USAT, Athletes for a Fit Planet Extend Partnership

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Triathlon announced Monday that it has extended its partnership with Athletes for a Fit Planet through 2010, supporting a commitment to implement programs that preserve natural resources and protect the environment via its GoGreen initiative.

An official supplier and USAT GoGreen partner for the second consecutive year, FitPlanet is a leading provider of environmental services to organizers of athletic events across North America, including multisport, running, cycling and walking events.

"USA Triathlon is thrilled to be partnered with FitPlanet once again in 2010," said USAT CEO Skip Gilbert. "Environmentally sound practices are important to our membership, and we continually strive to make our national events as sustainable and green as possible. FitPlanet has been an invaluable resource in reaching these goals, and I encourage all race directors to take the FitPlanet Pledge of Sustainability."

As a key part of this partnership, USAT has taken FitPlanet's Pledge of Sustainability for the 2010 Age Group, Elite and Sprint National Championship in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Other event directors can follow suit and gain access to the FitPlanet Resource Center that includes an online how-to manual for greening their event, a green business directory, access to a monthly webcast and other useful resources that enable them to cost-effectively green their events.

To qualify to display the Pledge of Sustainability logo on the race website, a race director must agree to implement a minimum of nine out of 26 possible criteria. Similar to USAT's Age Group, Elite and Sprint National Championship events, races that meet the criteria will be listed in FitPlanet's Green Events Directory, which provides athletes with detailed information about the race including the specific criteria the event organizer has pledged to implement.

The FitPlanet Green Events Directory is linked to usatriathlon.org.

"FitPlanet is excited to be partnering with USAT again this year to provide both race directors and triathletes with resources and information for creating more sustainable events," said Bruce Rayner, chief green officer at Athletes for a Fit Planet. "The fact that the USAT has taken the Pledge of Sustainability for the 2010 Age Group, Elite and Sprint National Championship in Tuscaloosa this September is testament to its commitment to environmental responsibility."

About Athletes for a Fit Planet
Athletes for a Fit Planet^TM is a leading provider of environmental services to organizers of athletic events across North America, including multisport, running, cycling and walking events. The company provides online environmental news and information for athletes and innovative marketing services for environmentally responsible companies. FitPlanet's Pledge of Sustainability and Green Events Directory provide a cost-effective way for event organizers to communicate their green practices to athletes, and for athletes to make informed decisions about the events they participate in. Visit us at www.afitplanet.com or contact Bruce Rayner, Chief Green Officer, at bruce@afitplanet.com.

About the Fit Planet Pledge of Sustainability
By taking the Pledge of Sustainability event organizers gain access to the FitPlanet Resource Center that includes an online how-to manual for greening their event, a green business directory, access to a monthly webcast, and other useful resources that enable them to cost-effectively green their events. To qualify to display the Pledge of Sustainability logo on their website, the race must agree to implement a minimum of nine out of a possible 26 criteria. FitPlanet lists all pledged events in the Green Events Directory, which provides athletes with detailed information about the race including the specific criteria the event organizer has pledged to implement. The Pledge of Sustainability costs event organizers $100 and is an important step toward earning certification to the Council for Responsible Sport standard.

About USA Triathlon's GoGreen Initiative
USA Triathlon is committed to implementing programs that preserve natural resources and protect the environment via its GoGreen initiative. This commitment is evidenced in USAT's use of recycled paper in printing projects; offering educational programs to its members, coaches and race directors; in addition to pursuing recycling and environmentally responsible efforts at its national office and championship events. Partnerships with organizations such as Athletes for a Fit Planet, Greenlayer Sports Apparel and Eco-Sports Bottle ensure that USAT supports and promotes eco-friendly products and services in a manner consistent with the USAT GoGreen initiative. Additionally, USAT has introduced online versions of USA Triathlon Life Magazine and event programs to further its environmentally-friendly practices.

About USA Triathlon
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon - one of the fastest growing sports in the world - as well as duathlon, aquathlon and winter triathlon in the United States. USAT sanctions 3,100 races and connects with nearly 130,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work with athletes, coaches, and race directors on the grassroots level, USAT provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including World Championships, Pan American Games and the Summer Olympic Games.