Team ZIP was present in full force at the Boston Marathon, April 19-21, demonstrating the Power of Protein to runners and spectators from all over the world. Three members of Team ZIP ran in the world's oldest annual marathon, including NCBA Executive Committee member Ford Drummond, a 3rd generation cow/calf and stocker operator of Drummond Ranch in Pawhuska, Okla. (pictured at left after the run holding his finisher's medal!).
Also running for team ZIP with steak-adorned jerseys were Michelle Baade, Colo. (sister-in-law of Kristy Lage, American National CattleWomen president-elect); and Lucinda Harnish, Penn. (daughter of Clayton Harnish, veal representative to the Federation of State Beef Councils in Pennsylvania).
“The marathon was fun and challenging as always, but Team ZIP (Zinc, Iron, Protein) received a lot of positive feedback from spectators and words of encouragement along the way. Other runners complimented me on the jersey and my husband, Brad, also wore a Team ZIP jersey as he cycled along the course, providing some additional exposure for our beef nutrition message,” says Harnish. “I look forward to wearing my ZIP jersey again this summer at other running events to help promote beef.”
Beyond featuring three runners in the race, Team ZIP members (including staff from the Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative, New York Beef Industry Council, and Pennsylvania Beef Council) worked the beef booth at the John Hancock Sports and Fitness Expo throughout the entire weekend, serving up samples of beef to hungry runners and talking up the benefits of lean beef in a healthy diet.
The Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative (NEBPI) worked with the checkoff-funded Beef and Veal Culinary Center to demonstrate Roast Beef & Veggie Wraps, a lean, portable and easy recipe, serving just over 7,000 samples to marathon runners. Through partners Johnnie’s Foodmaster (who donated 200 pounds of Certified Angus Beef roast beef), Dole, Harbar Foods and Richelieu Foods, all wrap ingredients were donated.
“Our efforts to spread the message about the benefits of lean beef really hit home with this active consumer audience,” says Emilie Miller, Director of Retail & Foodservice Relations for the NEBPI. “We heard comments such as ‘I was a vegetarian – up until an hour ago!’, ‘You just saved a runner’s body.’ and ‘I learned so much and feel much more confident about eating beef.’ Dedication begins on the farm with our producers and this spring in Boston, beef crossed the finish line a winner.”
Pictures of Team ZIP in Action!
Jean O'Toole (far left) and Kara Behlke (far right) of the New York Beef Industry Council flank former American marathon record holder Bill Rodgers and Emilie Miller of the Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative.
Runners sample lean beef at the Sports and Fitness Expo.
Team ZIP members join Beef Ambassadors in staffing the booth at the Sports and Fitness Expo.
Team ZIP pride!
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