Ironman New Zealand, the biggest annual one-day international sporting event in this country, has signed a naming sponsorship agreement with Kellogg NZ Ltd.
The Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Ironman New Zealand is an official qualifying event for this week’s Ironman World Championship in Hawaii.
Terenzo Bozzone
(Photo: Ironman New Zealand; click to enlarge) |
The 27th staging of the event, involving a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km run, will take place in Taupo on Saturday 5 March 2011. Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Ironman New Zealand has attracted a sell-out 1500 starters from 40 nations, the biggest ever entry in the event’s history.
Kellogg NZ will also sponsor outstanding New Zealand Ironman triathlete Terenzo Bozzone, who is preparing for this weekend’s world championship. Bozzone has confirmed that he is a definite starter for the 2011 Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Ironman New Zealand.
Kellogg NZ Sponsorship Manager, Emma Smith said: “Kellogg's Nutri-Grain has been a favourite cereal of Kiwi kids and a proud supporter of sporting events for many years. So we are thrilled to now also be involved with elite Ironmen and women through our sponsorship of kiwi hero Terenzo Bozzone and also the 2011 Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Ironman New Zealand event.”
Ironman New Zealand Event Director Jane Patterson said there is much in common between the two organisations.
“Like Kellogg we hold much store in the aspirational goals of people who take on this event, and the many inspirational stories of those who have realised their dreams and have joined the 18,243 family of Ironman New Zealand finishers,” she said.
“Kellogg’s have been a key player in their field and a trusted, well-established brand that is dedicated to supporting healthy, active lives. Ironman New Zealand has been around for nearly three decades in this country with similar goals and aims.”
Bozzone, the former Ironman 70.3 World Champion, says he is thrilled with the new relationship.
“I am delighted that a global brand like Kellogg’s is getting behind Ironman New Zealand which has been an event that I have aspired to take part in for so many years,” Bozzone said. “I can honestly remember my mother waking me up to go to swim training every morning at 4.15am with a bowl of Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain.”
Ironman New Zealand is the oldest International ironman event, the first approached after the then Ironman Hawaii owners looked to globalise their event. There are now 24 official Ironman World Qualifying races in 14 countries which culminate in the Ironman World Championship in Kona-Kailua each October. There are also currently 42 International Ironman 70.3 races in 18 countries qualifying for the world championship in Florida in November.
