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Catalyst News

2009 Ford Ironman World Championship Airs on NBC on December 19

Broadcast Highlights Top Professional and Age Group Athletes from Around the World Competing in Sport's Most Grueling Endurance Event

(Tampa, Fla.) Dec. 16, 2009 - The 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship broadcast will air, for the 19^th consecutive year on NBC, Dec. 19, 2009, from 4:30 - 6 p.m. ET (check local listings).  The telecast will highlight the physical and emotional journey taken by athletes during the renowned 140.6-mile triathlon.  Veteran sports commentator and narrator Al Trautwig will provide the voiceover.

Athletes profiled in the Emmy-Award-winning program range from professionals including three-time Ironman World Champion Chrissie Wellington of Great Britain to physically challenged athletes, military veterans, retired professionals and weight loss success stories.

In its 31^st year, the Ford Ironman World Championship start cannon sounded on Oct. 10, 2009. Nearly 1,700 of the world's fittest athletes braved the harsh elements of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, in an attempt to earn the title of "Ironman." Temperatures on event day reached 90 degrees Fahrenheit and higher at certain times on the bike and run portions.  Athletes ranging in age from 20 to 80 years competed in the 2.4-mile Pacific Ocean swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile marathon in a classic battle of human motivation versus sweltering heat and mental and physical fatigue.

"Each year we look to inspire our viewers with the raw power and competitive nature of the professional athletes along with the impressive stories of courage and determination demonstrated by all participants," said Peter Henning, vice president of television production for Ironman.  "The course might not change year to year, but the drama continues to intensify."

The broadcast captures the emotion of the day and features head-to-head competition among the top male and female professionals.  The program documents Australia's Craig Alexander as he adds a second consecutive Ironman World Championship title to his resume and Wellington, who secures her third - breaking the course record of Ironman great, Paula Newby-Fraser of Zimbabwe - with an overall time of 8 hrs., 54 min., 2 sec.  The program also highlights the 17-hour challenges of several unique professional and age group athletes who define the meaning of inspiration and bring to life the "Anything is Possible" mentality.

Featured athletes include:

• Decorated professional and 2009 top American finisher Chris Lieto, the former surfer and college water polo player with three top-10 finishes at the Ironman World Championship
• Matt Hoover, season two winner of NBC's "The Biggest Loser," who gave it his best to be an official Ironman finisher, but crossed the finish line mere minutes after the midnight cut-off time
• Rudy Garcia-Tolson, a double-amputee with numerous world records, who completed an impressive swim but narrowly missed the cut-off after biking the 112-mile course
• Four-time Lymphoma survivor and heart transplant recipient Kyle Garlett, who was not able to complete the challenging swim within the allotted timeframe
• Mike Adamle, a former professional football running back and well-known national and Chicago-area sportscaster, who tested his strength and drive for the second time in Kailua-Kona

Further program details and information on the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 Event Series can be found by visiting: www.ironman.com.  For media-related questions, please contact Blair LaHaye at Blair@ironman.com / (813) 868-5929 or Jessica Weidensall at Jessica@ironman.com / (813) 868-5914.

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About Ironman

World Triathlon Corporation, owner and organizer of Ironman and Ironman 70.3 branded-events, is a Florida-based company recognized for athletic excellence, performance and quality products. With the addition of the Ironman 70.3 Series, Ironman now has more than 60 qualifying events worldwide. Supported by partners that include Ford Motor Company, PowerBar, Timex and Gatorade, Ironman is the No.1 user-based sports brand in the world. Ironman has been a respected name in triathlon since its inception in 1978 and is regarded as the world's most challenging endurance event. Millions may remember moments in Ironman history such as Julie Moss' crawl to the finish line in 1982, which was showcased on ABC's Wide World of Sports. Each year, more than 150,000 athletes compete for slots in the Ford Ironman World Championship held every October in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 held every November in Clearwater, Fla. The Ironman brand has been featured in a range of media outlets to include NBC, CNN Headline News, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, People, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times and USA Today.

