The Ports of Auckland has been confirmed as a major sponsor for the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Auckland event, bronchi which takes place on Sunday 20 January 2013.

The race will be based on Auckland’s waterfront, erectile with a 1.9K swim from the Maritime Museum to the Viaduct Harbour, 90K cycle (including a traverse of the Auckland Harbour Bridge) and two-lap 21.1K run along the waterfront.

The Ports of Auckland welcomes the new event to the city, and particularly for the waterfront, as a valuable boost to both domestic and international visitor numbers.

“The Ports of Auckland strongly believes we have a role to play in supporting events that will help bring new money and visitors to our city and particularly to our waterfront, which we share with the community,” said Ports of Auckland CEO, Tony Gibson.

“We also understand the importance of health and fitness both in the community and with our own staff and contractors, many of whom are shift workers. We support the need for health and fitness among our staff and are offering staff the opportunity to enter teams into this event.

“The event sits alongside our naming rights sponsorship of the Round the Bays fun run, which we have recently renewed for a further three year term.”

Unveiled last July, as part of Ironman brand owner World Triathlon Corp’s (WTC’s) international expansion plans, Ironman 70.3 Auckland 2013 has been designated as the official Asia Pacific Championship.

The event provides an additional opportunity for athletes in the Asia Pacific region to qualify for the annual Ironman 70.3 World Championship at Las Vegas, USA. Entries for the inaugural IM 70.3 Auckland event opened on Tuesday 24 July.

Ironman 70.3 Auckland brings the Ironman series full circle back to Auckland. The city was the first international race venue chosen when the Ironman brand began its global growth in the mid-80’s. Today the Ironman brand continues to grow with more than 30 Ironman and 60 Ironman 70.3 races around the world each year; over 150,000 participants annually.

A mainstay in the Ironman series, Ironman New Zealand was staged in Auckland for 14 years, based at Mission Bay and then St Heliers, before moving to Taupo in 1999. The full distance race has attracted more than 22,000 participants, more than half from overseas.

Ironman 70.3 Auckland is expected to attract more than 1,200 professional and age group participants annually including a significant number of international athletes. The event will offer a professional prize purse of US$75,000, 1,500 professional points for the elite field and 45 age group qualifying slots for the Ironman World Championship 70.3.

Betting operators, Betfred and Totepool have inked deals with 31 Racecourse Media Group racetracks, plus Ascot, to provide pool betting services and on-course betting shops.

The courses include Cheltenham, Aintree, Newmarket, Epsom, York, Newbury, Goodwood, Sandown and Ascot, which will join RMG in June 2014. 

The pool betting arrangement means the on-course Totepool betting service will remain at those circuits until at least July 2018.

All on-course betting shops will now be operated by Betfred for the same term.

The deal ensures Betfred and Totepool’s portfolio of race sponsorship – including the Ebor, Cambridgeshire and Cesarewitch – will continue across all the 32 courses.

RMG chief executive officer Richard FitzGerald said: “We are delighted to conclude these deals with Betfred and Totepool which guarantee and protect the future of pool betting and Totepool products at our racecourses until July 2018.

“The aim is to not only provide a first-class service for racegoers but also to grow the business for the benefit of the sport as a whole.”

Totepool managing director Phil Siers said: “Totepool has an exclusive seven-year UK licence and is committed to developing and improving its racecourse facilities, and customer service to Betfred’s high standards.

“Totepool will make a significant capital investment in the business and expects this investment to drive a high rate of return, and to quickly help Totepool and its partners deliver a flagship operation.”

The LPGA and the Toledo Classic, prostate Inc. Board of Trustees today announced that Marathon Petroleum Corporation has secured the title sponsorship rights to the Toledo-based tournament.

The event is to be played July 18-21, cialis 2013 at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, symptoms Ohio.

The Marathon Classic presented by Owens Corning & O-I will return to global television this year via Golf Channel and the LPGA’s international television partners that will bring the 28^th edition of the northwest Ohio tournament to more than 160 countries across the world. Over the past 28 years, the tournament has contributed $7.75 million to more than 100 children’s charities in northwest Ohio and southeastern Michigan.

“This is tremendous news for the LPGA and the loyal golf fans of northwest Ohio,” said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan. “Marathon Petroleum is an extremely successful and well respected company and we are excited to welcome them to the LPGA family. Our players have always enjoyed playing in northwest Ohio and now thanks to Marathon’s title sponsorship, fans across the globe will get to see the LPGA’s stars at one of their favorite tournaments.”

The Golden Lions also known as the MTN Golden Lions have received a huge setback after soft drinks giant Coca-Cola pulled it’s naming rights for the Rugby clubs stadium after four years with the club.

