ING and Competitor Group Bring KiDS ROCK Series to Dallas
by ING KiDS ROCK
- May 09, 2011
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National race series to fight childhood obesity reaches more than 17,000 kids
DALLAS (Mar. 10, 2011) – The Competitor Group (CGI), the leading media and event company in the endurance sports industry, and ING, a global financial services leader, today announced the addition of the ING KiDS ROCK race to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon.
Aimed at raising awareness of childhood obesity, the non-timed, non-competitive event for kids in kindergarten through seventh grade is on Saturday, March 26, 2011, from 8 – 10 a.m. and runs through Fair Park. Approximately 1,000 kids will take part in the one-mile fun run, with all participants encouraged to train by completing a cumulative marathon program.
“We’re extremely proud to be a part of an event that is really helping to solve a major crisis facing our country’s children,” said Rhonda Mims, president of the ING Foundation and senior vice president of ING’s Office of Corporate Responsibility and Multicultural Affairs. “Through our charity, ING Run For Something Better®, and our partnership with KiDS ROCK, we are expanding ING’s efforts to combat childhood obesity and making a change that we hope lasts a lifetime for these kids.”
The nationwide program, supported by the ING Run For Something Better charity, is in conjunction with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series and is also an official advocate of the “President’s Challenge” and partner of the “Let’s Move!” initiative. ING KiDS ROCK is part of a nationwide push to improve the health and exercise habits of America’s youth. In the spirit of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series, the run features a performance by popular kids band School of Rock Dallas and an appearance by Olympic medalist and youth exercise advocate, Rod Dixon.
“Physical fitness sets kids up for success in life on many levels, and I want every child to have that. Getting kids active is all about making it fun,” said Dr. Andy Baldwin, U.S. Navy physician, ING KiDS ROCK and ING Run For Something Better ambassador. “Bringing kids’ fitness to a nationwide level is crucial to creating awareness and making an impact on childhood obesity.”
Through the ING KiDS ROCK series, Competitor Group and ING have also partnered to give more than 7,000 scholarships to students across the nation.
“The addition of ING KiDS Rock Dallas brings an entirely new, exciting and vital event to the weekend,” said Kari Logan, event director of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon. “Childhood obesity is one of the most serious problems facing our country right now, and ING KiDS ROCK addresses the problem in a way that is fun and valuable for kids.”
Registration for ING KiDS ROCK Dallas is open online for $25 until Mar. 20. For additional information, or to register for the event, please visit www.INGKiDSROCK.com.
About ING KiDS ROCK
ING KiDS ROCK is a cumulative marathon program capped by a non-competitive, non-timed one-mile fun run for kids grades K-7. As participants in the ING KiDS ROCK program, young athletes become marathon finishers by completing 25.2 or 12.1 miles of a marathon at their own pace by completing the ING Run For Something Better training program with guidance from parents or teachers and then run the final mile on race day. The event plans to motivate children to live a healthy lifestyle. They can learn early on that running can be fun and goals can be attainable. On race day, each participant will run or walk one mile, cross the finish line and receive a finisher’s medal and goodies to commemorate the accomplishment. ING KiDS ROCK takes place in conjunction with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series and has more than 17,000 young participants in 7 cities: New Orleans, Dallas, Nashville, San Diego, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and San Antonio. More information is available at: www.INGKiDSROCK.com.
About ING
ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking, investments, life insurance and retirement services to over 85 million private, corporate and institutional clients in over 40 countries. With a diverse workforce of more than 107,000 people, ING is dedicated to setting the standard in helping our clients manage their financial future.
In the U.S., the ING (NYSE: ING) family of companies offers a comprehensive array of financial services to retail and institutional clients, which includes life insurance, retirement plans, mutual funds, managed accounts, alternative investments, direct banking, institutional investment management, annuities, employee benefits and financial planning. ING holds top-tier rankings in key U.S. markets and serves approximately 30 million customers across the nation.
ING’s diversity management philosophy and commitment to workplace diversity, diversity marketing, corporate citizenship and supplier diversity fosters an inclusive environment for employees that supports a distinctive product and service experience for the financial services consumer. For more information, visit ing.us.
About ING Run For Something Better
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.