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Tennis Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Gigi Fernandez Prepares to 'Run for Something Better' at ING Miami Marathon
Fernandez to encourage students to get a healthier start to life through
fitness
MIAMI, Jan. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gigi Fernandez will trade in
her tennis racket for a pair of orange shoelaces on Sunday, January 27 as
she partners with global financial services leader ING and the company's
Run for Something Better program during the 2008 ING Miami Marathon and
Half Marathon.
Fernandez, who is Puerto Rico's first female professional athlete, is
no stranger to running and physical fitness. During her celebrated career,
the tennis legend won two Olympic Gold Medals and seventeen women's Grand
Slam doubles titles. By joining forces with ING in Miami, she hopes to
encourage more Miami area youth to fight childhood obesity and get active
as part of the national ING Run for Something Better program.
"Although I've retired from professional tennis, I'm a firm believer in
leading a healthy lifestyle and staying in shape," said Fernandez. "By
being part of the ING Run for Something Better program in Miami, I hope to
inspire thousands of children in South Florida to embrace physical activity
and work towards setting their own personal fitness goals."
The ING Run for Something Better program advocates a healthy and active
lifestyle in the fight against childhood obesity. Since 2003, the youth
running program has successfully engaged thousands of children, parents and
teachers in cities across the country where ING sponsors long-distance
running events. In Miami, the successful program is organized by ING's race
partner, PR Racing and the Fit Miami Foundation.
"We're delighted that Gigi has chosen to support the ING Run for
Something Better program during this year's marathon. Her involvement in
Miami will help spread our positive message about youth running and
fitness," said Toby Hoden, chief marketing officer for ING. "This
partnership represents another step in ING's ongoing commitment to ensure
our children are getting a start towards leading a healthy life."
In the U.S., childhood obesity has become a serious health epidemic.
The problem is even greater within the Hispanic community - where children
are twice as likely to be overweight. Educating kids about the importance
of living an active life is the cornerstone of the ING Run for Something
Better program.
In Miami, Fernandez will be wearing a pair of ING's signature orange
shoelaces, which are given to kids' fitness supporters who make a
charitable contribution to the ING Run for Something Better program. ING's
orange laces are available at http://www.orangelaces.com/miami.
On marathon race day, she will also join more than 2,500 Miami-Dade
County middle school students expected to participate in the ING Run for
Something Better "Final Mile" run. This event takes place at 11:00 a.m. on
the official marathon race course in Downtown Miami.
Kids participating in ING Run for Something Better-funded programs have
run enough miles to reach the moon -- about 238,000 miles. ING has donated
more than $1,000,000 to youth running initiatives across the country and is
committed to donating a total of $2,000,000 through 2010. Nearly $400,000
in Run for Something Better funds have gone to Miami schools since the
program was introduced there in 2006.
About Gigi Fernandez
The former tennis professional won seventeen Grand Slam doubles titles
and two Olympic Gold Medals. She reached the singles semi-finals of the
1994 Wimbledon Championships, and the singles quarter-finals twice at the
U.S. Open. Fernandez is one of the most successful Puerto Rican born female
athletes in history. She was voted Puerto Rican Female Athlete of the
Century. Fernandez graduated cum laude from the University of South Florida
and us currently pursing an MBA from Rollins Crummer School of Business.
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 http://www.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 youth 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 http://www.orangelaces.com.
About The ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon(R)
The ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon(R), produced by PR Racing
Miami, is South Florida's Premier Running Event hosting over 17,000 runners
for a 3- day weekend of events. The race has been recognized as a Top
Winter Destination Race by USA Today and Top 10 Races to Do by Runner's
World Magazine. The event has provided an estimated economic impact of $81
million over six years supporting South Florida tourism, business and
wellness. For more information on the event, go to
http://www.INGMiamiMarathon.com.
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