Fishers, N.Y. — The run-away favorite apple of many New Yorkers has been named the official fruit of the 2015 TCS New York City Marathon.
New York state McIntosh apples have been declared the official apple of the event, reports New York Apple Association (NYAA). An 18-year sponsor of the Big Apple's largest marathon, this year NYAA distributed apples at the finish line as well as several related events. The association also sponsored 15 runners including members of the Rochester police and fire departments.
82,320 New York state apples served
As a Supporting Sponsor, NYAA provided more than 80,000 local McIntosh apples for the event – 82,320 to be exact. Of those, 56,160 were distributed to TCS New York City Marathon finishers on Nov. 1. Apples were also distributed at the Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff on Oct. 25, the NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K on Oct. 31, the TCS Run With Champions on Oct. 30 and the TCS New York City Marathon Eve Dinner on Oct. 31, and to finish volunteers on Nov. 1.
"Apples are great for restoring your kick after a run, or any exercise for that matter – and it doesn't get any more 'New York' than our top variety McIntosh," said NYAA President Jim Allen. "We are glad to support our local community and a world-famous healthy event, while shining a spotlight on our state's great apples at the same time."
NYAA encouraged participants in this year's TCS New York City Marathon and related events to "Munch a McIntosh" via advertisements in the runner handbook, check-in goodie bag, event program, wayfinding towers in the TCS New York City Marathon Start Village, 5-second public announcements at the expo and the finish, and race results edition.
Note to editors:
Pictures from NYAA’s sponsorship of the 2013 and 2014 New York City Marathon can be downloaded from NYAA’s Flickr page.
About the TCS New York City Marathon
The TCS New York City Marathon is the premier event of New York Road Runners (NYRR) and the largest marathon in the world. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the race features the world’s top professional athletes and a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners. The race began in 1970 with just 127 entrants running four laps around Central Park, and expanded citywide in 1976. In 2014, a record 50,530 runners from 130 countries toured New York City’s five boroughs, including the one-millionth finisher in the history of the event, starting on Staten Island at the foot of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and running through the neighborhoods of Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, before ending in Manhattan at the iconic Central Park finish line. More than one million spectators line the city streets to cheer on the runners, while millions more watch the live television broadcast in the United States and around the world. The race is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a series featuring the world’s top marathons—Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York—and crowning the top professional male and female marathoners in the world. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a leading global IT services, consulting, and business solutions organization, is the premier partner of NYRR and the title sponsor of the TCS New York City Marathon. To learn more, visit the TCS New York City Marathon website at www.tcsnycmarathon.com.
About New York Apple Association
A nonprofit agricultural trade association based in Fishers, N.Y., NYAA represents the state's commercial apple growers. The grower-funded association supports profitable growing and marketing of New York apples through increasing demand for apples and apple products, representing the industry at state and federal levels, and serving as the primary information source on New York-apple related matters. For more information, visit www.nyapplecountry.com.
Source: New York Apple Association