Dole Plc year-long 125th Banana-Versary celebration continues with another strategy centred on the beloved fruit. Dole is searching for 125 banana-loving runners in and around Charlotte, North Carolina, to participate in one of three events at the 2024 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon on November 16.

“Dole’s partnership with the Charlotte Marathon simply reinforces what marathoners and other runners everywhere have known for years: Bananas are nature’s perfect pre-, during-, and post-race recovery food,” said William Goldfield, Director of Corporate Communications. “In addition to fibre, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and a range of antioxidants, bananas are rich in carbohydrates and a high-energy source that aids in both athletic performance and muscle recovery.”

Dole, which operates its United States corporate office in Uptown Charlotte, partnered with Run Charlotte in July to become the Official Banana of the Charlotte Marathon to salute its historic banana milestone as well as the research-backed health, wellness, and post-race recovery benefits of America’s most popular fruit.

A press release stated that in addition to covering race fees for the Charlotte Marathon, Half-Marathon, or Chick-fil-A 5K, Dole will ask the 125 runners to don an official DoleRuns Charlotte Marathon run shirt. Dole also hosts the Dole Going All Bananas Recovery Tent on Race Day and offers Dole recipes, training tips, and other pre-race resources.

Dole’s free race packages will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 125 runners who register at a particular Charlotte Marathon registration site for Dole runners. As the official banana provider, Dole will also hand out DOLE® bananas to all runners on Race Day, led by its iconic 7-foot healthy-eating ambassador, Bobby Banana.

The company is also assembling a Dole Banana Bunch cheering section to encourage runners on Race Day from a dedicated viewing area.

“This year, in honor of our 125th Banana-Versary, we’re excited at the prospect of seeing 125 banana enthusiasts out on the course spreading the fruit’s remarkable health and wellness message—as well as many more cheering from the sidelines. It’s the perfect culmination of our year-long Dole Bananas birthday party,” Goldfield continued.

In-store messaging, contests, partnerships, recipes, and appearances by Bobby Banana will continue the celebration year-round. Stay in the loop with ANUK.