ING new title sponsor for Miami Marathon
ING Run for Something Better School Program Also Introduced

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Posted Thursday, 26 May, 2005

MIAMI - (May 25, 2005) - A storied international company will apply its successful past to the future of South Florida running as the new title sponsor of the ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon on January 29, 2006. The announcement of ING as the title sponsor for the fastest growing race in Florida will make international waves in the running industry. This is another key step for ING in assuming presenting level status of a major running event in the U.S. (ING became the title of the ING New York City Marathon, the largest marathon in the world, in 2001). The announcement of this partnership strongly supports the ambitions of local government and event organizers to host a world class marathon with over 20,000 runners in the streets of Miami and Miami Beach within the next 5 years.

The marathon, which began in 2003, has grown into one of South Florida's biggest single-day sporting events and has become a major destination race for runners throughout the U.S. and Latin America. In three years, the race has drawn top Latin American runners and has lured 70% of participants from outside Miami-Dade County while sparking a running boom in South Florida.

"We are very proud of what the marathon has accomplished in the past" says Robert Pozo, Miami Marathon Race Director, "but it is the future of this race that will have a tremendous impact locally and make the world proud of this community."

"We are thrilled to announce our partnership with PR Racing and the ING Miami Marathon," said Toby Hoden, Chief Marketing Officer for ING US Financial Services. "This marks another significant step in our commitment to the sport of running - and reflects our second title sponsorship of a marathon in the U.S."

Hoden continued, "Our commitment to the ING Miami Marathon also includes the ING Run for Something Better - a program funded by ING to champion running while serving the greater community in Miami-Dade County."

As part of the commitment by ING, the ING Miami Marathon will establish the ING Run for Something Better program, a public school program that will reach over 87,000 middle school students in Miami Dade County Public Schools, motivating and inspiring children to experience running and get a feel for participating in a sports event like a marathon. Participating students will have the opportunity to run "The Final Mile" on the morning of the ING Miami Marathon. Every student who participated in the ING Run for Something Better will have the opportunity to run on the same course as 10,000 international marathon runners in a special kid's race.

"Picture a couple thousand 10-14 year olds coming across the finish line with bright smiles and shiny medals around their necks," says Pozo. "It will be the ultimate picture of triumph, happiness and accomplishment, and the ING Miami Marathon is proud to provide that opportunity to our children."

"The marathon's goal is to promote wellness in the community," says Pozo. "By starting with our children, we can inspire their parents, teachers and siblings to help make Miami-Dade a healthier place to live." The ING Run for Something Better program will recognize teachers that take part as coaches or volunteers by providing them with free entry into the ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon.

ING Miami Marathon Race Weekend will take place on January 27-29 2006, with a full schedule of events for beginning and expert runners, kids and the rest of the family. The 4th annual weekend of events including the 2nd Tropical 5K benefiting Community Partnership for Homeless, will draw over 12,000 runners and walkers. Additionally, over 25,000 people will attend the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Health and Fitness Expo which is free and open to the public the weekend of the race.

For more information, visit INGMiamiMarathon.com or call Danny Elfenbein at (305) 278-8668 or email: dannye@prracingevents.com

Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Services Director
385 Oak View Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
(805) 696-6232, fax (805) 967-5958
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.runningusa.org

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