ING Run for Something Better

NOV 1, 2007

On Thursday, November 1, nearly 1,000 elementary and middle school kids from throughout New York City put on their sneakers and laced up their orange laces for the Run with Champions event in Central Park. Run with Champions kicked off a huge weekend for the sport of running — one that would contain both the ING New York City Marathon and the U.S. Olympic Men’s Marathon Trials.

Elementary school runners ran a very spirited 400 meters through Central Park. While the older students took on a mile run with the top finishers completing the race in under six minutes!

The Mighty Milers and Young Runners programs are sponsored by the New York Road Runners and ING through its charitable program, ING Run For Something Better®. “It’s very exciting to see you put so much into your running and have so much fun doing it,” stated Pamela Bishop, head of Cause-Related Marketing. “We’re all very proud of you. You’re all champions.”

Born in New York City with ING’s first title sponsorship of the NYC Marathon, the Run for Something Better program strives to support running and fitness programs for kids in the local schools and parks, to get kids off the right start toward a more active and productive life. Over the past five years, the Run For Something Better program has contributed more than $750,000 to sustain these programs in New York City and is committed to $1 million by 2010.

“The Run For Something Better makes healthier kids, in so many ways,” said former New York Rangers goalie Mike Richter, who has been telling the story of ING Run for Something Better program. “Childhood obesity is a growing problem. Getting kids off the couch is great for them physically, but it’s also important emotionally.”

Richter continued, “Running is such an inclusive sport - all these kids need is a pair of sneakers and a little encouragement to get them out the door. It’s been proven that kids involved in running are better prepared to handle the stresses of school, peer pressure, and other tough situations. I’m really proud to be associated with this program.”