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EDITOR'S NOTE: Peter Englehart, a Falconhead Capital executive and former senior vice president of programming and production for the Outdoor Life Network, will be a keynote speaker at the upcoming Running USA 2008 Conference in La Jolla, California on February 10-12, 2008. Falconhead Capital Acquires Three Endurance Sport Companies, Forms Major Endurance-Sport Event and Publishing Platform NEW YORK & SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Falconhead Capital, LLC, a private equity firm specializing in investments in sports, leisure, lifestyle, and media focused businesses, today announced that it has simultaneously acquired three separate enterprises in the endurance sport event and publishing industries and combined them to form a major new platform company, which will be known as Competitor Group, Inc. (“CGI” or the “Company”). At inception, CGI is the largest media and event based enterprise in the endurance sport space, with total monthly magazine circulation of approximately 500,000; marathons, triathlons, cycling and other endurance events in sixteen major cities with more than 150,000 participants; and a unique opportunity to leverage its media and event assets into a major global enterprise. Additionally, CGI boasts the preeminent new media platform in the sector. The three acquired companies, all of which are based in San Diego, Calif., the endurance-sport capital of the world, are Elite Racing, Inc. (“Elite”); La Jolla Holding Group LLC, doing business as Triathlete Magazine (“Triathlete”); and Competitor Publishing, Inc. (“Competitor Publishing”). As a result of the transactions, financial terms of which were not disclosed, Competitor Group, Inc. is now the largest media and event business exclusively focused on the endurance sport industry—principally including running, cycling and triathlons—a rapidly growing, $1.3 billion industry with more than 3.4 million active participants nationwide, most in the attractive 25 to 54 years old demographic, and with an average household annual income consistently in the $75,000 to $95,000 range. Elite Racing is the largest owner and operator of running events in the United States, with eight events across the country. Currently slated events for 2008 include races in San Diego, San Jose and Carlsbad, Calif.; Phoenix, Ariz.; San Antonio, Tex.; Nashville, Tenn.; Virginia Beach, Va.; and Philadelphia, Pa. Elite is a diversified business with several income sources including, among others, participant entry fees, sponsorship, TV, merchandise, and fitness expos. Triathlete is the largest triathlon consumer magazine and online content provider in the industry, with total monthly circulation per issue of about 60,000. Competitor Publishing publishes regional magazines with controlled monthly circulation totaling about 450,000. The magazines are a major resource for endurance events, training tips, nutrition and products. Competitor Publishing also owns the Muddy Buddy endurance events, which take place across the country and feature two-person teams competing in a bike/run relay over six- to seven-mile courses. Featured events for 2008 will take place in San Jose and Los Angeles, Calif.; Boulder, Co.; Chicago, Ill.; Richmond, Va.; Atlanta, Ga.; Orlando, Fla.; and Austin, Tex. David S. Moross, chairman and chief executive officer of Falconhead Capital, said: “This deal is enormously exciting for Falconhead and transformative for the endurance sport industry. It is consistent with our strategy, which has long focused on investments in sports, leisure, lifestyle and media related businesses. “It creates, at inception, the nation’s leading media and event company focused on the passionate and upscale amateur participants in endurance sports, a fast-growing industry in which, for example, triathlon participation has been growing 23 percent annually over the past five years. “Also at inception, CGI owns and operates endurance and fitness events in 16 major cities with more than 150,000 annual participants; consumer magazines with about 500,000 total monthly circulation; specialty publications such as race programs, buyer’s guides, and endurance events books; multiple leading websites; and a weekly radio show. “In short, the formation of Competitor Group, Inc. represents a significant opportunity for Falconhead to leverage CGI’s current assets into the number-one online destination/community for endurance athletes, incorporating authoritative ‘insider’ content, race results, merchandise and streaming video, as well as such growth areas as advertising and sponsorship revenue through the creation of an integrated CGI sales force; and to further expand CGI’s national footprint both organically and through further acquisitions,” Mr. Moross said. To lead CGI’s management team and drive the rapid implementation of its business and growth strategy, Falconhead has named one of its senior operating executives, Peter Englehart, chief executive officer of CGI, effective immediately. Mr. Englehart, 55, who will shortly be moving to CGI’s headquarters in San Diego, has been a Falconhead operating partner for the past three years. He was previously founder and president of the Convention & Trade Show Television Network, LLC (CTS-TV); senior vice president of programming and production for the Outdoor Life Network (OLN); and director of program planning at ESPN. “Peter’s extensive experience, knowledge and relationships in