Legendary softball pitcher Jennie Finch has been hired as an endorser for Timex and will wear a GPS-enabled Timex watch as she runs the ING New York City Marathon 2011, on Sunday, November 6th.
Timex and Finch will work together to support New York Road Runners (NYRR) Youth Programs, which currently serve more than 100,000 children in hundreds of schools and community centers nationwide, promoting health and fitness, character development, and personal achievement in underserved communities.
“As a lifelong athlete who loves to compete, I look forward to testing my limits and getting into the best shape of my life with Timex,” Finch said. “As a mother, I am even more energized by the fact that together, Timex and I will make an impact on the lives of children benefitting from NYRR Youth Programs and encourage students across the country to become physically active.”
Timex will also supply Finch with a marathon coach, Timex Multisport Team athlete Susanne Davis. A decorated triathlete who most recently wowed the field at the 2010 Ford Ironman World Championship, Davis broke the existing 35-39 Age Group world record and placed second overall among all amateur athletes. She was the first amateur American woman to cross the finish line.
Finch's goal is to get fitter and faster than ever before, because on race day she will be the very last person to start the race. For each person she passes, Timex will donate $1 to NYRR's Youth Programs. The campaign will also raise money through the fundraising network Crowdrise.com, where fans can go to support the charity's efforts.
“Jennie has seen tremendous success on the softball field and we're thrilled she is now making the transition to endurance sports by participating in this year's ING New York City Marathon,” said Adam Gurian, President, Timex Business Unit. “Jennie set incredibly high goals for herself at a young age and has worked hard to achieve them. We are excited to have the opportunity to play a key role in Jennie's training by gearing her with the new Run Trainer, which will enhance her training and in turn help us raise more money for NYRR Youth Programs.”
Timex, one of the world's largest watch companies, is a principal sponsor and the exclusive Official Timing Partner of the ING New York City Marathon. The partnership with Finch continues the precedent set by the company in 2010 with Amani Toomer, in which the former New York Giants star trained with the Timex Ironman Global Trainer GPS watch and ran fast enough to pass over half the race participants, raising $25,817 for NYRR Youth Programs.
