Chiquita Brands International is the official banana sponsor of the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon.
At the Nov. 4 event, Chiquita will supply 46,000 bananas to participants at the start, finish and at mile markers 21, 22 and 23, according to a news release.
Chiquita’s banana character, Bananaman, will hand out bananas at the start of the race.
This year, Chiquita will support employee Jennifer Griggs, senior transportation analyst at Chiquita, who plans to run in the marathon for the first time.
“I’ve been working at Chiquita for more than four years, and I’m grateful for their support in helping to achieve my dream of running in the TCS New York City Marathon, especially with the natural fruit that helps fuel my runs,” Jennifer Griggs said in the release. “I run to challenge myself both physically and mentally, and I look to Chiquita bananas to give me the boost I need to power through the long miles and even help me to avoid cramping post-run.”
Chiquita is encouraging its fans and fellow marathoners to follow Jennifer’s journey on Chiquita’s Instagram (@ChiquitaBrands).
Bananas fit the needs of runners, according to the release.
“During a marathon the runners’ body is put to the ultimate test,” Jamie Postell, director of sales for North America for Chiquita, according to the release. “We encourage runners to eat at least one Chiquita banana before and after the run because bananas are known to not only help improve running performance, but also contain the essential nutrients to help the body repair itself after an intense run.”
