $500,000 to community and youth running organizations
and has had an immediate and visible impact in New York. The City Parks
Foundation used ING Run for Something Better funds to expand its free
summer track and field programs at parks throughout New York -- doubling
the number of children participating in the program. In addition, the ING
Run for Something Better contributed to the New York Road Runners
Foundation to support their efforts to expand the school day Running
Partners Mileage Club program to serve an additional 1,000 children.
About ING
ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking,
insurance and asset management to over 60 million private, corporate and
institutional clients in more than 50 countries. With a diverse workforce
of over 114,000 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.
New York Road Runners
New York Road Runners, soon to celebrate its 50th anniversary, is
dedicated to promoting the sport of distance running and enhancing health
and fitness for all. Our road races and other fitness programs draw upwards
of 300,000 runners annually, and together with our magazine and Web site
support and promote professional and recreational running. A staff of 60,
assisted by thousands of volunteers, stages the ING New York City Marathon,
as well as a road race nearly every weekend plus many track and cross
country events. NYRR's home base in New York, and its lifelong
identification with Central Park, have given many of its events iconic
status, attracting the world's top professional runners. For more
information visit www.nyrr.org.
ING New York City Marathon.
The premier event of New York Road Runners, the ING New York City Marathon
is one of the world's great road races, drawing more than 85,000
applicants. The race attracts many world-class professional athletes, not
only for the more than $600,000 in prize money, but also for the chance to
excel in the media capital of the world before two million cheering
spectators and 260 million worldwide television viewers. As any one of the
635,000 past participants will attest, crossing the finish line in Central
Park is one of the great thrills of a lifetime. For more information visit
www.ingnycmarathon.org
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