Press Release - New York City Marathon - 9/28/09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

        LAFONTAINE TO TAKE ON THE 2009 ING NEW YORK CITY MARATHON

Champions of the ice team up with the ING Run For Something Better program 
             to encourage children to be physically fit 

Former Olympic speed skater Dan Jansen and National Hockey League (NHL) 
legend Pat LaFontaine will each trade in their skates for a pair of orange 
laces and running shoes as they take on their next athletic challenge -- 
the 2009 ING New York City Marathon.  

On Sunday, November 1, 2009, Jansen and LaFontaine will partner with 
financial services leader ING as they participate in the 40th running of 
this premiere distance race.  The two will be serving as ambassadors for 
the ING Run For Something Better, a national initiative that promotes youth 
fitness and provides grants and funding to school-based running programs 
across the country.  

During the marathon, Jansen and LaFontaine will each wear a pair of ING's 
signature orange shoelaces.  Orange laces are given to those who make a 
charitable donation of $10 or more to the ING Run For Something Better 
cause.  ING's orange laces are available at www.orangelaces.com.  The two 
champions will also raise money for the program through fundraising 
websites.  Fans can support their efforts by visiting 
www.orangelaces.com/nyc.  

"As an elite speed skater, it was necessary for me to develop good fitness 
habits early in life.  Starting off on the right foot as a child makes it 
much easier to lead a healthy lifestyle as an adult," said Jansen.  "By 
participating in the ING Run For Something Better program and running the 
marathon, I hope to encourage young people across the country to learn 
about the importance of physical activity and the benefits of setting their 
own health and fitness goals."

"Not every child is going to become a professional athlete – but they can 
take the right steps toward leading a healthy life," noted LaFontaine.  "My 
parents and I always focused on proper exercise, training, and nutrition so 
that I could be as successful as possible.  Today, these things are still 
very important to me.  I'm excited to be partnering with ING and supporting 
the ING Run For Something Better so that other kids can learn these same 
values."

Dan and Pat's training and involvement in the ING Run For Something Better 
can be followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/OrangeLaces as well as by 
visiting a newly launched ING Facebook page (search ING Run For Something 
Better on Facebook).

"We're thrilled to have Dan and Pat join our team as they participate in 
this year's ING New York City Marathon.  Not only are these two men 
fantastic athletes, but they serve as incredible role models for young 
people everywhere," said Rhonda Mims, president of the ING Foundation and 
senior vice president, Office of Corporate Responsibility and Multicultural 
Affairs.  "The ING Run For Something Better program is all about teaching 
our children the benefits of being healthy and fit, and the dedication it 
takes to setting and achieving goals in life.  The support we get from Dan 
and Pat will help us continue spreading this positive message."

Childhood obesity has become a serious health concern in the United States.  
Educating kids about the importance of living an active and healthy life is 
the cornerstone of the ING Run For Something Better.  

Since 2003, over 50,000 children have participated in ING Run For Something 
Better programs across the country.  Children in these programs have 
reached a milestone of running more than 1.5 million miles.  Nationally, 
ING has committed over $2.5 million to fund grants and school-based running 
programs through the ING Run For Something Better. 

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