February 18th, 2013
Ultimate Direction to sponsor the Ultra Race of Champions
February 15th, Vail, CO and Boulder, CO- J. Russell Gill, race director for the Ultra Race of Champions (UROC), announces today that Ultimate Direction will sponsor the 2013 UROC and function as the UROC official hydration product. Ultimate Direction will have a strong presence at the race and at the Champions Expo. In addition, several of Ultimate Direction’s sponsored athletes, including Anton Krupicka, will compete at UROC for the cash purse. The iconic standing of Ultimate Direction in the ultra running market is a perfect match for UROC.
“Ultimate Direction is always at the forefront of the sport, innovating their products every year through athletes’ feedback,” says Gill. “Their mission to reengineer, reinvent, and redefine high performance hydration for everyday athletes is a perfect fit for the Ultra Race of Champions”.
“I have been using Ultimate Direction products since my first ultra race,” says Dr. Francesca Conte, Bad to the Bone president and UROC Marketing Director. “Their BPA-free bottles, along with their lightweight packs and hand held bottles, have always been my favorite. I am very excited to be working more closely with Ultimate Direction and Buzz Burrell this year!”
"This is going to be the pre-eminent ultra race in the world,” says Buzz Burrell, Ultimate Direction Brand Manager. “A lot of factors came together, the course is great, and all the top US runners, along with many European runners, will be there. This is what Ultimate Direction is about – we're really happy to be supporting this super-cool event."
Ultimate Direction has a long history of catering to runners of all backgrounds, and to help everyone complete their journey, making this partnership with UROC a perfect match.
With the race taking place at altitude, hydration will be a key factor for every runner
“Thanks to this partnership, I feel confident that we, as a race, will be able to provide the best type of advice and support to every runner on the course,” says Gill. “I want to see everyone finish and have a great time by hydrating the smart way. I know the Ultimate Directions products will help every runner on the course achieve this goal.”
The three-event race, which includes the Ultra Race of Champions 100K, the Über Rock 50K, and Cruxy Half Marathon, will take place in Vail, Colorado on September 28th, 2013. The Ultra Race of Champions course will start on Main Street in Breckenridge, Colorado and cross several high mountain passes before finishing in Vail Village. The 50K and Half Marathon courses will take place on and around Vail Mountain. The race will also serve as the Skyrunner® World Series Ultra Final, and is presented by Competitor Magazine. The UROC point-to-point course is dependent upon US Forest Service approval.
About the Ultra Race of Champions
The Ultra Race of Champions is the Championship Event for the sport of Ultra Distance Running. Elite runners are invited based on the recommendation of the Ultra Race of Champions Elite Advisory Council and their performances at key events in the sport all over the world. The UROC Elite Advisory Council includes some of the best ultra runners from around the World: Geoff Roes, Dave Mackey, Ellie Greenwood, Michael Wardian, Devon Yanko and Ian Sharman. www.ultraroc.com
About Ultimate Direction
Fueling the ambitions of ultra-marathoners, runners, and recreational walkers, Ultimate Direction designs and creates the next generation of hydration solutions to maximize performance wherever your two feet take you. The Signature Series and soon to be released Jurek Collection join a complete line of innovative hand-helds, water belts, waist packs, and backpack hydration all designed to keep you moving forward with comfort, ease and superior functionality. www.UltimateDirection.com
About Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports
By directing premiere road and trail events all over the United States, Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports strives to motivate runners of all backgrounds to challenge themselves. For over 11 years, Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports events have reflected owners Gill and Francesca’s decades-long knowledge and passion for running. www.badtothebone.biz
About the International Skyrunning Federation
Skyrunning, or high altitude running, is defined as the discipline of mountain running up to or exceeding 2,000m where the incline exceeds 30% and the climbing difficulty does not exceed II° grade. The governing body is the International Skyrunning Federation. The sport comprises a number of different disciplines from the short, steep Vertical Kilometer® to the more popular SkyRace® and Ultra SkyMarathon®.
The principal aims of the International Skyrunning Federation are the direction, regulation, promotion, development and furtherance of skyrunning and similar multisport activities on a worldwide basis. The International Skyrunning Federation is also the organizer of the Skyrunner® World Series. www.skyrunning.com
International Skyrunning Federation