The beef checkoff gave folks a running start at the 10th Annual Christiana Care Health System Delaware Marathon, May 11 – 12 at the Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park in Wilmington, Delaware. The checkoff’s Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative (NEBPI) sponsored Dane Rauschenberg to run the half marathon on May 12 and exhibited at the event to share messages about the nutritional benefits of beef to runners and supporters. Nearly perfect running conditions brought out more than 3,000 runners on race day and another 5,000 spectators to help cheer them on.
Rauschenberg is an extreme athlete who made his mark as a man who ran 52 marathons in 52 consecutive weekends. He has since run a 202-mile relay solo and completed a 350-mile run up the coast of Oregon. Rauschenberg united with the beef checkoff to help educate expo attendees on the nutrition profile of beef and, more specifically, how it helps him fuel for the finish. The running community also had the opportunity to purchase and receive a signed copy of Rauschenberg’s second book, 138,336 Feet to Pure Bliss.
Rauschenberg spoke with booth visitors about his love both for beef and running. “Every race experience is unique, and you always wonder how people will respond to the lean beef message," he said. “Once again, however, I am surprised by the massive number of people (who I call the silent majority) who thrive as a people and athletes using lean beef as their protein power-up of choice. The Delaware Marathon gave us an opportunity to not only build our footprint with those already agreeing with the message but also educate those who had been led in the wrong direction by misinformation about beef." Rauschenberg completed the half marathon at 1:29:46.4, finishing third in his age division. Follow Dane on his blog at SeeDaneRun.
Prior to the race, runners and Expo attendees joined in on the fun at the beef booth by making a “Powered by Beef" cheer card to encourage runners on race day or test their Beef I.Q. with the Beef Trivia spin wheel. Checkoff representatives distributed more than 500 beef sticks, along with nutritional information, recipes and the chance to win the “I Heart Beef’ raffle.
For more information about the beef checkoff at the 2013 Delaware Marathon, contact Jennifer Harrold or visit the NEBPI website for photos and more event details.
The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.
Source: The Beef Checkoff Program