Tags: ironman , ford ironman world championship , triathlon , peter henning , al trautwig , chrissie wellington , craig alexander , the biggest loser , mike adamle , matt hoover , world triathlon corporation

Catalyst News

ING New York City Marathon 2009 Official Pace Team will be Powered by TIMEX TapScreen Technology

 Revolutionary timing device will help the field "tap" into elevated performance 

MIDDLEBURY, CT, October 26, 2009 - Timex Group USA, Inc., a principal sponsor and the exclusive official timing partner of the ING New York City Marathon, today announced that the Timex^® Ironman^® Sleek 150-lap watch with TapScreen^TM Technology will play a key role in the ING DIRECT Pace Team's efforts to pace the field. The Timex Ironman Sleek 150-Lap with TapScreen Technology is an innovative collection of precision sports timing instruments that conveniently responds to an athlete's touch.

The collection will be used by all 30 official pacers to ensure they maintain their assigned pace, and keep thousands of runners on track to meet their ultimate time goals.

"For decades Timex technology has helped improve race day performances of the world's elite athletes, but this is the first time Timex will officially pace runners in a 45,000-person field," said Heberto Calves, vice president of marketing at Timex. "The Timex Ironman Sleek 150-Lap with TapScreen Technology allows athletes to spend less time managing their wristwatch and more time focusing on performance."

The collection's proprietary TapScreen Technology allows users to easily take laps by "tapping" anywhere on the timepiece's face, rather than having to locate and push buttons mid-stride. The target time pacer feature delivers intuitive audible alerts, indicating when the runner is on pace, slow or fast, and allowing athletes to adjust their speed accordingly. The collection features a large-digit display and curved lens for easy viewing and tapping, and its strong, modern design is engineered to optimize ease-of-use, style and comfort.

In addition to this innovative collection, Timex will also showcase the ING New York City Marathon Timex^® Ironman^® commemorative watch, an adaptation of the powerful Timex Ironman 150-Lap watch which is co-branded with the official ING New York City Marathon logo. The watch is a commemorative timepiece intended to help the global but exclusive group of athletes who have run the world's most prestigious marathon - past and present - to celebrate their extraordinary achievement.

Both collections will be available for purchase in the Timex booth at the ING New York City Marathon Health and Fitness Expo from October 29 to October 31, 2009, for $89.95. The ING New York City Marathon Timex Ironman watch is also available at New York Road Runners' online store (www.nyrr.org) and its New York City headquarters, as well as at www.timex.com. 

In 2008, Timex Group USA, Inc. signed on as a sponsor of the ING New York City Marathon through 2011, as part of the company's ongoing initiative to increase the awareness for its state-of-the-art sports and fashion products.  

As part of the partnership, the Timex brand will again be woven into NYRR's multi-faceted marathon advertising campaign via print, online and out-of-home media. Timex will also be the presenting sponsor of the week-long Media Center at Tavern on the Green - home to over 1,500 credentialed members of the media during marathon week. As the official timing partner, Timex will also be identified at a number of high profile activation points on race day, including on all clocks throughout the course.

Five members of the Timex Multisport Team, a group of 40+ elite athletes who compete in major multisport events worldwide, will compete in the race on behalf of the brand. Elite amateurs Kimberly Hager, from The Woodlands, TX, and Daniel McGrath, of Las Vegas, NV, will join amateur Michael Lavery of Madison, WI, and professional racers Ian Ray of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and Dave Harju of Quebec, Canada. They will join 14 Timex employees also participating in the race.

Timex's presence in the fitness world has been evident for years via its sponsorship of the Ironman Triathlon event series.  With a wide array of wellness and training timepieces priced at various levels, Timex has established a broad appeal to the millions of consumers who want to maintain a healthy lifestyle in a cost-effective manner. Timex recently announced a unique 15-year partnership with the New York Giants that enables both brands to collaborate on training solutions for athletes globally. As part of the partnership, the Giants' new training facility and corporate headquarters in East Rutherford, NJ, is named the TIMEX Performance Center.  

About Timex Sports Watches

Timex has an unparalleled heritage of creating innovative, technologically advanced and reliable timepieces for endurance athletes, having introduced the first licensed Ironman brand watch in 1986. The Timex Ironman legacy of leadership, innovation and style in international sport is evident in the brand's extensive anthology of elite training devices, fitness aids and wellness timepieces. Timex Ironman timepieces are worn by athletes on every continent and have been added to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

About the Timex Group

Timex Group designs, manufactures and markets innovative timepieces and jewelry globally.  Founded in 1854, Timex has become part of Timex Group, a privately-held company with numerous brands and over 5,000 employees worldwide.  It is one of the largest watch makers in the world.

