For most of us, getting “sponsored” for an athletic occasion like a triathlon or half-marathon most likely means sending emails to our associates, household, and coworkers asking them to point out their assist with a donation. “Sponsorship” doesn’t normally embrace an enormous model getting concerned, like it could for knowledgeable athlete.
This marathon season, that’s altering. Milk—as in, the dairy beverage—has launched a brand new marketing campaign known as 26.2 that’s particularly meant to assist feminine runners within the New York Metropolis Marathon, which takes place on November 6. Should you’re a lady runner doing the race, you’ll be able to signal as much as get “sponsored” by Milk, regardless of your tempo or expertise degree. Have a look at you, massive shot!
Milk will match your registration payment ($295) with an in-kind donation to the non-profit group Women On The Run, which helps educate and empower women by way of working. (They’re matching charges for a complete donation of as much as $600,000). Members of #TeamMilk will even get working swag, a cheering part on the race, academic prep and restoration supplies, and a web-based neighborhood.
The sponsorship marketing campaign is a technique that Milk (which is definitely a commerce consortium known as America’s Milk Firms) is making an attempt to place itself as a efficiency drink. Chocolate milk has lengthy been a go-to restoration beverage. And vitamins, energy, protein, and fats are all needed to assist gas your physique for runs, so the concept is sensible! (That’s, if we will recover from the enduring Anchorman “milk was a foul selection” scene. Oof, sorry, Milk.)
However the group additionally says they’re doing the marketing campaign to lift consciousness across the hole in sponsorships that women and men athletes get. The pay hole in skilled sports activities is well-known, however Milk says that, in accordance with Deloitte Insights, simply 7 p.c of the $30 billion spent globally on sponsorships goes to sportswomen.
America’s manufacturers can actually do higher than that, and it appears to be like like Milk desires to be on the entrance of the pack.
Whether or not you are coaching for a marathon or a run across the block, this is a 10-minute mobility exercise that may assist get your legs run-ready.