Ewing sponsors employees in race for the eighth year running to encourage health and fitness.

February 1, 2011, Phoenix, Ariz.—The Green Industry and marathon running have at least one thing in common—Ewing Irrigation.

Ewing employees finished the 2012 P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon and Half Marathon on Jan. 15. Team Ewing had 169 participants from 17 states—earning the team first place in the GET FIT Challenge—a friendly competition that encourages companies and groups to train and run in the half or full marathon.

The race tests our bodies, and is a testament to Ewing employees, said Ewing president Doug York.

Some employees ran the race for the eighth time this year. In 2005, Ewing started sponsoring employees in the race to encourage greater health and wellness throughout the company.

At Team Ewing’s pre-race dinner on Jan. 14, Ewing employees shared why they participated in the 13.1- or 26.2-mile race.

Bill Snider, manager of Ewing’s Santa Barbara location, decided to run his first half marathon with the team in 2005 because he hadn’t been exercising. At first he was only able to run for a few minutes, but after months of building up his endurance, he finished his first half marathon.

“It was the longest 2 hours, 21 minutes and 3 seconds of my life, but I’d done something I never thought I’d be able to do.”

He has continued to run the race each year with Team Ewing, and has completed a total of 20 half marathons.

“I’ve learned about nutrition and health, fitness, hydration and pacing…I’m now a runner and will always be a runner,” he said.

Warren Gorowitz, Ewing’s vice president of sustainability and conservation, ran his first half marathon with Ewing in 2006 and discovered his love for running as well.

“It’s an individual sport. You get to challenge yourself every time you’re out there,” he said.

He now has 16 half marathons and five full marathons under his belt, and a new goal to complete a race abroad every year, including a race on the Great Wall of China in 2013.

Ewing’s regional manager for Central California, Phil Chan, also ran the half marathon this year. He was encouraged by Ewing’s emphasis on wellness and goal setting to start making changes to his health last year.

He started eating small meals throughout the day, drinking more water, and walking 30 minutes a day. After nine months he had lost 110 pounds, and is now saving $700 a year on medications he no longer needs.

“I achieved these goals because I wrote a plan down, and looked at it on a regular basis,” Chan said.

Team Ewing also reached its goal this year of raising $25,000 for Autism Speaks. Team Ewing runners collected more than $7,500; Phillips Hadco made a $10,000 donation to the cause; and $8,000 was donated by Ewing.

Team Ewing has been committed to the cause of Autism Speaks and has raised a total of $125,000 since 2008.

With these funds, Autism Speaks is finding more treatments and offering more resources and education to families and communities affected by autism, said Amy Hummell, the Arizona director for Autism Speaks.

Today, one in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism. By raising funds and awareness “we’re making a better life for those adults and children,” she said.

In addition to participating in the marathon, Ewing’s wellness programs this past year included the Just Walk 10,000 Steps-a-Day, Biggest Loser and Active for Life programs, and sponsoring employees for the Tempe International Triathlon.

About Ewing: A Quality Education Provider

Ewing is the largest family-owned supplier of landscape and water management products in the country. Ewing is the premier source for conservation solutions, and a leading authority on the latest water management products, trends and best practices. Ewing offers commercial and residential irrigation supplies, water management solutions, landscape and turf products, hardscape, landscape lighting, water features, erosion control, industry-leading seminars and more to professionals serving the landscaping, sports turf, golf, agricultural and industrial industries.

Editor's Note: For more photos of Team Ewing from the 2012 P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon and Half Marathon, please visit our Flickr collection.