IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether running through all five boroughs on race day, keeping pace while commuting on the 6 train each morning, or dashing around a downtown diner, each New Yorker is a marathoner in his or her own right. It is no coincidence that more than two million spectators line the streets to cheer on the 50,000 runners who descend upon the streets of New York City each November to compete in the country's largest marathon. In celebration of every type of marathoner, ASICS America, an official race sponsor for over 20 years, is bringing its "We Are Marathoners" campaign back to the Big Apple for this year's TCS New York City Marathon. The multi-faceted campaign honors the commitment, character and courage of marathoners with a multitude of personalized mini-marathoner statues commemorating this year's runners and limited-edition TCS New York City Marathon apparel and footwear collection.
"Completing a marathon, especially the TCS New York City Marathon, is the ultimate bucket-list accomplishment," explained Kevin Wulff, President and CEO of ASICS America Corporation. "Only an elite few have the opportunity to tackle the 26.2 mile course throughout New York City's five boroughs, and the tenacity, strength and perseverance that define marathoners are an integral part of the city of New York's DNA. It is these inspiring performances throughout the city, on race day, and every day that make ASICS proud to be a part of the TCS New York City Marathon family for more than 20 years."
Mini-Marathoners Immortalize a Major Accomplishment New to this year's "We Are Marathoners" campaign, ASICS has included a special tribute to an elite group of runners who will cross the finish line with 26.2 miles under their belt on November 2. Five hundred runners will have their likeness immortalized into a personalized "mini-marathoner" to commemorate the accomplishment, which is anything but small, long past race day. ASICS invited this year's marathon participants to submit headshots to receive a complimentary personalized keepsake created using state-of-the-art 3D printing technologies. The miniatures will run the marathon alongside their life size counterparts as ASICS will monitor this select group of 500 runners' progress and create real-time Facebook posts for each racer showing their "mini-marathoner" passing by iconic locations on the race course, timed exactly to the real runner's progress.
Marathoners who missed the opportunity to be a part of this elite group of 500 still have the opportunity to score a mini-marathoner from ASICS before the race. On Saturday, November 1, runners can enlist the support of their family, friends and fans in the bid to receive an ASICS Mini Marathoner. Runners who sign up will be placed on the starting line of a virtual race map, dependent on their friends and families' participation to move them along the racecourse. Each Tweet to the runner's Twitter handle including the hashtag #minimarathoner will move them along the course. The top 50 runners with the most Tweets will win their own Mini Marathoner statue. For more information and to sign up for the ASICS Mini Marathon, please visit http://www.minimarathoner.com.
The "We Are Marathoners" campaign will also appear larger than life throughout the city in the days leading up to race day. The advertising and marketing campaign captures the pride and passion of New York while also paying homage to all the aspects of the marathon that ASICS stands for – the pursuit of competition, camaraderie and continuous improvement. "We Are Marathoners" can be seen on double decker buses on the city's streets, a Time Warner Center takeover, WABC/ESPN2 broadcast buys, Time Square out-of-home race simulcast, and more.
ASICS Puts Its #BestFeetForward ASICS is dispatching a team of experts into Central Park to ensure New Yorkers are putting their best foot forward year-round. As part of ASICS' "Run It Forward" program, runners will be surprised by ASICS athlete and the fastest America male marathoner Ryan Hall, with the opportunity to upgrade their current footwear to ASICS, including other prizes and surprises. Professional triathlete and Olympian Gwen Jorgensen will also be on hand to surprise runners in the park.
ASICS fans around the country can also put their best foot forward on Instagram and Twitter leading up to race day. Through November 2, ASICS America is asking fans to take to social media to share who has inspired them to "Better Their Best" by using the hashtag #BestFeetForward along with tagging two friends to keep the chain going. ASICS America will donate two dollars to non-profit organization Back on My Feet'sNew York City chapter for each original post up to $26,200 dollars. Back on My Feet is a national nonprofit organization that uses running to help those experiencing homelessness change the way they see themselves, enabling them to make real change in their lives that results in employment and independent living.
ASICS GEL-Kayano Turns 21 in New York City Style Runners will be able to wear their marathon pride from head to toe, with ASICS' 2014 TCS New York City Marathon footwear and apparel collection featuring custom marathon editions of ASICS favorites. The collection serves as a badge of honor for runners to commemorate their marathon experience long after they cross the finish line. The lightest most luxurious Kayano yet, the GEL-Kayano® 21 receives a little New York pizazz as part of the collection. The GEL-Kayano® 21 is available for a limited time in a custom color scheme with the year featured proudly on the back. ASICS' GEL-Nimbus® 16, a hallmark in ASICS cushioning category, is also available in a limited edition TCS New York City Marathon design for runners who prefer a more neutral shoe. Along with footwear the collection includes accessories and apparel in special marathon design, to help runners mark their feat. Runners can grab a piece from the collection at select retailers throughout New York City, at the ASICS expo booth or online at ASICSAmerica.com
Team ASICS Runs New York A brand characterized by its legacy coupled with fresh innovation, it is only fitting that the highly accomplished marathoner Deena Kastor will compete in this year's TCS New York City Marathon, along with up and coming ASICS Mammoth Track Club runner Lauren Kleppin on of behalf of Team ASICS. ASICS athletes from around the globe will also travel to New York City to compete on race day. International athletes include ASICS Japan's Yuki Kawauchi, a Japanese marathon runner who came to prominence after running the 2011 Tokyo Marathon in 2:08:37, finishing as the first Japanese and third overall. ASICS Europe athletes Gelsomino Claudia of Italy, Urige Buta of Norway and Falk Cierpinski of Germany will also race on Marathon Sunday.
Stay on Pace with ASICS ASICS continues to support marathoners on race day with ASICS Pace Your Race, the official paceband of the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon. A free service developed by ASICS and designed to help marathoners run their best race, Pace Your Race uses a proprietary algorithm to create personalized split times catered to each runner's race preferences, whether it's a desired finish time or an average pace to keep throughout the marathon. For pre-registration leading up to race day, runners can sign up at PaceYourRace.ASICS.com and pick up their paceband at one of the locations listed below. Runners can also sign up and pick up their paceband in person between Thursday, October 30 - Saturday, November 1 at one of the following event locations:
ASCIS Expo Booth @ The Javitz Center Thursday, October 30th9am-8pm Friday, October 31st10am-8pm Saturday, November 1st9am-5pm
ASICS MEATPACKING DISTRICT 420 W 14th Street Hours: 10am - 8pm
ASICS TIMES SQUARE 120 W 42nd Street Hours: 7am - 12am
Fans can visit http://www.asicsamerica.com/nycm to learn more about ASICS America's support of the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon.
About ASICS Anima Sana In Corpore Sano, meaning "A Sound Mind in a Sound Body," is an old Latin phrase from which ASICS is derived and the fundamental platform on which the brand still stands. The company was founded more than 60 years ago by Kihachiro Onitsuka and is now a leading designer and manufacturer of performance athletic shoes, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.asics.com.
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