Dunkin' Donuts proved America really does run on Dunkin', as it served up coffee, comfort and cheer to runners and spectators at November's New York City Marathon. For the seventh year, Dunkin' served as an official, and highly visible, sponsor, setting up cheering hubs and "refuel" stations at Dunkin' Donut locations along the parade route.

Beginning at 1 a.m., Dunkin' started brewing 12,000 gallons of hot coffee in the Marathon's Start Village to energize the runners. In addition to the coffee, a key component of Dunkin's presence was the branded fleece beanies distributed to runners at the start of the race, a much prized and sought after souvenir of the Marathon. Some 17,000 runners received and wore the hats in the 26.2-mile race. The colors of the hat – pink and orange – left no doubt who the sponsoring brand was.

"This is the fifth year we've distributed our fleece hats at the ING New York City Marathon," says Cathy Chavenet, Dunkin' Brands senior field marketing manager, Metro New York. While the design has varied slightly over the years, the brand's signature colors never change.

Given November's chilly temperatures, the hats proved to be practical and stylish accessories.  "It's a wonderful takeaway for those attending the event, and you see people during the winter months wearing the hats all throughout the New York tri-state area," she says.

Dunkin' Donuts considers the coffee and hats it distributes to be a significant part of the Marathon. "Our presence at the starting line with the complimentary coffee for runners and volunteers, as well as the fleece hats, drives brand awareness among a key audience," she says.  The hats are exclusive to the New York City marathon and only available on race day.

Some race spectators were also able to receive free fleece caps to keep them warm on the sidelines at 14 Dunkin' "refuel" stations along the route, while supplies lasted. Team Dunkin, a running team consisting of several franchisees and employees, participated in the race for a seventh year. The team represented "everyday, hardworking people doing something extraordinary," Chavenet says.

Dunkin' also set up a station where tens of thousands of fans could create special signs to cheer on runners as they crossed into Manhattan. In addition, they partnered with the New York Mets to bring their brand mascots to this location to join in the festivities.  A long line of fans waited to have pictures taken with the mascots. It was a fun way to engage with guests as they created signs for family and friends. "I can't think of a more appropriate slogan for the New York City Marathon than 'America Runs on Dunkin'," says Chavenet. "Dunkin' coffee and baked goods keep our guests running every day, and the Marathon is the premier running event in the United States."