330 Team Ewing runners aim to get fit and support Autism Speaks at annual P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon.

January 3, 2011, Phoenix, Ariz.— As a company, Ewing Irrigation is truly up and running, as one quarter of Ewing’s workforce plan to compete in the 2011 P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon.

On January 16, 2011, more than 330 people, including nearly 200 Ewing employees, and customers, family and friends, from 24 states will run as part of Team Ewing.

Since 2005, Ewing, the largest family-owned distributor of landscape and water management products in the country, has invited employees from across the U.S. to join the race, to promote and encourage health and fitness company-wide.

“This has become an important part of our culture and a true win-win-win. Our employees get to push themselves outside of their comfort zones and accomplish something remarkable. The charity we support wins with generous contributions from our participants and their supporters, and as a company, we win by having happier, healthier and a more motivated and cohesive work family,” said Cliff Woodbury, Ewing’s Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications, and one of Team Ewing’s captains.

Team Ewing is also competing in the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon GET FIT Challenge, a friendly team competition designed to get corporations into training. Ewing has produced the largest team in the challenge in three out of the past four years.

Fundraising for Autism Speaks has also become an important part of the race for Team Ewing. Since 2009, Team Ewing has raised more than $75,000 for Autism Speaks, and hopes to raise another $25,000 by Jan. 16.

Training throughout the fall and winter has become a custom for employees who join the team, with many starting a tradition of going on morning runs together before company conferences, events and meetings.

Rigo Lopez, a Ewing employee in El Monte, Calif., and his wife plan to run in the marathon and half marathon, respectively, and fundraise for Autism Speaks, in honor of their nephew. As a family personally affected by autism, they understand how costly treatments can be, Lopez said.

While training for the 26.2-mile race, Lopez enjoys the increased endurance he has gained, especially when he plays soccer.

“I thought I was in shape before, but now at the end of a game I feel like I could play two more,” he said. Training has also helped Lopez relieve stress.

“I am more patient because I do a lot of thinking while I’m training.”

Dawn and Barrett Norris, Ewing employees in Tulsa, Okla., will be running in the half marathon along with their son and a friend.

“Training keeps us in shape, it is something we can do as a family, and it’s for a great cause,” Dawn Norris said. She appreciates participating as a benefit from Ewing.

“It shows our commitment as a company to stand together to accomplish great achievements.”

In addition to providing the marathon and half marathon experience for employees, Ewing continues to promote employee health through other wellness programs. From August to September, 374 Ewing employees took the CIGNA “Just Walk 10,000 Steps-a-Day” Challenge, which provided participants with pedometers to track their daily steps and encouraged them to increase their daily physical activity.

Donate to the Team

Donations to Autism Speaks through Team Ewing can be made online at: www.active.com/donate/teamewing2011.

About Ewing: A Premier Supplier & Quality Education Provider

Ewing is the premier source for conservation solutions, and a leading authority on the latest water management products, trends and best practices. Ewing provides water management solutions, commercial and residential irrigation supplies, landscape and agronomic products, hardscapes, landscape lighting, water features, erosion control and more to professionals serving the landscaping, turf, golf, industrial and agricultural industries. Headquarted in Phoenix, Ariz., Ewing offers 198 convenient locations from coast to coast. Visit Ewing online at www.ewingirrigation.com.