London Triathlon Seals Three Year Sponsorship with Virgin Active Health Clubs

LONDON, Dec. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin Active Health Clubs (http://www.virginactive.co.uk/) announced a three year deal to become the title sponsor of the newly named 'Virgin Active Health Clubs London Triathlon'. The annual IMG Challenger World event, set in London's Docklands, sees over 13,000 participants swim, cycle and run around a specially designed course that winds through some of London's most famous landmarks such as Big Ben, Tower Bridge and the London Eye. Next year's event will take place on 30th and 31st July.

Commenting on the partnership, Virgin Active's Chairman, Richard Baker said: "Virgin Active is very proud to be supporting the London Triathlon, given how well it fits with the core sports replicated in our clubs.

This is the world's largest event of its type, and its reputation as the fastest growing Olympic sport allows us to encourage a wide range of people of all fitness levels, from beginner to elite, to get involved and try it for themselves. We are aiming to dispel the myth that you have to be an elite athlete to participate and it's our aim to grow the Triathlon sport through many of our club's fun offerings including a national indoor Triathlon in 2011."

In the lead up to the event, Virgin Active will be launching a series of triathlon related fitness products and will be helping its participating members to train and prepare as well as personal training experts at hand. They will also be offering a large quantity of highly sought after event places for members. During 2011 indoor triathlons aimed at children and families will take place at Virgin Active's 71 health clubs across the UK and its 122 clubs in South Africa, Italy and Iberia.

Senior Vice-President of IMG Events Julian Brand added: "Every year this event grows in stature and we are delighted to have Virgin Active Health Clubs on board as we continue this journey.  2011 will be the 15th year of the London Triathlon and we have the ideal partner to help the many thousands of participants from across the UK and internationally get ready for the world's largest triathlon."

Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson added: "The Virgin Active London Triathlon is set to be not only a really fun event, but also a great way for people of all fitness levels to get involved in sport and exercise. Virgin Active will of course be helping me and their members, many of who have signed up alongside me, shape up for the big day. I hope they don't show me up too much!"

For more information and to book your place at the 2011 Virgin Active Health Clubs London Triathlon visit http://www.virginactive.co.uk/Content/triathlon/default.aspx

Contact:

For more information about Virgin Active Health Clubs, please visit http://www.virginactive.co.uk/ or contact Michael Hickson, michaelh[at]borkowski.co.uk, or Kathryn McAuley, Kathryn[at]borkowski.co.uk,  at Borkowski on 0207 404 3000

For media enquiries relating to IMG Challenger World, please contact: Alex Coulson or Dan Williams, Tel: 020 8233 5964 / 5967, E: alex.coulson[at]imgworld.com/ dan.williams[at]imgworld.com or visit www.challengerworld.com

SOURCE Virgin Active