GNC and Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. Announce First Annual GNC Liberty Mile Event

Runners From Around the U.S. Compete for $25,000 Prize Purse

PITTSBURGH, June 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- GNC Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNC), the nation's largest specialty retailer of health, wellness and sports nutrition products, is proud to partner with Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. to host the first annual GNC Liberty Mile – expected to be the third largest competitive, one-mile road race in the U.S, where world-class milers will compete for a $25,000 prize purse with both the male and female winners taking home $4000 each.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120606/DC20118LOGO)

"For years, GNC has been the leader in providing the fuel for runners to achieve their goals, and we believe it's time that we bring the quickly emerging world of one-mile road races to Pittsburgh, our home town.  To make that happen, we are proud to sponsor the inaugural GNC Liberty Mile and launch it in a way that we expect will immediately make it one of the nation's largest," stated, Jeff Hennion, EVP - Chief Marketing Officer & eCommerce at GNC. "The event will provide a racing venue for a wide spectrum of athletes ranging from highly competitive milers to those running in their first professional race. Whether you run competitively at a world class level or simply run around the block, this race is for you."

The event will take place on August 17 at 7 p.m. on Liberty Avenue, from 17th street in the strip to 6th street, Downtown. Six one-mile heats will be held offering various opportunities such as raising money and giving corporations the chance to participate in a corporate wellness challenge. The heats include:

One for Fun- Recreational mile for ages 5-100 years old.

Giving Back- Participants register and raise money for a participating charity.

It's All Business- Participants register and participate with their corporate teammates.

Winning…..at 40+- Masters mile participants for competitors 40 years of age and older.

Unstoppable- Ages 13-39 years old. Open to competitive milers-male and female (6 minute mile or under).

Experts- Qualified participants 18 years of age and older-male (4:17 and under and female 5:00 min miler or under.

The announcement is part of the Bring Back The Mile Campaign, www.bringbackthemile.com, a national movement to return the mile race to prominence on the American sports and cultural landscape. In 2012, there will be almost a half dozen new mile road races across the Country.

"Competitive mile road races are increasing in popularity and we are pleased that Pittsburgh will be a part of this trend with the GNC Liberty Mile," stated Patrice Matamoros, Race Director for Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. "The mile run is a great entry race for people who are interested in the sport of running and with the competitive heats we are sure to see some of those high-speed crowd pleasing chases as well."

Register at www.libertymile.org

About Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc.
Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. is a non-profit organization that promotes the love of running by offering world-class running events and training opportunities while enhancing community involvement in fitness activities for a wide variety of ages and abilities. The organization offers various activities to foster the sport of running throughout the year, including its signature event the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon.

As a Non-Profit, Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. is dedicated to giving back to the Community through its Charity program and raised a record-breaking 2.2 million dollars for charities in 2012.

About GNC  
GNC Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, is a leading global specialty retailer of health and wellness products, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplement products, sports nutrition products and diet products, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "GNC."

As of March 31, 2012, GNC has more than 7,700 locations, of which more than 5,900 retail locations are in the United States (including 928 franchise and 2,146 Rite Aid franchise store-within-a-store locations) and franchise operations in 56 countries (including distribution centers where retail sales are made).  The Company – which is dedicated to helping consumers Live Well – has a diversified, multi-channel business model and derives revenue from product sales through company-owned retail stores, domestic and international franchise activities, third party contract manufacturing, e-commerce and corporate partnerships.  Our broad and deep product mix, which is focused on high-margin, premium, value-added nutritional products, is sold under GNC proprietary brands, including Mega Men®, Ultra Mega®, GNC Total Lean, Pro Performance® and Pro Performance® AMP, and under nationally recognized third party brands. 

For more than 75 years, GNC has been committed to bringing people superior GNC brand products using only the highest quality ingredients, manufactured under the strictest quality controls. Managing every stage of the process - from formulation to retailing - allows GNC to guarantee quality, purity and potency of GNC products.

Web: GNC.com l Twitter: @GNCLiveWell l Facebook: facebook.com/GNCLiveWell

SOURCE Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc.