FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hartford Marathon Foundation and ING Partner Through 2012
June 2011, Glastonbury, CT – The Hartford Marathon Foundation is honored to
announce the extension of the ING title sponsorship through 2012 for its
signature event, the ING Hartford Marathon. Enjoying a successful
partnership since 2008, the Foundation recognizes the support of ING which
has helped distinguish the Marathon as a major race event in New England,
bringing more than 12,000 runners and 30,000 spectators to the city of
Hartford each October. The 2011 event will take place on Saturday, October
15th in Bushnell Park.
The Foundation and ING share similar goals in organizing eco-friendly race
events that promote health, fitness and enjoyment for all participants.
Since the partnership was established, the Marathon has been recognized
nationally, earning Gold Certification by the national Council for
Responsible Sport for their dedication to sustainability and qualifying as
a State Championship Race from the Road Runners Club of America. Both
organizations also have a firm commitment to promoting children's fitness
through youth-focused initiatives, including the marquis ING Run For
Something Better program and culminating race event. Since 2008, this
program has touched the lives of over 4,000 Hartford-area middle school
students, helping them appreciate the benefits of running and making
physical fitness a part of their lives.
Always on the forefront of implementing innovative race programs, the ING
Hartford Marathon recently launched the new Elite Inspiration Team to
recognize the many amazing participants that run Hartford each year.
Additionally, new Marathon training groups are being created in towns
across the state, including a first-ever Fairfield County training group in
Wilton, CT.
"Working with ING as title sponsor has allowed us to add new race programs
to our events, catapulting us to become a signature race event in New
England," said Beth Shluger, Executive Director of the Hartford Marathon
Foundation. "We are delighted to be in the ranks with the ING New York City
Marathon and ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon and we hope the
partnership continues for many more years to come."
"ING is committed to giving back to the communities where we do business,
so we're thrilled to continue sponsoring this outstanding event," said Ann
Glover, Chief Marketing Officer for ING U.S. "The ING Hartford Marathon
brings the people of greater Hartford and beyond together in a positive
way, whether they're participating, volunteering or cheering from the
sidelines. It also allows hundreds of ING employees to get involved while
inspiring local students to improve their lives through the ING Run For
Something Better program."
Founded in 1994, the Hartford Marathon Foundation was created to bring
large-scale athletic events to the city of Hartford and state of
Connecticut. Now in its 18th year, the Foundation organizes over 50 runs,
triathlons and training programs for adults and children. Annually, over
35,000 athletes and 60,000 spectators participate in Foundation events.
HMF has been awarded numerous accolades for their eco-friendly initiatives
and commitment to organizing programs that promote health, fitness and
enjoyment for all participants.
The ING Run For Something Better® helps fund school-based running programs
in an effort to combat childhood obesity before it ever begins. Linked to
ING's commitment to education, the program helps introduce kids to the
benefits of sport, a habit of physical fitness, and a healthy lifestyle.
Nationally, ING has committed over $2.5 million to fund grants and
school-based running programs through ING Run For Something Better. Since
2006, over $1 million has also been raised by individual donors through a
special charitable fund to encourage others to support the cause by making
their own contributions. 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. One hundred percent of the net proceeds go to the
ING Run For Something Better fitness programs. For more information about
the orange laces, go to www.orangelaces.com.
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