New Balance Donates $1Million to the One Boston Fund

New Balance Makes $1 Million Donation to The One Fund Boston

Source: New Balance

Date: April 24, 2013

Company foundation to also match New Balance associates' contributions

 

BOSTON - New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc. has announced a $1 million donation to The One Fund Boston to aid those most affected by the tragic events that occurred at the Boston Marathon. With this donation New Balance's contribution is in support of the innocent victims of this tragedy, first responders and to its hometown.

The One Fund Boston was established by Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Governor Deval Patrick, in response to the events at the Boston Marathon in order to swiftly support those directly impa cted. New Balance, which recently announced the construction of a new headquarters in Boston, will continue its more than century long connection to the city continuing to take pride in its history of supporting Boston, its residents, athletes and visitors.

In addition to this donation, the New Balance Foundation will match The One Fund Boston contributions by New Balance associates.

"The events at the Boston Marathon shook the streets of Boston but not the spirit of our city," said Anne Davis, Executive Vice President of Administration for New Balance. "In the aftermath of this tragedy and the remarkable scenes of heroism and bravery, we have never been more proud to be a part of the landscape of Boston. Our thoughts and prayers are today and always will be with the victims of this tragedy."

New Balance's donation to The One Fund Boston and associate match program represent efforts to quickly answer the call to action by city and state officials and stand together as one with Boston.

To learn more about how New Balance Makes Excellent Happen, visit: www.newbalance.com

Simpson wins 1500 at Drake Relays, back with Wetmore as coach

(Courtesy Let's Run)

With $50,000 on the line and a star-studded field that included all of the Big 3 of US stellar’s 1,500 corps – 2011 world champion Jenny Simpson, 2011 world #1 Morgan Uceny, and 2009 bronze medallist Shannon Rowbury – plus the new teen phenom in 16-year old Mary Cain, the women’s 1,500 at the 2013 Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee was one of the most anticipated early season races in recent years on the US circuit.
And the race did not disappoint.
Simpson – who in most races in recent years often left people wondering, “How did she win the world title again?” – was simply sensational as she destroyed the field over the final in 600 to win in a meet record and world leading time of 4:03.35.
More than 30 meters behind, Canadian Olympian and former Villanova star Sheila Reid moved up late to finish second in 4:07.92 meters back in with Kate Grace, the former Yale runner who won the US Road Mile championships in Des Moines on Tuesday, third in a new pr of 4:08.24 (previous best 4:10.57). High school sensation Mary Cain was sixth in a new US high school national record of 4:10.77. Shannon Rowbury, who really was the only women who tried to stay with Simpson, ended up fourth in 4:09.05.

The race took place in windy conditions (The race began at 7:20 CT and weather.com reported 15mph winds from the South at 7:25 pm). However, the rabbit Renee Tomlin was absolutely perfect. She was hired to run two 65 second laps and she did that pretty much spot on.
From the start, Simpson and Cain meant business as they got right behind the rabbit. On the second lap around the 500 mark, Cain backed off and slipped back into fourth as Rowbury moved up and tried to run with Simpson. The duo of Rowbury and Simpson had gapped the field by 800 as Grace tried to keep it close. After 800 (2:11 for Simpson), the rabbit kept going for another 100 meters and when she departed, Simpson already had about a 5 meter lead. And then the final  600, well really the last 400, was breath-taking.
At the bell (3:00.31), Simpson led by roughly 10 meters and it was now time for the Jenny Simpson show. The wind was not stopping Simpson. The field was not stopping Simpson. Soon she’d have a meet record and a much deserved $25,000 payday thanks to a scintillating 64 flat final 400.
With the announcer’s help, Simpson knew  a meet record was withing reach and she went out and got it.
LetsRun.com’s favorite distance commentator Tim Hutchings summed things up perfectly right after the race on the live ESPN3 telecast when he exclaimed, “We can say with some confidence that the world champion is back!!!!”