New York Road Runners

New York Road Runners, founded in 1958, is dedicated to promoting the sport of distance running, enhancing health and fitness for all, and responding to community needs. Our road races and other fitness programs draw upwards of 300,000 runners annually, and together with our magazine and website support and promote professional and recreational running. A staff of more than 100, assisted by thousands of volunteers, stages the ING New York City Marathon, as well as a road race nearly every weekend plus many track and cross country events. NYRR's home base in New York, and its lifelong identification with Central Park, have given many of its events iconic status, attracting the world's top professional runners. Our youth programs provide running to nearly 100,000 schoolchildren in New York City, around the country, and in South Africa who would otherwise have few or no fitness opportunities. For more information visit http://www.nyrr.org/.

The ING New York City Marathon

The premier event of New York Road Runners, the ING New York City Marathon is one of the world's great road races, drawing nearly 105,000 applicants. The race attracts many world-class professional athletes, not only for the more than $600,000 in prize money, but also for the chance to excel in the media capital of the world before two million cheering spectators and a worldwide broadcast reach of 330 million. As any one of the nearly 788,000 past participants will attest, crossing the finish line in Central Park is one of the great thrills of a lifetime. For more information visit http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/.

Tags: new york city marathon , timex , ironman , tapscreen , running , triathlon , watch , sports , fitness , herbie calves , marketing , public relations

Catalyst News

Rocco DiSpirito Dishes Up a New Challenge with the Ironman World Championship 70.3

Tampa, Fla., September 30, 2009 - Today, World Triathlon Corporation, owner and organizer of Ironman and Ironman 70.3 branded-events, announced that celebrated chef, and author Rocco DiSpirito, will participate in the fourth annual Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3, presented by Ford, taking place on Nov. 14, 2009 in Clearwater, Fla.

DiSpirito, 42, will join more than 1,500 athletes from around the globe to swim 1.2-miles, bike 56-miles and run 13.1-miles, all to be completed in under 7 1/2 hours.

"I am thrilled to have this opportunity to compete in the Ironman World Championship 70.3 event," said DiSpirito.  "I look forward to participating amongst some of the world's most talented athletes."

The accomplished chef and author not only stands out in the kitchen, but also as an athlete.  DiSpirito's triathlon experience consists of participating in a variety of events including the 2007 St Croix Ironman 70.3 and the 2007 Nautica Malibu Triathlon, presented by Toyota. 

The average Ironman triathlete spends 10 to 30-plus hours each week training for the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3. DiSpirito will be managing his training as well as his busy work schedule as a prominent chef.

DiSpirito has owned and operated Union Pacific in New York City's Gramercy Park and 22nd Street Restaurant, which was also home to NBC 's, "The Restaurant" in 2003.  In 1999, he went on to be named Food & Wine's Best New Chef and in 2000 Gourmet magazine deemed him "America's Most Exciting Young Chef."  DiSpirito is the author of five cookbooks, including Flavor, Rocco's Italian American, Rocco's Real Life Recipes and Rocco Gets Real: Cook At Home Everyday.  In March 2010, Rocco will publish his latest book entitled Now Eat This, which is focused on healthy makeovers of America's favorite comfort foods.

Rocco additionally created and starred in the A&E series "Rocco Gets Real," and has been a contributor on Rachel Ray, Good Morning America, The Today Show; a judge on Bravo's "Top Chef," frequent guest chef on NBC's "The Biggest Loser," as well as a competitor on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars."  Rocco has been featured in articles in Fitness, GQ, The New York Times and People Magazine's Sexiest Man alive to name just a few.

For more information on the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3, please visit: http://ironman.com/worldchampionship70.3. 

All media-related inquiries can be directed to Blair LaHaye at 813-868-5929; Jessica Weidensall at 813-868-5914; Chris Ward at 312-235-3282 or Lisa Bruno at  212-714-7907.

About Ironman

World Triathlon Corporation, owner and organizer of Ironman and Ironman 70.3 branded-events, is a Florida-based company recognized for athletic excellence, performance and quality products. With the addition of the Ironman 70.3 Series, Ironman now has more than 60 qualifying events worldwide. Supported by partners that include Ford Motor Company, PowerBar, Timex and Gatorade, Ironman is the No.1 user-based sports brand in the world. Ironman has been a respected name in triathlon since its inception in 1978 and is regarded as the world's most challenging endurance event. Millions may remember moments in Ironman history such as Julie Moss' crawl to the finish line in 1982, which was showcased on ABC's Wide World of Sports. Each year, more than 150,000 athletes compete for slots in the Ford Ironman World Championship held every October in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 held every November in Clearwater, Fla.. The Ironman brand has been featured in a range of media outlets to include NBC, CNN Headline News, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, People, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times and USA Today.

