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ASB’s Wayne Martin Runs Marine Corps Marathon
ASB’s Wayne Martin Runs Marine Corps Marathon
Wayne Martin, Director of Vendor Relations at American Solutions for Business, ran in the prestigious Marine Corps Marathon in the Washington, DC area on Sunday, October 29. He was sponsored by Ashworth Awards, a Patriot Partner with American and a provider of medallions to the event. Dan Ashworth, Co-owner of Ashworth Awards, said, “The Marine Corps Marathon is a huge event and we were pleased to sponsor Wayne this year.” Ashworth’s wife, Kimberly, ran with Martin and they crossed the finish line hand-in-hand, arms raised to celebrate together what they had accomplished. With the time of 4 hours, 12 minutes and 18 seconds, Martin placed 272nd in his division and Ashworth placed 252nd in hers.
Also known as the People’s Marathon, this year’s event attracted about 34,000 runners and has become the fourth largest marathon in the US. The 26.5 mile course tours the most recognizable buildings and monuments in the country including the Lincoln, FDR and Jefferson Memorials and concludes at the famed Marine Corps War Memorial which depicts the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima.
Wayne has run in a total of 12 marathons including the Chicago Marathon, Minnesota’s Twin Cities Marathon, Minnewaska Warm-up (Glenwood, MN), and Grandma’s Marathon (Duluth, MN). All runners at the Marine Marathon carried a little micro chip on their shoes that served as a tracking devise. “I had a friend back in Minnesota who said he logged in to his computer and followed my progress every step of the way on a little map,” said Martin. “Many people in the Marine Marathon were running in memory of a friend or loved one lost during a recent war. They had pictures pinned to their shirts or stories about them on banners along the route. Running in the nation’s capital, surrounded by that much history and getting to experience it first hand made it more emotional than other marathons,” said Martin, who has also been in 12 cross-country skiing marathons.
Martin participated in this marathon as a VIP because he was sponsored by Ashworth Awards, and he was included in festivities both before and after the race. He had opportunities to meet company owners from across the country who are associated with the running/marathon industry. Martin commented, “I met race organizers, planners, people from technology companies and others associated with the industry. There were workshops for officials to learn where and how to purchase wearables, promotional products, printing, signage and so much more. There were so many great opportunities.”
About American Solutions for Business
American Solutions for Business (americanbus.com) is a major distributor of business related items including, but not limited to, business documents, mailing systems, technology, packaging, office supplies, and promotional products. The company operates from the Home Office in Glenwood, Minnesota, and maintains a national sales force of over 550 and support staff of nearly 300. The company is celebrating its twenty-fifth year in business and lists current annual booked sales at $240 million. Sales and distribution occur in 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. ASB was recently ranked number three among top 100 distributors by Business Forms, Labels & Systems magazine.
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