October 27, 2005

OLD ORCHARD BRANDS TO FUEL RUNNERS AT FAMED IWO JIMA MEMORIAL

Marine Corps Marathon runners will refresh with Old Orchard Brands fruit juice cocktails at the race’s finish line.

Sparta, Mich., October 27, 2005 — When runners cross the finish line in the upcoming Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) that winds past some of the nation’s most famous landmarks in Washington D.C., they will re-hydrate with Old Orchard Brands fruit juice.

Old Orchard Brands, a Sparta, Mich.-based company that processes and bottles a variety of fruit juice products, is donating a truckload of its popular beverages to refresh the October, 30 marathon’s more than 30,000 participants, along with children that run in the Healthy Kids Fun Run. 

“Hard driving Marines and long-distance runners alike are concerned with staying hydrated after prolonged exercise,” said Mark Saur, owner of Old Orchard Brands. “Old Orchard Brands fruit juices are an excellent way to accomplish that.”

Saur said his company is honored to be a corporate sponsor of the Marine Corps Marathon, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.  The path of the marathon takes runners past some of the nation’s most famous monuments – including the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the U.S. Capitol – before it ends at the Marine Corps War Memorial.

The MCM was organized and launched in 1976 as an effort to boost the popularity of military service that had ebbed during the Vietnam War.  This year, marathon organizers expect runners from every state in the union and 37 countries, ranging in age from 14 to 83.  More than 8,500 participants of the 2005 MCM are first-time marathon runners.

While the marathon is the focus of the weekend, the three-day event includes such activities as the Marine Corp. Pasta Party, Healthy Kids Fun Run, Runners Expo, and Crystal City Street Spectacular.  An awards show at the Marine Corps War Memorial will cap off the experience on Sunday.

About Old Orchard Brands — Sparta, Michigan-based Old Orchard Brands is one of the fastest growing fruit juice brands in the United States. The privately held company started operations in 1978 and offers consumers 29 frozen concentrate flavors and 36 bottled flavors in a variety of 100 percent fruit juices, blends and low-carbohydrate fruit juice cocktails.

Old Orchard Brands has recently partnered with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) to provide its Healthy Balance fruit juice cocktail as an “official juice” for the JDRF.  A portion of all proceeds from Healthy Balance sales will go towards funding diabetes research.  For more about Old Orchard, visit www.oldorchardjuice.com.