the endurance sport industry and related media will be tremendously useful in helping CGI execute its business plan and growth strategy,” Mr. Moross said. Falconhead Capital, LLC (www.falconheadcapital.com), with $500 million of assets under management, is a private equity firm established in 1998 to provide investors with significant long-term capital appreciation by investing globally in consumer-focused businesses in the sport, leisure, lifestyle, recreation and related consumer categories. In addition to Competitor Group, Inc., Falconhead Capital's current portfolio investments include Extreme Fitness, Inc., Our365 (formerly Growing Family), Escort, Inc., and Premier, Inc. Past Falconhead portfolio investments including, among others, National Powersport Auctions, Maritime Telecommunications Network, The Golf Warehouse, and ESPN Classic Europe, LLC. CONTACTS: Kekst and Company |
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Return to top / Return to main page Foody Shatters Avia OC Marathon Women's Record,
Kabiso Takes Top Overall Marathon Honors NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - (January 6, 2008) - Kassahun Kabiso and Cheryl Foody captured men's and women's titles to highlight the fourth annual Avia OC Marathon presented by Nutrilite on Sunday morning. Kabiso, 24, a native of Ethiopia, ran the 26.2 mile course, which started in Newport Beach and finished in Irvine, in 2 hours, 23 minutes, 46 seconds with his first-ever OC Marathon. Foody clocked a 2008 Olympic Trials qualifying 2:38:38 to set a new race record, shattering the old mark by nearly eight minutes. Mary Akor established the previous mark of 2:46:04 last year. Foody, 27, a local runner from nearby Aliso Viejo, who had not competed in a marathon since 2004, showed no ill effects from the layoff as she wrested the lead away at the 12-mile mark and went unchallenged to the tape. "It's all good right now," said Foody, who began training in earnest in September. "There are peaks and valleys in every race, but overall, I felt strong." Alluding to her hiatus from marathon competition, Foody realized she needed to take action. "Something clicked in my head that if I wanted to achieve my goals and dreams, I'd better go for it," she said. Foody outdistanced Romanian Claudia Colita, who finished runner-up in 2:47:10, and third place finisher Rebecca Tallam(2:58:46) of Kenya. Christian Hesch, the 2007 OC Marathon men's winner, seemed headed for a repeat win after holding a two and a half minute lead at the race's midpoint. But his cushion dwindled to 45 seconds at the 18-mile mark and he retired shortly thereafter. Kabiso seized the lead, and held off challengers Deresse Deniboba and Charles Kiplagat. Kiplagat closed to within 30 meters of Kabiso in between mile 24 and 25, but Kabiso took one look over his shoulder and put on a burst of speed, lengthening his lead out to 80 meters. "I know you have to be smart and control your pace," said Kabiso. "Our paces were different, but when I began to pull away I knew I was going to win." An injured toe prevented Kiplagat, who finished second in 2:24:52, from generating a push in the final stretch. "That last mile I thought I could catch him (Kabiso), but my toe was a problem. My toe didn't give me room for a final kick." Winners of the half-marathon included a pair of Kenyans on the men's and women's sides. Wesley Ochoro (1:04:14.85) nipped fellow countryman Lamech Mokono (1:04:14.90) by one-half of one-tenth of a second to take the men's title, while Hyvon Ngetich ran a 1:13:57 to win the women's race. In the men's 5K, Dave Schumacher of Huntington Beach won in 15:17, narrowly edging Riverside's Spencer Knight (15:19). The women's 5K victor was Huntington Beach's Kelly Flathers, who had a time of 17:35, over masters and past winner Ceci St. Geme of Newport Beach. 4th Avia OC Marathon presented
by Nutrilite MEN WOMEN Half-Marathon WOMEN 5K WOMEN Deeper results at: OCMarathon.com |
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Return to top / Return to main page On the Big Screen for One Night: "Spirit
of the Marathon" on January 24 CENTENNIAL, Colo. - For many runners, a marathon is measured by much more than miles, kilometers or the hours it takes to complete - it's measured by sweat, blisters and perseverance, as well as physical and mental endurance. The documentary, "Spirit of the Marathon," captures the individual journeys six runners take to prepare for and ultimately face the challenge of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon in an extraordinary theatre event that portrays the drama of the famed 26.2 mile race. More than a sports event, "Spirit of the Marathon" is an inspirational journey with unique, theatre-only features that will be embraced by runners and non-runners alike. National CineMedia's (NCM) Fathom, in partnership with Active.com, an online community of the Active Network, and Wasserman Media Group, is proud to present "Spirit of the Marathon" on the big screen in high-definition with Cinema Surround Sound on Thursday, January 24th at 7:30pm local time to more than 460 participating AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark USA Inc., Goodrich Quality Theaters, Marcus Theatres, National Amusements and Regal Entertainment Group movie theatres and the Penn Cinema (Lititz, PA) performing arts center through NCM's Digital Broadcast Network. A "Behind-the-Scenes" featurette produced specifically for - and shown only at this one-night