The Auckland Marathon has revealed Asics have signed on as official footwear and apparel sponsor in a five-year deal.

Asics has announced a five year sponsorship partnership with the Auckland Marathon, joining the event as the official footwear and apparel sponsor.

The leading technical running brand has long been associated with international running events and this latest announcement further adds to Asics’ partnerships with high profile marathons around the world, says Asics New Zealand Manager Greig Bramwell.

“The new agreement with the Auckland Marathon team rounds off a truly international association with world class events for Asics which already includes sponsorship of the New York, Paris, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Sydney, Gold Coast and Melbourne marathons,” says Bramwell.

“We are thrilled to join the highly professional team behind the Auckland Marathon and share the ASICS experience with the thousands of runners who participate in New Zealand’s premier road race.”

Auckland Marathon Managing Director Stephen Brown added: “Our runner experience is always our number one priority so it’s fantastic to have Asics, the brand that is synonymous with running throughout the world, join us in continuing to grow the Auckland Marathon.”

The Auckland Marathon will take place on 2 November.

The Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse will have a new sponsor on board with Bookmakers Boylesports coming on board. 

The April 21 event will this year have a prize fund of 250,000 euro and was won 12 months ago by Liberty Counsel.

Fairyhouse general manager Peter Roe said: “It’s always been the ‘race of the people’ which captures the imagination of every man, woman and child in the country.

“This is also the race where the syndicate, small owner and trainer have the opportunity to come and take on the most famous names in the sport.”

Racing Engineering have announced that Sparco has extended its collaboration with the Spanish GP2 team.

Sparco is the largest Automotive Safety Supplier in the world, therapy and continues as official partner during the upcoming years.

For 2014 Sparco is supplying the team with the world’s lightest and best breathable race suit in the world, yet another innovation breakthrough, which should make drivers not only feel more comfortable, but also allow them to better cope with hot conditions.

Claudio Pastoris, Sparco CEO: “It is a privilege for Sparco to extend its collaboration with Racing Engineering, one of the most prestigious teams in the GP2 Series and we all at Sparco are very proud of Racing Engineering GP2 Championship win last season.

“We have enjoyed a very positive collaboration over the past seasons and I am confident that our new state-of-the-art Extrema RS-10 race suits based on our unique Hocotex technology will make a valuable contribution to the team and its drivers for this coming season. Our two companies share mutual values and an underlining drive to be successful, so we look forward to sharing more podiums and race victories with the team in 2014.”

SKINS, store the compression apparel specialist, pills has announced a partnership with Australian professional triathlete Christian Kemp, viagra 40mg as well as re-signing 2012 Ironman World Champion Leanda Cave, each for one year.

Kemp and Cave will be sporting the latest technology compression garments from SKINS, designed for maximum activity performance and quick recovery. Kemp will wear a two piece triathlon suit with the SKINS logo on the front throughout the 2014 triathlon season, beginning this weekend at Ironman Melbourne – where he finished in the top ten, eighth overall.

2012 Ironman World Champion Leanda Cave will sport a SKINS’ triathlon suit with a rear zip.

“We’re proud to welcome Christian Kemp to the SKINS family, as well as extend our already existing partnership with Leana,” said Dani Said, Senior Marketing Director, SKINS North America. “These relationships exemplify our commitment in outfitting the world’s elite endurance athletes with the latest advances in compression wear, helping them achieve their ultimate goal on race day.”

In 2010, after working in finance in his native Australia, Kemp opted for a career as a professional triathlete, quickly establishing himself as one of the most recognized athletes in his sport. Kemp kicked off the 2013 season in fine fashion, beating a stellar pro field at the inaugural Auckland (New Zealand) Ironman 70.3 race to be crowned Asia-Pacific Champion.

“SKINS is the compression choice for me thanks to the brand’s dedication to research and development, as well as a relentless pursuit of superior quality compression garments”, said Kemp. “Having suffered from a number of injuries throughout my triathlon career, I rely on the most advanced technology in compression and recovery, which is what SKINS gives me each and every day I train to be the best athlete I can be.”

Leanda Cave added: “I love SKINS because they combine the benefits of compression into active sports clothing. Its research has helped benefit me in not only my training efforts, but on race day as well.”

The Professional Golfers Association have announced Golf Pride as a new official supplier. 

As part of the arrangement, seek the leading grip manufacturer will also present an award to the leading assistant professional in the equipment and technology category at the annual PGA Graduation ceremony.

In addition Golf Pride will take centre stage in the PGA Training Academy’s own simulated PGA professional shop which is used to hone the marketing and retail skills of PGA assistants coming through the three year foundation degree programme at its PING House headquarters at the Belfry.

The company is also set to dispense its skill and expertise by creating online webinars and e-learning solutions for both PGA Members and a larger consumer audience.

“We are delighted to have signed this agreement with The PGA and firmly believe it will be beneficial to both parties,” said Conor Dillon, Golf Pride’s regional manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

“By aligning ourselves with the PGA Professional we hope to highlight the importance and benefits of re-gripping and significantly grow the size of the re-gripping market.

“Not only is it important for the end customer, but it can also be a vital source of revenue to the retailer.

“Ultimately the agreement can only raise awareness of the Golf Pride range and help PGA Professionals to sell more grips.”

“Every golfer needs clubs that have grips in tip top condition and we are delighted to welcome Golf Pride into our official supplier programme,” added Robert Maxfield, The PGA’s joint chief operating officer and property and commercial director.

Sports apparel manufacturer 1st Round Athletics has signed endorsement deals with with Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jordan Campbell and Olympic sprint athlete Shawn Crawford.

Between 2004 and 2008, erectile Olympic Sprinter Shawn Crawford received not only two silver medals for the 200 meter and 4×100 meter relay, drugs but an Olympic gold medal for the 200 meter sprint.

“Every advantage you can get is worth it,” said Crawford. “energyDNA gives me that advantage for me to be the best in the world. It’s apparel that gives back. If you don’t get with the program, you’re going to be left behind.”

At the age of 25, after playing for USC for three years and logging a pair of 100-tackle seasons at NCAA Division II New Mexico Highlands, Jordan Campbell started his career with the Cincinnati Bengals as a linebacker and recently signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

“After wearing 1st Round energyDNA for the past 6 weeks, I can’t believe how much my performance has increased,” adds Campbell. “I’ve become stronger, faster, and more explosive.”