Unprecedented First-Place Prize Purse: ING Run for Something Better Boosts Prize Money for Female Division of ING New York City Marathon

ING has expanded the ING Run for Something Better program by funding a $30,000 bonus to the women's champion of the ING New York City Marathon 2005. The $130,000 purse for the top female finisher is the largest first-place prize in the history of marathoning.

"The attributes of marathon running mirror those attributes ING encourages in its own employees and in the way it conducts business -- challenging limits, commitment to long-term vision, and doing things differently," said Toby Hoden, chief marketing officer, ING U.S. Financial Services. "In this same spirit, the ING Run for Something Better has supplemented the prize money for the top female finisher."

Not only is this the largest first-place prize in the history of marathons, it is also the first time any major sports event has put up more money for the women's winner than for the men's winner.

In addition to the ING Run for Something Better prize money, ING will also donate a total of $150,000, equally split between the New York Road Runners Foundation and the City Parks Foundation, on behalf of the top four women finishers.

The ING Run for Something Better now encompasses the women's field of the ING New York City Marathon, competing not only to win the race, but also to raise money for New York track and field programs. The 2005 ING Run for Something Better will benefit track and field programs for New York City children during the school year through the New York Road Runners Foundation, and over the summer months through the City Parks Foundation for a 12-month fitness program. Both organizations reflect NYRR's and ING's shared commitment to the sport of running, to youth, and to the local community.

"The ING Run for Something Better program was created to support and enhance the sport of running in a way that will positively affect the people and communities of New York, especially among the city's youth," said Hoden. "The goal is to not only help youngsters develop their physical selves, but also to instill in them the spirit of competition, determination and inspiration -- all characteristics that will serve them well throughout their academic and working lives."

Since its inception in 2003, the ING Run for Something Better has contributed close to $500,000 to community and youth running organizations and has had an immediate and visible impact in New York. The City Parks Foundation used ING Run for Something Better funds to expand its free summer track and field programs at parks throughout New York -- doubling the number of children participating in the program. In addition, the ING Run for Something Better contributed to the New York Road Runners Foundation to support their efforts to expand the school day Running Partners Mileage Club program to serve an additional 1,000 children.

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 114,000 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/.

New York Road Runners

New York Road Runners, soon to celebrate its 50th anniversary, is dedicated to promoting the sport of distance running and enhancing health and fitness for all. Our road races and other fitness programs draw upwards of 300,000 runners annually, and together with our magazine and Web site support and promote professional and recreational running. A staff of 60, assisted by thousands of volunteers, stages the ING New York City Marathon, as well as a road race nearly every weekend plus many track and cross country events. NYRR's home base in New York, and its lifelong identification with Central Park, have given many of its events iconic status, attracting the world's top professional runners. For more information visit http://www.nyrr.org/.

ING New York City Marathon.

The premier event of New York Road Runners, the ING New York City Marathon is one of the world's great road races, drawing more than 85,000 applicants. The race attracts many world-class professional athletes, not only for the more than $600,000 in prize money, but also for the chance to excel in the media capital of the world before two million cheering spectators and 260 million worldwide television viewers. As any one of the 635,000 past participants will attest, crossing the finish line in Central Park is one of the great thrills of a lifetime. For more information visit http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/

   Press inquiries:
   ING U.S. Financial Services
   Christina Divigard, 860 723 2293, christina.divigard@us.ing.com

   New York Road Runners
   Richard Finn, 212 423 2229, rfinn@nyrr.org

SOURCE: ING U.S. Financial Services

CONTACT: Christina Divigard of ING U.S. Financial Services,
+1-860-723-2293, or christina.divigard@us.ing.com ; or Richard Finn of New
York Road Runners, +1-212-423-2229, or rfinn@nyrr.org

Web site: http://www.ing.com/
http://www.nyrr.org/
http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/