Posted: November 19, 2007

Athletics: ING Announces Newest Race Sponsorship - ING Hartford Marathon

HARTFORD, Conn., Nov. 19 -- ING, one of the world's leading financial services companies and one of the running community's most committed supporters, announced today its role as the new title sponsor of the ING Hartford Marathon. This partnership, with race organizer Hartford Marathon Foundation, Inc., is a multi-year agreement that involves naming rights as well as a variety of marketing, promotional, hospitality and charitable components. "The Hartford region is home to one of ING's largest businesses, so we're thrilled to be involved in an event that brings runners, spectators, employees and the community together in a positive and memorable way," said Kathy Murphy, Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Wealth Management for ING U.S. Financial Services. "As a financial services company, ING sees the parallels between distance running and financial planning - it's about starting small, setting goals and staying committed for the long-run." "Today's announcement underscores ING's commitment to the sport of running," added Catherine Smith, Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Insurance for ING. "With the ING Hartford Marathon, our company adds another prominent running event to its portfolio of race sponsorships around the globe. We look forward to making this event even more exciting and fun for everyone who participates." The ING Hartford Marathon is the largest, single day multi-distance running event in Connecticut staffed by volunteers. First run in 1994, the race consists of a marathon, half marathon, relay event, competitive race walk, 5K and children's fun run. Next year's event will be held on October 11, 2008 and marks its 15th anniversary. Here 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 in San Francisco and now, the ING Hartford Marathon. The company is also a major sponsor of the Denver Marathon and the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. "When ING gets behind a race, we know they're serious about creating an exceptional experience for runners, spectators and everyone involved," said Beth Shluger, race director and marathon founder. "We're thrilled to have ING as our new title sponsor, helping to make this event even better by drawing elite runners from around the world and offering tremendous value to the region." As title sponsor, ING brings 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 more than two thousand Hartford-area employees as Brand Ambassadors to help staff the race along the course. ING will also help the Hartford Marathon Foundation unify and expand its existing youth running initiatives, coordinating them under an event during race weekend tied to the ING Run for Something Better. 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 in New York, Miami, Atlanta, San Francisco and Denver to adopt healthier lifestyles. It has donated more than one million dollars to youth running initiatives in those regions. Hartford 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 contributor 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 ING Run for Something Better youth running and school-based fitness programs. 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 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 The Hartford Marathon Foundation, Inc. The Hartford Marathon Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 1994 to create and manage fitness events to benefit the Greater Hartford community. Located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, the Hartford Marathon Foundation organizes more than 20 annual athletic events, including the Hartford Marathon. For more information, visit www.hartfordmarathon.com. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest