Champion® and Sport Chalet Lead Disneyland® Half Marathon Weekend Sponsorship

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, two leaders within the sporting industry announced their official sponsorship of the 5th annual Disneyland® Half Marathon to take place over Labor Day weekend in Anaheim, Calif.  For the first time, Sport Chalet joins Champion® Athleticwear, the official performance apparel of the Disney Endurance Series, as the official retailer of the exciting Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend.

As presenting sponsors, Champion and Sport Chalet will receive on-site marquee inclusion within event marketing collateral, program advertising and signage, and goody bags.  The apparel brand and retailer will also bring their partnership to life at the Disneyland Health and Fitness Expo with a 20-foot-by-30-foot pop up retail store, which will exclusively sell select pieces from Champion's popular Double Dry performance collection to participants and spectators alike.  More than 14,000 athletes have registered for the Disneyland® Half Marathon and all will be outfitted in a commemorative Champion Double Dry T-Shirt.

"We have a tremendous ongoing partnership with the Disney Endurance Series and are honored to bring our performance apparel to its athletes throughout the year," said Claire Powell, director, Champion brand marketing.  "We're especially excited for this year's Disneyland Half Marathon as we welcome our retail partner and West Coast sports staple, Sport Chalet, to celebrate these everyday athletes with us."  Champion men's and women's apparel are now available at Sports Chalet locations.

For David Hacker, director of marketing at Sport Chalet, the event sponsorship and apparel partnership with Champion is a testament to the retailer's identity.  "Like Champion, we are a destination for players of all levels, across all sports.  We're thrilled to be the official retailer at the Disneyland Half Marathon and help fuel the passions of the runners."

Disney Sports Event Director Paul Lambert returns the sentiment and supports the focus on everyday athletes.  "We look forward to kicking-off the 5th milestone of our Disneyland Half Marathon with the support of Champion and Sport Chalet.  These two sporting icons are sponsors our runners can relate to which is extremely important as we continue to explore ways to enhance the Disney running experience."

Watch official Disneyland Half Marathon runners navigate through Disney California Adventure® Park and Disneyland Resort on Sunday, Sept. 5, for a chance to earn the coveted 5th Anniversary finisher medal.  Runners of all ages will also participate in the Disneyland Fabulous 5K and Kids' Races and the Disneyland Health & Fitness Expo, which features the latest trends in running, fitness equipment, footwear and apparel.

About Champion®

Since 1919 Champion athleticwear has offered a full line of innovative athletic apparel for men and women including sport bras, activewear, team uniforms, sweats and accessories. Champion athleticwear can be purchased at most sporting goods and department stores. For more information please contact us at 1-800-999-2249, visit www.championusa.com or at www.facebook.com/champion or follow us on Twitter @Championusa.  Champion is a brand of Hanesbrands Inc.

About the Disney Endurance Series

The Endurance Series at Walt Disney World Resort gives recreational athletes of all ages and abilities the chance to walk, jog, run, bike and swim their way "around the world."  From marathons to road races to triathlons, athletes from across the country and around the world compete to stay in shape, achieve personal best times and raise donations for charitable causes. Popular Endurance Series events are the inaugural Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (Oct. 1-2, 2010),Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon (Jan. 6-9, 2011), Champion 5k at ESPN the Weekend (February 2011), Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend (Feb. 25-27,2011) and Expedition Everest Challenge (Summer 2011). For more information on Disney's Endurance Series please visit www.disneyenduranceseries.com.

About Sport Chalet

Sport Chalet, founded in 1959 by Norbert Olberz, is a leading full service specialty retailer with stores in California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah, on-line at sportchalet.com, as well as a Team Sales Division. The Company offers over 50 services for the serious sports enthusiast, including backpacking, canyoneering, and kayaking instruction, custom golf club fitting and repair, snowboard and ski rental and repair, SCUBA training and certification, SCUBA boat charters, team sales, racquet stringing, and bicycle tune-up and repair throughout its 55 locations.

SOURCE Champion