byLarry Eder
Competitor Group and Brooks Running Company Extend Partnership Through 2020
• The No. 1 specialty running brand extends its sponsorship of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series for five years
• Brooks will create an official line of Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series footwear and apparel
• Official footwear and apparel agreement includes presenting sponsorship of all Rock ‘n’ Roll 5K events
SALT LAKE CITY – August 5, 2015 – At today’s opening of the Outdoor Retailer show, Competitor Group, Inc. (CGI) and Brooks Running Company announced a sponsorship extension through 2020. The continued partnership, which began in 2010, designates Brooks as the official running footwear, apparel and sports bra of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series. Brooks will become presenting sponsor of all Rock ‘n’ Roll 5K events and also create an official Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series footwear and apparel line.
“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, a race series that perfectly aligns with Brooks Running Company’s purpose to inspire everyone to run and be active,” said Dan Sheridan, Brooks’ Executive Vice President and General Manager, North America. “We want to continue to connect with runners in meaningful ways and celebrate the power of the run in their lives. Our collaborative partnership with Competitor Group gives us a great platform to do just that.”
The renewed agreement underlines Brooks’ mission to be the No. 1 choice for runners worldwide by partnering with the world’s largest running series to reach new audiences and expand awareness of its performance running footwear and apparel. Brooks will participate in a number of innovative marketing programs, including growing a presence through Rock ‘n’ Roll’s expanding digital platform, as well as a variety of promotional, branding and hospitality components. The deal also includes an annual integrated media campaign through CGI’s two running titles, Competitor and Women’s Running.
“I have worked with Brooks for more than 20 years and understand the commitment they have to runners and passion for growing the sport of running,” said John Smith, SVP of National Sales for CGI. “Their creative support will help continue to take our events to even greater levels of success with innovative campaigns encompassing social media, retail activations and race weekend experiences at Rock ‘n’ Roll destinations across the country.”
The long-standing partnership between two of the running industry’s most well-known brands has brought to life memorable runner experiences at race expos across the country, including Brooks’ Run Happy Island, a running-inspired, island tropic experience, and the Run Happy Cavalcade of Curiosities.
More than 600,000 professional and amateur athletes from all over the world will participate in a Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series event in 2015, which has expanded to 30 markets worldwide. Last year the series introduced the popular “Remix Challenge,” offering an extended weekend of running with 5K, 10K, half-marathon and marathon distances to engage runners of all abilities. The musically-themed races have spearheaded an active lifestyle movement that provides unique entertainment for people from all walks of life.
For more information about the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, visit RunRocknRoll.com or follow @RunRocknRoll on Twitter.
About Brooks Running
Brooks Running Company designs and markets running-specific performance footwear, apparel, and accessories in more than 60 countries worldwide. Brooks’ purpose is to inspire everyone to run and be active by creating innovative gear designed to keep them running longer, farther and faster. Brooks’ purpose is supported by its Run Happy philosophy, a quest to celebrate and champion the sport of running and all runners everywhere. Founded in 1914, Brooks is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and is headquartered in Seattle. Visit brooksrunning.com
for more information or follow Brooks on Twitter (@brooksrunning) and Facebook (www.Facebook.com/
About the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series
Operated by Competitor Group, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series is the ‘World’s Largest Running Series’ with more than 600,000 runners taking part in 30 destination events around the world every year. Established in 1998, Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series’ simple idea of making running fun has transformed the U.S. running landscape by infusing the course with live bands, cheer teams and entertaining water stations, creating a block-party atmosphere for participants and spectators alike. Over the 19-year history of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, charity partners have raised more than $310 million through the events for a variety of worthy causes. Race weekend kicks off with a free Health & Fitness Expo showcasing the latest in running gear, sports apparel, health and nutritional information and much more. Events culminate with an entertaining finish line festival and Toyota Concert Series featuring some of the biggest names in music, with past headliners including Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Aloe Blacc, Pitbull, FloRida and Bret Michaels. For more information, please visit RunRocknRoll.com or follow @RunRocknRoll on Twitter.
About Competitor Group
Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Competitor Group, Inc. (CGI) is the active lifestyle industry’s leading media and event entertainment company. CGI’s portfolio of media brands span the full range of the endurance sports industry including Velo, Triathlete, Women’s Running and Competitor with a combined monthly circulation of over 700,000. CGI owns and operates 38 events around the world, including the flagship Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, the TriRock Triathlon Series and Events DC Nation’s Triathlon, collectively delivering more than 600,000 professional and amateur participants in 2015. The race services division of CGI, Race IT is the second largest provider of online registration solutions to endurance event organizers around the world. Further information about CGI and its digital, publishing and event entertainment properties can be found at CompetitorGroup.com.
