MARATHON® Bar Unveils Game Plan for Active People to 'STAY ON' During the Athletic Offseason

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., Dec. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --The winter months mark the end of the outdoor training season for many active people, and the colder, shorter days can make it challenging to stay motivated and active. That's why Mars Chocolate North America is proud to announce that its MARATHON^® brand has developed the MARATHON^® Bar Offseason Game Plan, a set of fun, simple training and nutrition programs designed to help encourage and support athletes who strive to finish 2012 strong and "STAY ON. KEEP ON. ^®" this offseason.

Whether the goal is to maintain endurance in between race seasons, effectively provide rest and recovery to a fatigued body, or simply to stay healthy and active during the long winter months, MARATHON^® Brand understands that simple strategies for training and nutrition can make a difference for active people alike. The MARATHON^® Bar Offseason Game Plan was developed using first-hand knowledge and experience provided by USA Cycling and Triathlon Coach Gale Bernhardt and nationally renowned sports dietician Dr. Janet Brill.

"With more and more people looking for the right balance between rest and recovery, staying active and healthy, and proper nutrition during the winter months, the MARATHON^® Bar Offseason Game Plan provides the perfect approach for any caliber of athlete," said Coach Bernhardt. "Consumers should keep MARATHON^® Bars as an important part of their offseason active lifestyle routines – not only do they taste great, every bar is packed full of protein and essential vitamins important for both professional athletes and anyone simply looking to stay active while juggling busy schedules."

The MARATHON^® Bar Offseason Game Plan has easy-to-follow tips to help you run your day, your way this offseason, including:  

1. Embrace the Cold: Don't let the chilly temperatures scare you. Use the cold as an opportunity to find unique ways to get in some good cardio or strength work by raking leaves, shoveling the driveway, building a snowman or going on a winter weather hike.
2. Break Outside of the Gym: Winter workouts don't need to be relegated to the gym. Find an at-home fitness tape (Pilates, Yoga, cardio, etc.) or an on-demand television work out and do your own in-house boot camp once a week to mix things up. 
3. Mix Up Your Fitness: Use the winter season to learn a new skill. Try something new like indoor rock climbing, a dance class, fitness boxing, or cross-country skiing. Check out your local fitness center for ideas.

TASTE AND NUTRITION IN EVERY BITE

MARATHON^® Bars are delicious, satisfying energy snacks that provide the long lasting energy needed for active consumers to run their day, their way. Every bar is packed full of protein and essential vitamins with 150-290 calories per serving for simple or substantial snacking, and is powered by the satisfying taste you've grown to love from the SNICKERS^® Brand.

MARATHON^® Bars can be found at select mass, food, drug and convenience stores or online at www.marathonbars.com, and are available in both protein and energy bars – both available in seven delicious flavors.

• MARATHON^® Energy (10-14g protein, 3-5g fiber,16-18 vitamins & minerals)
  • Available in Chewy Peanut Butter, Chewy Chocolatey Peanut, Crunchy Multi Grain and Crunchy Dark Chocolate
• MARATHON^® Protein (20-21g protein, 10-11g fiber, 16 vitamins and minerals)
  • Available in Caramel Nut Rush and Chocolatey Nut Burst

Athletes can download the MARATHON^® Bar Offseason Game Plan directly from the MARATHON^® Bar Facebook page, where they'll also find tips and articles from our experts, motivation from like-minded active people, and opportunities to win MARATHON^® Bar fitness gear and product. Visit www.facebook.com/MarathonBar for more details.

About Mars Chocolate North America:

Mars Chocolate North America is the North American chocolate operations of Mars, Incorporated.  In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars' first roots as a confectionery company.  In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY® bar.  In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of  building a business based on the philosophy of a "mutuality of benefits" for all stakeholders – this vision serves as the foundation of the Mars, Incorporated we are today.  Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $30 billion and six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks and Symbioscience.  More than 65,000 Associates worldwide are putting our Mars Principles in action every day to make a difference for people and the planet through our performance.

Mars brands include: Chocolate – M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Petcare – PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, SHEBA®, CESAR® and ROYAL CANIN®; Wrigley – ORBIT®, EXTRA®, STARBURST®, DOUBLEMINT® and SKITTLES®; Food – UNCLE BEN'S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS® and SEEDS OF CHANGE®; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA CO.™, KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience –SERAMIS®, CIRKU™ and COCOAVIA™.

For more information, please visit www.mars.com.

SOURCE Mars Chocolate North America