Grana Padano Sponsors NYC Marathon

11/3/2011

For the third year, the Consortium for the Protection of Grana Padano cheese is sponsoring the ING New York City Marathon on Nov. 6.

To continue educating the running community about the health benefits of the cheese, Grana Padano has enlisted the help of three food and fitness experts: chef and marathon runner Joe Bastianich, Formula 1 driver and marathon wheeler Alex Zanardi, and Lauren Antonucci, registered dietitian and board certified specialist in sports nutrition, who is running her eighth New York City marathon this year.

During the ING New York City Marathon Health and Fitness Expo, Bastianich and Zanardi will discuss their personal marathon stories and training routines. Antonucci will be speaking as part of the ING Runner's Lounge Speaker Series on the nutritional benefits of Grana Padano and simple, tasty snacks and recipes for pre- and post-marathon.
"Many runners shy away from cheese for fear that it is high in calories and fat or that it will upset their stomach when running. The truth is that Grana Padano is actually quite healthy because it is lactose-free, lower in fat than other cheeses and high in calcium and protein," said Antonucci. "Runners can enjoy Grana Padano as a pre-run snack for a boost of protein and calcium, or as a source of protein for a post-run recovery meal."

This week, Grana Padano is offering tastings at several Manhattan food stores. As part of the ING New York City Marathon Mobile Spectator App, users will be sent a message when they are in the vicinity of select shops that include:

DiPalo's Fine Foods, 200 Grand St.: Nov. 1-6 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Murray's Cheese, 89 E 42nd St.: Nov. 1-3 from 3-7 p.m.
Murray's Cheese, 254 Bleecker St.: Nov. 3-5 from 3-7 p.m.
Gourmet Garage, Eastside 64th St.: Nov. 4-6 from 2-6 p.m.
Gourmet Garage, 155 West 66th St.: Nov. 4-6 from 2-6 p.m.
Salumeria Rosi, 283 Amsterdam Ave: Nov. 1-3 from 3-6 p.m.
Agata & Valentina, 1505 1st Ave: Nov. 3, 5 & 6 from 2-6 p.m.
Grace's Market, 1237 3rd Ave: Nov. 2, 3, & 5 from 2-6 p.m.
Eataly, 200 5th Ave: Nov. 3-5 from 2-6 p.m.

Grana Padano has been part of Italy's gastronomic tradition since 1135, when the monks in the Padana Valley in northern Italy created this recipe for cheese. Today the Consorzio has approximately 200 Grana Padano producers and maturers.

Grana Padano is a registered trademark around the world, and in 1996 it was awarded the status of PDO Protected Designation of Origin cheese, by the European Community in Brussels.