The Lions home stadium Ellis Park has been known as Coca-Cola Park since 2008 but the Lions are now referring to the stadium a as Ellis Park – and not Coca-Cola Park.

A Lions press release this week referred to the stadium as Ellis Park and reports then followed confirming that Coca-Cola had ended their R12m-a-year deal in December last year.

The Lions then released a statement confirming that beverage company Coca-Cola had chosen not to renew their naming rights sponsorship of Ellis Park Stadium.

“We deliberated on this issue long and hard as (our sponsorship) has been a mutually beneficial association,” said Craig van Niekerk, Marketing Assets Manager at Coca-Cola South Africa.

“We have however evaluated our portfolio of assets and, for the next few years, our strategy will focus on youth sports development.”

“We wish the Golden Lions Rugby Union all the best in their future endeavours.”

The Barbarian Football Club has appointed Rhino Rugby as official teamwear and clothing supplier for its summer tour in 2013.

The two-match tour kicks-off with the annual fixture against England at Twickenham on Sunday 26 May and concludes with a high profile clash against the British and Irish Lions in Hong Kong on Saturday 1 June.

The Barbarian Football Club has appointed Rhino Rugby as official teamwear and clothing supplier for its summer tour in 2013.The two-match tour kicks-off with the annual fixture against England at Twickenham on Sunday 26 May and concludes with a high profile clash against the British and Irish Lions in Hong Kong on Saturday 1 June. 

Derek Quinnell, the former Lion and Barbarian who will manage the Barbarians on the tour, said: “It is a great honour for us as a touring club to play England every May and to follow that with the hugely anticipated match against the Lions is a great challenge as well as an honour.

“I was fortunate to play in the corresponding fixture for the Lions against the Baa-Baas back in 1977 so I realise what next summer’s match in Hong Kong will mean for both sets of players.

“The Barbarian club is pleased to have agreed a contract with Rhino Rugby for the two matches.”

Reg Clark, Rhino Group CEO, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to be appointed to this prestigious contract and particularly excited that on 1 June in Hong Kong Rhino will be supplying not only the match ball for the opening game of 2013 Lions’ tour but also the playing kit for the Barbarians on an historic occasion.”

English League One team. Shrewsbury Town have announced that funeral directors Pughs of Shrewsbury will extend their matchday programme sponsorship in 2013.

Peter Forrest, nurse Managing Director of Pughs of Shrewsbury, pilule said: “We are delighted to be associated with Shrewsbury Town Football Club who, like ourselves, have been part of the local heritage for over 120 years.

“A lot of work goes into the matchday programme to make it such an excellent production, and we are more than happy to support this and, in turn, support our local team.”

From their offices on the banks of the River Severn at Coleham, Pughs have provided a highly personal and professional funeral service to families at their time of need since 1890.

Andrew Tretton, Town’s commercial sales executive, added: “The club are really pleased that Pughs are continuing their sponsorship and we appreciate the backing that Peter has given us.

“This support, as with all our sponsors and corporate partners, enables us to field as strong a team as possible out on the pitch which is what we are all here for ultimately.”

TaylorMade Golf Company has added to it’s growing list of golf ambassadors by adding Major Champion Stewart Cink and 2012 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, John Huh.

TaylorMade has also signed two-time PGA Tour winner, Ryan Moore as well as J.J. Henry, Chad Campbell and Brian Davis.

Cink, winner of the 2009 Open Championship, will wear a TaylorMade hat, use a TaylorMade bag and play the new R1 driver. He will also wear Ashworth apparel. Huh has signed an 11-club deal and is playing the R1 and new RocketBallz Stage 2 3-wood.

“We are excited to build on another landmark year for our organisation and we’re confident our new class of Tour staff professionals will amplify and reinforce our positioning as the undisputed industry leader around the world,” said Chuck Presto, TaylorMade Senior Vice President of Global Sports Marketing.

In addition to its fresh faces, TaylorMade has announced the re-signing of two of its longest standing Tour staff professionals, Retief Goosen and Sean O’Hair.

Goosen, twice a U.S. Open Champion and the owner of 44 professional victories, will continue to wear a TaylorMade hat, carry a TaylorMade bag and play a full complement of TaylorMade equipment including the new LETHAL golf ball. Goosen will also wear Ashworth apparel.

Sean O’Hair, meanwhile, re-signed his agreement with TaylorMade at the conclusion of the 2012 PGA Tour season and will continue to wear a TaylorMade hat, Ashworth apparel and play a full complement of TaylorMade equipment, including the new RocketBladez Tour irons. He enters the 2013 season with great momentum having teamed with Adams Golf Tour staff professional, Kenny Perry, to win the 2012 Shark Shootout at Tiburon in early December.