ING Announces Next Title Sponsorship in U.S.: ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon

ING and PR Racing announced today ING's title sponsorship of the ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon. Having only begun in 2003, this Race Event 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.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050525/CLW064LOGO )

Miami Mayor Manny Diaz commented, "We are very proud that Miami's Marathon, after only three years of operation, has attracted such major sponsorship from a global leader in financial services." Diaz continued, "This reflects very well on the race operators, PR Racing, as well as Miami as a city that honors running and physical fitness." Diaz is a national leader in the promotion of athletic endeavors in his role as Chair of the Arts, Parks, Entertainment and Sports Committee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Twelve thousand international runners and walkers are expected to participate in the January 29, 2006 ING Miami Marathon. In just three years, the Race has drawn top Latin American runners and has lured more than 70 percent of its participants from outside Miami-Dade County, while sparking a running boom in South Florida.

"Today marks another significant step in ING's commitment to the sport of running," said Toby Hoden, chief marketing officer for ING US Financial Services. "We are thrilled to announce our partnership with PR Racing and the ING Miami Marathon as we look to collaborate to promote the expanded success of this Race as well as inspiring life-long fitness goals among the young people in Miami-Dade County."

A key cornerstone of ING's sponsorship is the ING Run for Something Better. ING's commitment to the ING Miami Marathon includes establishing and funding this initiative as a means of motivating and inspiring children in grades K-12 to lead physically active and healthy lifestyles. Full details of the initiative are planned for announcement in late summer as the initiative is still in development. ING and PR Racing are continuing to develop details around this goal-oriented program - including discussions with Miami Dade County Public Schools.

"We are very excited to partner with ING and are delighted at the energy and focus they bring to our community and the sport of running," said Robert Pozo, Miami Marathon Race Director. "We are very proud of what we've accomplished since the inaugural Race Event in 2003 - and are very pleased at the success we anticipate in the near future as we strive to expand participation in the Race and draw more young people to experience the spirit of running."

With full details set to be announced this summer, both ING and PR Racing indicate that the ING Run For Something Better program is shaping up to focus on middle school students. It is anticipated that the program will be developed in collaboration with the Miami Dade County Public School system as an optional element for physical education classes. A program highlight will be the chance for hundreds of 10-14 year-old kids to choose to participate and run the final mile of the ING Miami Marathon on January 29.

Pozo and Hoden both emphasized their enthusiasm for the innovative nature of the fitness program, especially one that culminates with hundreds of kids having a special opportunity to cross the finish line and earn a medal from the ING Miami Marathon.

Hoden continued, "Running, as a sport, reflects many of ING's core values such as challenging limits, long-term vision and doing things differently." He continued, "The ING Run for Something Better program reflects our desire to support and enhance the sport of running in a way that will positively affect people of all ages and walks of life - including children and young people."

Pozo added that the collaborative program will further advance PR Racing's efforts to promote health and fitness, and is expected to have a visible impact on the local community.

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 entire families. This 4th annual weekend of events is expected to draw over 12,000 runners and walkers.

  The 2006 ING Miami Marathon is Sunday, January 29, 2006.


   Press inquiries:

   ING:               Cindy Schaus, 515 698 7607
                      Christina Divigard, 860 723 2293
                      Seth Gordon, 305 381 8831
   PR Racing:         Danny Elfenbein, 305 278 8668

  ABOUT ING

ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking, insurance and asset management to over 60 million private, corporate and institutional clients in more than 50 countries. With a diverse workforce of over 113,000 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 www.ing.com

ABOUT PR Racing

PR Racing is a Miami-based Health and Fitness Event Management Company devoted to providing awareness to the community for improved and healthier lifestyles. As the producers of the Miami Marathon and Half Marathon and Escape to Miami Triathlon, PR Racing has established world-class destination events that draw thousands of international participants to Miami-Dade County on an annual basis. PR Racing prides itself in creating opportunities for their own city and all of their neighbors to live healthier and happier through the production of fitness events.

ABOUT ING Miami Marathon

The ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon is the premier running event in South Florida. The race creates awareness for healthy lifestyles in the local community. The 4th annual race runs on January 29, 2006 with over 12,000 runners and walkers expected to be in Miami, Miami Beach, and Miami-Dade County. The event has created an estimated $35 million economic impact on the surrounding community. For more information logon to www.ingmiamimarathon.com or call 305-278-8668.

ABOUT ING Run For Something Better

Running, as a sport, reflects many of ING's core values such as challenging limits, long-term vision and doing things differently. The ING Run for Something Better program reflects ING's desire to support and enhance the sport of running in a way that will positively affect people across age groups in multiple communities. A collaborative program, it is also intended to further advance PR Racing's efforts to promote health and fitness, and is expected to have a visible impact on the local community in greater Miami. Full details on the ING Run For Something Better program will be announced this summer, but both ING and PR Racing indicate that the effort is shaping up to focus on middle school students. It is anticipated that the program will be developed in collaboration with the Miami Dade County School system as an optional element for physical education classes - highlighted by a chance for hundreds of 10-14 year-old kids to choose to participate and run the final mile of the ING Miami Marathon on January 29. ING and PR Racing anticipate the innovative nature of the fitness program will culminate in hundreds of kids having a special opportunity to run the final mile of the Race - crossing the finish line and earning a medal from the ING Miami Marathon.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050525/CLW064
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

SOURCE: ING U.S. Financial Services

CONTACT: Cindy Schaus, +1-515-698-7607, or Christina Divigard,
+1-860-723-2293, or Seth Gordon, +1-305-381-8831, all of ING; or Danny
Elfenbein of PR Racing, +1-305-278-8668

Web site: http://www.ing.com/us