event - includes interviews with the director and producers as well as marathon veterans reminiscing about their first marathon experiences. The featurette highlights deleted scenes, dramatic race footage and previews the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympics with a Q&A session with Olympians Deena Kastor and Ryan Hall. Tickets for this special one-time-only event are available at presenting theatre box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of presenting theatre locations and prices, please visit the Fathom website. Four years in the making, "Spirit of the Marathon" is the collaborative effort of three-time Academy Award winner Mark Jonathon Harris, Telly Award winner and marathon runner Jon Dunham and producer / marathoner Gwendolen Twist. Filmed on four continents, the movie brings together a diverse cast of amateur athletes and marathon veterans including: * Deena Kastor - 2004 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist - As a professional runner for more than a decade, Deena had set numerous U.S. and world records, but never attained a marathon victory. The Team Running USA athlete set her sights on a win at the Chicago Marathon before preparing for the 2008 Olympic Games. * Leah Caille - First-time marathoner - Picking up the pieces from her failed marriage, single-mother Leah found herself at an all-time low. Leah regained health and happiness by joining a running program and completing many races before deciding to train for and run the Chicago Marathon. * Gerald "Jerry" Meyers - Four-time marathoner - Jerry has been a runner since the 1970s, but never ran a marathon until he was 65. He races in the Chicago Marathon at 70 years old with his 40-year-old daughter who was inspired to train for the marathon by her father's marathon accomplishments. * Daniel Njenga - World class marathoner - A native of Nyahururu, Kenya, Daniel lives and trains in Japan where he is a two-time winner of the Tokyo International Marathon. Daniel has finished in the top three in the Chicago Marathon for six consecutive years with a personal best of 2:06:16 which ranks him as one of the all-time fastest runners in the world. * Lori O'Connor - First-time marathoner - Lori, a Northwestern University student pursuing her doctorate in sociology, trained for four months to race in the Chicago Marathon while raising funds for Genesis of Pittsburgh, the non-profit adoption agency that matched her with a family as an infant. * Ryan Bradley - Boston Marathon hopeful - Ryan's participation in and completion of the Chicago Marathon will ultimately help him reach his goal of running in the Boston Marathon - a goal he previously missed by 11 seconds. Cameras follow Ryan as he trains for the Chicago Marathon and ultimately experiences the marathon in a way he never imagined. "It was a thrill to be a part of 'Spirit of the Marathon' and even more exciting to see the essence of this great sport captured so beautifully," said Deena Kastor, a two-time Olympian. "It is my greatest hope that millions will relate to 'Spirit of the Marathon' and that many more be inspired by it." "NCM Fathom is excited to partner with Wasserman Media Group to bring this inspirational and educational theatre event to the big screen following its recognition at the Chicago International Film Festival," said Dan Diamond, vice president of NCM Fathom. "'Spirit of the Marathon' is an event that will connect young and old, those who run and those who don't. It is a powerful experience for all." For more information, contact: Melissa Leggett, Spirit of the Marathon, (213) 625-1801 or mleggett@calico1880.com Return to top / Return to main page Ready, Set, Run for a Cure: St. Jude Heroes Prepare for 2008 ING Georgia Marathon To amateur athletes, 26.2 miles may seem impossible, but each year, thousands of individuals discover their own potential while crossing the finish line. Many run to push themselves physically and some run to inspire hope in others. One such group of athletes call themselves St. Jude Heroes. Started in 1999 by runners in Washington, D.C., the St. Jude Heroes Charity Athlete program encourages athletes to accomplish personal fitness goals while fundraising to support the life-saving work of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance and families without insurance are never asked to pay. Sign-up to become a St. Jude Hero for the 2008 ING Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon, in Atlanta, on Sunday, March 30. Both the marathon and half-marathon are USATF-certified courses with routes that start and finish in Centennial Olympic Park. For more race information, visit: INGGeorgiaMarathon.com Anyone can be a St. Jude Hero. Each Hero receives fitness and fundraising support, a Heroes resource packet and information about St. Jude to share with sponsors. St. Jude Heroes have access to a virtual training module that provides a fitness assessment and a tailored daily training regimen, as well as their own personalized Web sites to keep in touch with sponsors as their event date approaches. St. Jude Heroes are also eligible for great incentives based on their fundraising level, such as a St. Jude Heroes Nike Dri-FIT shirt, invitation to a Heroes-only pre-race pasta party, and much more. To become a St. Jude Hero and to help save the lives of children, go to: StJudeHeroes.org Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director |
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