We are proud to say that one organization who really pulls at your heartstrings, Balega, has returned to sponsor our much anticipated Asheville Marathon & Half at Biltmore Estate, scheduled for March 16, 2014, and help support our Charity Partners. The company is world-renowned for both their select running socks and their charitable work. Below is a little of what Balega does and strives for, in their own words:
“Balega is a proud American / South African Initiative. We produce the highest quality technical running socks. We are beyond passionate about our products and believe that their performance and fit characteristics make them unique to the worldwide market.
“We offer real benefits to athletes of all ages and abilities. All of our socks incorporate a hand linked toe closure which eliminates abrasion across the top of the foot. We also knit an extra deep heel pocket, or “Fit Well”, ensuring that our socks fit the foot perfectly and don’t slide during activity.
“More than a passion for socks, we have a passion for community. In 2005 we launched the Lesedi http://www.trevorturnbull.com project which is a non-profit organization that has brought light and enlightenment to 300 disadvantaged pupils of the Ethembeni School for the Physically Disabled in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. Our support varied from scholarships, to a specially adapted wheelchair friendly school bus to our last project which was a sensory, therapy play park.
“We are a company with a lot of soul and besides our goal to make a difference in all our runners wearing our products lives, we want to make a difference around us every day!
“Being NC based, Asheville Marathon is right “next door” to our offices and with causes like Inheritance of Hope and the Mountain Area Health Education Center, it resonated with us as the ideal race to support. There is just never enough money to http://clanofthecats.com/ go around to support the good work some of the amazing people out there do to support the folk in need. Balega would like to help.
“How better to help than through “healing with running”? Wearing our neon orange socks on the day is also a very small fun way for the community to show their support in a very visual way.ʺ
As a proud American/South African initiative, Balega has operations in both countries. Their socks are developed in their state-of-the-art facilities in Cape Town, and distributed from their warehouse in Hickory, NC: right in our own backyard! Their fine socks are sold around the world and proudly worn by innumerable dedicated runners across the globe.
Get your own pair of neon socks at the Race Expo or Pre-Race Dinner.
Balega neon orange socks available for 1/$6 & 2/$10 at the BALEGA booth at the RACE EXPO and the PRE-RACE DINNER. All monies go to our charity partners: MAHEC & IOH.
Note that Balega is a Zulu word meaning “to move with speed.” Balega uses five words to describe the dimensions of their company: performance, harmony, excellence, creativity, and community. While you may find all of these helpful on race day, I believe the most important is community. By purchasing and wearing Balega Neon Socks on race day, you can take your small part in supporting a great organization, and an even greater cause.