NYAA to Provide Apples and Air Commercial During World’s Largest Marathon; Cynthia Haskins Comments

FISHERS, NY - The New York Apple Association will again serve as an official sponsor of the 54th TCS New York City Marathon, providing New York State-grown apples at the finish line, at several related events, and to race volunteers. More than 50,000 runners are expected to complete the 26.2-mile course.

Joel Crist of Crist Bros Orchards Inc. will be featured in a half-hour special segment airing on ABC7 on Saturday, Nov. 1, titled Countdown to the Starting Line. The segment, filmed in the orchard, includes Crist giving television producers a behind-the-scenes tour and sharing insights into apple production.

The special will highlight pre-race coverage, inspiring stories, and a sneak peek at the excitement leading up to the big day. Countdown to the Starting Line is hosted by ABC7 news anchors Liz Cho and David Novarro and will air following the late-night edition of Eyewitness News. NYAA is a longtime sponsor of the marathon and of ABC7’s race-day coverage.

NYAA has arranged for their commercial to run during the NYC Marathon with local coverage on WABC and national coverage on ESPN. The TCS New York City Marathon takes place Sunday, Nov. 2, transforming all five boroughs into a celebration of endurance, music and pure New York City spirit. Runners from over 130 countries will take to the streets, cheered on by more than 2 million in-person spectators. Produced by the nonprofit New York Road Runners, the marathon is one of the city’s most anticipated annual events.

“The New York Apple Association has been a long-running sponsor of the New York City Marathon, and we look forward to the event each year. We have arranged for each runner to receive a New York State apple at the finish line,” said Cynthia Haskins, president and CEO of the association, in the recent release.

Apples provide carbohydrates for energy and fluid for hydration, both of which are essential for endurance sports like marathons. Two varieties, SnapDragon® and McIntosh, will be available at this year’s race.

NYAA’s sponsored runners include New York State apple growers and members of the apple industry. Among them are Tenley Fitzgerald of Yes! Apples; Lyle Trombly of Chazy Orchards; Derek Grout of Golden Harvest Apples and Harvest Spirits; Cooper Grany of Doc’s Cider and Dawn Williams of the New York Apple Association and others.