Watermelon Hydrates 2016 Marine Corps Marathon

WINTER SPRINGS, FL – More than $25,000 worth of watermelon was given out by the National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) to athletes and supporters 0f the 41st Marine Corps Marathon. A source of citrulline and potassium with 92% water, watermelon was a post-race treat for sore and tired participants of the race, also known as the “People’s Marathon.”

The annual race took place this year on October 30 and is the third largest marathon in the country with nearly 20,000 marathon and 5,000 10k finishers. Now a marathon mainstay, the Watermelon Board considers the race a perfect forum to communicate watermelon’s natural health benefits to runners and fans alike.

“We’ve sponsored the marathon for four consecutive years and people tell us they look forward to seeing fresh watermelon at the marathon finish festival,” said Stephanie Barlow, Senior Director of Communications at NWPB. “Watermelon is the perfect post-race food to rehydrate, replenish and refuel.”

This year, to help amplify watermelon as a healthy addition to a fitness training regime, the Board partnered with Registered Dietitian and blogger from Fannetastic Food, Anne Mauney. Mauney created watermelon recipes, wrote about watermelon’s health benefits and was a MCM finisher.

"I love eating watermelon after long training runs and races,” said Mauney. “Watermelon is a great way to rehydrate, and also contains potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and antioxidants – all great for recovery!"

In addition to the Sunday races, the Watermelon Board was also on hand at the Health & Fitness Expo to educate attendees about watermelon as pre- and post-race fuel because of its electrolytes, nutrients and high water content. The National and State Watermelon Queens were there for photo opportunities as well. Along with the Queens, NWPB’s mascot, J. Slice, visited the Saturday Kid’s Run to serve sliced watermelon wedges.

All of the watermelon distributed throughout the weekend was supplied by The Class Produce Group, a Maryland-based, family owned and operated produce wholesaler.

For more information about watermelon nutrition, including tips and resources, recipe ideas, and workouts, visit watermelon.org/watermelonforhealth.

About National Watermelon Promotion Board

The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB), based in Winter Springs, Florida, was established in 1989 as an agricultural promotion group to promote watermelon in the United States and in various markets abroad. Funded through a self-mandated industry assessment paid by more than 1,500 watermelon producers, handlers and importers, NWPB mission is to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotion, research and education programs.

Watermelon, the produce leader in lycopene, is a multivitamin unto itself, with each serving providing an excellent source of Vitamins A and C and a good source of Vitamin B6 with only 80 calories. Watermelon consumption per capita in the United States was an estimated 14.8 pounds in 2015. Watermelon volume in the United States was approximately 4.7 billion pounds in 2015. For additional information, visit www.watermelon.org.

Source: National Watermelon Promotion Board