La Sportiva Announces 2009 Trail Running Team

Local company La Sportiva announced its 2009 running team just recently. Mostly familiar faces and those who are pushing the limits of endurance trail running. Many of them are hometown locals - which is always good. It's good to see La Sportiva continue to support the sport of trail running, which has seen explosive growth since I wrote my original guide book on Front Range alpine trail runs in 2003. All the best to the team in 2009!

Summary

La Sportiva N.A., makers of technical climbing, mountaineering, Mountain Running® and hiking footwear, announces its 2009 running team roster, associate sponsors and race calendar of events.

La Sportiva N.A., makers of technical climbing, mountaineering, Mountain Running® and hiking footwear, announces its 2009 running team roster, associate sponsors and race calendar of events.

“Developing our Mountain Running® team has been one of La Sportiva’s most effective vehicles for supporting the growth of trail running in North America,” says Buzz Burrell, La Sportiva’s Running Team Manager. “Ever since our team’s inception in 2003, our goal has been to support individual athletes, quality races and to improve the overall vitality of the sport.” La Sportiva’s running team roster includes over 35 athletes from around North America and includes such notables as Karl Meltzer, Michael Selig and Keri Nelson. New additions to the La Sportiva team for 2009 include Jenny Capel, Megan Kimmel, Luke Nelson and Andy Skurka.

Associate sponsors for the La Sportiva running team include Sugoi, Petzl, 1st Endurance and Ultimate Direction. Sugoi’s Marketing Manager Kara Hurry states “For years, hard-core endurance athletes have known Sugoi as making the most incredible, and incredibly hard-working, apparel in endurance sports. Sponsoring the La Sportiva running team is a perfect fit for us, not only because of the high caliber of athletes on their team, but also because of the synergies that exist between our brands and the loyal following of active enthusiasts we both share.” Sugoi will serve as the official apparel sponsor of the La Sportiva team.

“Water is an essential element for peak training, racing and performance,” states Sue Edmiston, Ultimate Direction’s Marketing Manager. “At Ultimate Direction, we sponsor only the most passionate running teams and individual athletes. La Sportiva’s team roster for 2009 includes some of the best endurance athletes in the world. With our innovative array of hydration products we plan to keep them on the move.”

New for 2009, La Sportiva will be partnering with the Pacific Coast Trail Running Series. The Pacific Crest Trail Runs includes a series of 28 races from January to December. There are two remaining races on the calendar for February including the popular Sequoia event in Oakland, California. La Sportiva athlete Caitlin Smith won the overall Series title last year and is off to a strong start again this year, taking the 30km at the Pacifica Race on January 17. La Sportiva also confirmed its role as the title sponsor for the USATF Oregon Mountain Running Series beginning this May. Last year’s inaugural series featured scenic races on Mt. Hood, Mt. Bachelor and Mt. Ashland. In addition to these 4 races the 2009 series adds a steep 2-mile challenge in the Columbia River Gorge and a new up/down format race in Oakridge, OR just East of Eugene.

Go to www.mountainrunning.com for a complete list of the 2009 La Sportiva running team roster, associate sponsors and calendar of racing events.