Hockey Legend Mike Richter Sets Goal with ING to Complete the ING New York City Marathon and 'Run for Something Better'

Instead of preventing goals, hockey legend Mike Richter has teamed up with global financial services leader ING and set a goal to complete the 2007 ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 4.

Richter, who led the New York Rangers to the Stanley Cup in 1994 and the United States to a gold medal in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, has joined forces with ING to encourage more New York City boys and girls to fight childhood obesity and get active as part of the national ING Run for Something Better program.

"Since retiring from hockey, I have become an avid endurance athlete who recognizes the long-term fitness benefits of running, cycling and swimming," said Richter. "By setting a goal to complete the ING New York City Marathon, I hope to inspire thousands of children in the city to set their own personal fitness goals and work toward them properly through the ING Run for Something Better program."

The ING Run for Something Better program, which ING proudly offers in partnership with the New York Road Runners Foundation, is the charitable companion to ING's running event sponsorships and advocates a healthy and active lifestyle in the fight against childhood obesity. The youth running program has successfully engaged thousands of children, parents and teachers in New York City since 2003. ING has also successfully established the ING Run for Something Better program in Miami, Atlanta, San Francisco, and it will launch in Denver in October, as part of the other long-distance races ING sponsors.

In New York City, Richter 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 www.orangelaces.com.

"I am delighted to announce our partnership with Mike Richter and his decision to run the 2007 ING New York City Marathon," said Toby Hoden, chief marketing officer, ING US Financial Services. "This partnership represents another step in ING's continued commitment to helping children get a healthy start to life through fitness. We are happy Mike has chosen to join us by increasing awareness for the ING Run for Something Better program in New York City."

The former National Hockey League goaltender is one of the most successful American-born goaltenders in history. In his 14-year career with the Rangers, Richter tallied more than 17,000 saves and over 300 wins in front of the net. He was also instrumental in the United States silver medal win in the 2002 Olympic Games. Richter is currently pursing his undergraduate degree in Ethics, Politics & Economics at Yale University.

  Press inquiries: ING US Financial Services
  Joe Loparco, 860.723.2293 or (cell) 860.462.6525 or
  joseph.loparco@us.ing.com

  About ING

ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking, insurance and asset management to more than 60 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 www.ing.com

About the ING Run for Something Better

The ING Run for Something Better is a fundraising program for free school- based running programs for kids. 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 www.orangelaces.com.

About The 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 90,000 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 312 million worldwide television viewers. As any one of the 672,000 past participants will attest, crossing the finish line in Central Park is one of the great thrills of a lifetime. For more information visit www.ingnycmarathon.org.

About the New York Road Runners Foundation

New York Road Runners Foundation (NYRRF) was originated in 1998 by the New York Road Runners (NYRR), organizers of the ING New York City Marathon and the foremost running association in the world. The Foundation carries out NYRR's youth service mission by establishing running programs that promote at-risk children's physical health, emotional well-being and personal achievement. The Foundation's school day and after school programs provide children with the structure, motivation and methodology to become physically fit now and to remain fit for life. Our programs feature goal setting, nutritional and academic components and currently serve 30,000 children a week in more than 150 schools and community centers. Program sites are primarily located in New York City and are in other American municipalities as well as Cape Town, South Africa.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: joe.loparco@us.ing.com

SOURCE: ING US Financial Services

CONTACT: Joe Loparco of ING US Financial Services, +1-860-723-2293,
+1-860-462-6525 - cell, joseph.loparco@us.ing.com

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