Club Med Takes New Active Wellness Concept to the Next Level by Introducing 2575 Triathlon Series to Sandpiper Bay in Florida

MIAMI, Jan. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Club Med - the original all-inclusive resort company with more than 80 resorts worldwide - is a known brand leader in active vacations through its flagship "premium sports" resort, Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Florida. Since Club Med's origin in the 1950's, sports have been an integral part of the legendary brand's vacation philosophy. Today, Club Med continues to reinforce its positioning as a leader in the industry by keeping a pulse on travel trends, which presently illustrate a more active and health conscious consumer than ever before. With the strength and history that Club Med has in sports and wellness, they have developed yet another innovative idea with the recent launch of the 360-degree Active Wellness all-inclusive vacation concept. The concept focuses on the four key elements of personalization, sports, rejuvenation and nutrition throughout guests' stays, and also offers add-on Active "Boost" Packages for several sports disciplines, including triathlons. Club Med has taken its expertise in triathlons to the next level by partnering with the best in the industry, Miami Tri-Events, who have developed the 2575 triathlon concept, which will be hosted at Sandpiper Bay for the season opener. This move further develops the existing on-site triathlon program and deepens the brand's engagement with the triathlon community.  The resort hosts the first 2575 Triathlon on Sunday, February 24^th with the world championship to follow on September 15^th.

"The 2575 is about welcoming any person that is interested in experiencing a triathlon," said Xavier Mufraggi, CEO of Club Med North America. "This is consistent with our approach in inviting active guests of all levels to Sandpiper Bay where they will be able to experience our unique and personalized programs and services. We want to be a part of this new initiative, and are proud to support the 2575 Triathlons, which we will be hosting in February and the world championship for the series in September."

This year marks the resort's third consecutive year hosting triathlons and training programs, and the season opener for the 2575 Triathlon Series at Sandpiper Bay - a new take on the favored sprint-distance triathlon encouraging all levels of athletes to focus not solely on completing the race, but also on their speed. The 2575 Triathlon introduces a new approach to the triathlon sport. The number 2575 represents the distance, in kilometers, raced by athletes in a sprint triathlon. Triathletes competing in the race will swim .75 km (.46 miles), bike 20 km (12.4 miles) and run 5 km (3.1 miles). Since most athletes participate in sprint-distances, the 2575 Triathlon is geared toward the widest and greatest market of athletes, ensuring benefits to everyone involved, and the reason why the company is growing the concept both nationally and internationally. Miami Tri Events is known for producing one-of-a-kind sporting events, from the City Bikes Ironman 70.3 Miami, to the 2575 Triathlon Series as well as the St-Augustine Half Marathon Weekend.

Competitors are encouraged to vacation at Club Med Sandpiper Bay the week before the racing events to take full advantage of personalized training with Club Med's team of professionals. Sandpiper Bay, a 216-acre resort tucked into the lush landscape along the St. Lucie River, is the ideal destination for both competitors and active families seeking to rediscover life's balance through a world of nourishing experiences, from nutrition assessment and sports training to spa relaxation and the ability to design a personalized wellness vacation. Known as only all-inclusive resort in the U.S., Sandpiper Bay also features the first and only L'Occitane-branded Spa in the U.S., award-winning children's clubs, and enrichment programs from wine tastings and art lessons to a sailing school and cooking demonstrations.

For more information on the 2575 Triathlon's at Sandpiper Bay, visit www.2575sandpiperbay.com. To book your Club Med vacation, visit www.clubmed.us, call 1-800-ClubMed or contact your preferred travel professional. For an insider look at Club Med, follow ClubMedOfficial on Facebook and Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube channel at ClubMedNorthAmerica. Check out Club Med's free innovative travel app for iPhone and iPad at www.clubmed.us/app.

SOURCE Club Med