Chiquita Powered Life Time Miami Marathon and Half: Crowned the 'Official Banana' to Fuel Runners to Victory
Chiquita continues mission to highlight the fun side of fitness and healthy snacking with annual marathon partnership
Fort Lauderdale, FL – January, 29, 2024 – For the fourth year in a row, Chiquita, the leading banana company, teamed up with the nations’ Healthy Way of Life Brand, Life Time, as the official banana sponsor of the Life Time Miami Marathon and Half Marathon. Near Chiquita’s North American headquarters, the brand supported this covetable race by fueling athletes with thousands of its delicious Chiquita bananas at the start and finish lines, as well as hyping up runners and spectators with Chiquita’s ‘Bananaman’.
“Chiquita bananas contain essential nutrients that not only help boost a runner’s energy before a race, but also help the body repair itself after a strenuous run or workout,” said Tina Varjabedian, Head of Global Communications Manager for Chiquita. “We’re thrilled to have partnered with our neighbors at the Life Time Miami Marathon and Half Marathon for the fourth time to fuel runners and celebrate their accomplishments as they crossed the finish line.”
Chiquita bananas were available at the starting line through the Port of Miami and South Beach grand finish line. Chiquita bananas fueled approximately 18,000 runners including Kenya's George Onyancha who crossed the finish line first, completing all 26.2 miles in 2 hours and 17 minutes. Over the marathon’s 19-year history, the race has developed into an internationally renowned and culturally diverse event with a field of 25,000 runners from all 50 states and over 80 countries.
“Bananas have long been known as a healthy and nutritious post-race snack, and we were delighted to once again partner with such an iconic brand to keep runners fueled with the healthy sugars and energy-boosting nutrients they need,” said Frankie Ruiz, Chief Running Officer at Life Time. “We were excited to have the delicious bananas on site – and of course, Bananaman on-board – to cheer on our runners throughout race day.”
Chiquita encouraged Life Time Miami Marathon and Half Marathon attendees to stop by its tent to say hello, cheer on runners and even participate in pre- and post-run stretches with the iconic Bananaman. To learn more about the high quality of Chiquita’s tasty yellow bananas, visit www.Chiquita.com. For high-res campaign images, see here.
For more information, contact Victoria Jordan, vjordan@coynepr.com.
About Chiquita Brands International
Chiquita is a leading global produce company that is committed to providing both consumers and customers across nearly 70 countries with the highest quality of fruit and service, making Chiquita the banana of choice. For more than 150 years, Chiquita has been proudly producing great-tasting, superior quality bananas. The brand creates a positive impact by implementing the principles of sustainability throughout all of its business practices under the “Behind the Blue Sticker” initiative. Chiquita’s iconic Blue Sticker has been the seal of approval for high-quality fruit, and a celebration of fun, but it also represents an unwavering commitment to sustainable farming, biodiversity and giving back to the communities in which the banana plantations operate. Great-tasting and convenient Chiquita bananas are fat-free, and provide a source of potassium, fiber and vitamin B6. To learn more, visit www.chiquita.com.
About Life Time®
Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its portfolio of more than 170 athletic country clubs across the United States and Canada. The Company's healthy way of life communities and ecosystem address all aspects of healthy living, healthy aging and healthy entertainment for people 90 days to 90+ years old. Supported by a team of more than 37,000 dedicated professionals, Life Time is committed to providing the best programs and experiences through its clubs, iconic athletic events and comprehensive digital platform.