Tags: rocco dispirito , ironman , ironman world championship , 70.3 , foster grant , triathlon , chef , world triathlon corporation , wtc , ford , celebrity , catalyst public relations , catalyst pr , sports

Catalyst News

TIMEX Unveils Ironman® Dress Chronograph Collection

MIDDLEBURY, CT - Timex, a leader in outdoor and sports performance timepieces, today introduced the Timex® Ironman® Dress Chronograph collection, a series of stunning analog timepieces representing a sharp departure from the traditionally digital style of performance sport.

The collection boldly interprets the strength of the athletic spirit, expressing the contemporary sportsman's energetic lifestyle within a dynamic arrangement that is equal parts distinguished and powerful.

A dramatic crossbar reaches across the base of the stainless steel bezel, alluding to the Timex Ironman brand's signature oval form, and joins the four-bolt, stainless steel case to reinforce the piece's digital heritage. The collection's intricately layered dial is further accentuated when the familiar INDIGLO® night-light is activated.

"The Timex Ironman Dress Chronograph captures the brand's signature elements, and re-invents them in its premiere analog offering," said Heberto Calves, vice president of marketing for Timex. "Historically celebrated as a digital pioneer, Timex Ironman continues to express the active ideal with precision and innovation."

The collection is available in four styles, including striking combinations of orange, yellow, black and white. The 30-minute chronograph function measures 1/20^th seconds, seconds and minutes.

The iconic Ironman logo adorns the handsome, comfort-driven rubber strap, in another subtle expression of the collection's performance roots.

The Timex Ironman Dress Chronograph collection will be available for purchase in July 2009 at international sports specialty retailers worldwide, as well as TimexIronman.com.

Timex recently introduced the Timex® Ironman® Race Trainer^TM, a digital heart rate monitor distinguished by its ability to wirelessly sync with a user's computer, currently available worldwide.  Additional Timex Ironman collections include Sleek, 30-Lap and Wireless Fitness Tracker. 

About Timex Sports Watches:

Timex has an unparalleled heritage of creating innovative, technologically advanced and reliable timepieces for endurance athletes, having introduced the first licensed Ironman brand watch in 1986. The Timex Ironman legacy of leadership, innovation and style in international sport is evident in the brand's extensive anthology of elite training devices, fitness aids and wellness timepieces. Timex Ironman timepieces are worn by athletes on every continent and have been added to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

About the Timex Group

Timex Group designs, manufactures and markets innovative timepieces and jewelry globally.  Founded in 1854, Timex has become part of Timex Group, a privately-held company with numerous brands and over 5,000 employees worldwide.  It is one of the largest watch makers in the world.

Tags: timex , ironman , dress chronograph , heberto calves , analog timepieces , indiglo , catalyst public relations

Catalyst News

Timex Group USA, Inc. Named as Principal Sponsor and Exclusive Official Timing Partner for the ING New York City Marathon

Leading Watch Manufacturer's Partnership with New York Road Runners Creates an Opportunity to Engage a Global Audience on the World's Biggest Stage

Middlebury, CT - Timex Group USA, Inc. announced today an agreement with New York Road Runners that establishes one of the world's leading watch companies as the official timing sponsor of the ING New York City Marathon. Timex Group USA, Inc. signed on to sponsor the ING New York City Marathon for four years, from 2008 through 2011, as part of the company's ongoing initiative to increase the awareness of its state-of-the-art sports and fashion products. The TIMEX Group has secured this sponsorship for its TIMEX brand.

"Timex is excited to be involved with the ING New York City Marathon, which annually brings together the best group of runners, including a large percentage of first-time marathoners to the world's largest stage," says Adam Gurian, President, Timex. "We are excited about the partnership between these two iconic brands. Timex celebrates the human spirit and is as diverse as the runners in the marathon."

Tags: timex , ing , new york city marathon , road runners , adam gurian , ironman , mary wittenberg ,