New York state McIntosh apples have been declared the official apple of the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon, with apple fans being asked to donate to select local charities as part of the New York apple industry’s sponsorship.
The New York Apple Association (NYAA) has sponsored the New York City Marathon on behalf of the state’s apple industry since 1998, with 15 affiliated runners due to take part this time around.
Four of those runners work in the fresh produce industry: Walter Campo of grocer Nicholas Markets Foodtown in Hawthorne, New Jersey; Tenley Allen and Rob Ranieri of Fresh Direct in Long Island City; and Robert Guenther of United Fresh Produce Association of Washington DC.
“Our civic-minded runners have committed to raising charitable funds as part of their marathon participation, and they have selected a broad range of causes that are worthy of support,” said NYAA president Jim Allen.
NYAA’s sponsorship includes providing a total of 88,440 McIntosh apples to be handed out to runners at the finish line.
“Apples are great for refuelling after a run or other exercise, and McIntosh is probably our best-known homegrown variety,” said Allen. “McIntosh and the marathon go together like hand and glove, or let’s say foot and running shoe.”
NYAA is also encouraging participants to ‘Munch a McIntosh’ by advertising in the race’s runner handbook, check-in goodie bag, event programme and race results edition.
“This is a win-win-win situation for everybody – we get to give back to our community, support a healthy event and talk up our state’s great apples at the same time,” Allen concludes.
