PRESS RELEASE SUBMITTED BY COLUMBIA

National Series of Off-road Adventure Races Expands to 18 U.S. Cities in 2010
 
OCTOBER 27, 2009, SAN DIEGO, CA,—The Competitor Group announced today that Columbia Sportswear will become the title sponsor of the popular Muddy Buddy Ride & Run Series. The agreement includes naming rights of the 18-event Columbia Muddy Buddy Series, as well as the Columbia Mini Muddy Buddy and designates Columbia as the exclusive apparel and footwear sponsor.
 
Columbia Muddy Buddy Ride & Run events are adventure races that require two-person teams to navigate a six to seven-mile mountain bike and trail-running course containing five obstacles. Each event’s signature finale involves both teammates belly-crawling through a 60-foot-long mud pit before crossing the finish line. Kids between the ages of four and 13 can also join in the fun as a part of the Columbia Mini Muddy Buddy in which they complete a short obstacle course and slither through the same mud pit as the grown-ups.  
 
The 10-year-old Muddy Buddy Series, which has become known for eccentric costumes and entertaining post race festivities, hosts between 900 and 1,800 two-person teams at each event and has responded to this growing popularity by expanding from 8 to 18 events over the last three years.
 
“Columbia has a strong affinity with outdoor enthusiasts and we're thrilled to be the title sponsor of the Muddy Buddy Series,” said Linda Reese, director of marketing communications of Columbia Sportswear. “Muddy Buddy provides a national platform to communicate our brand proposition to consumers while promoting a fun outdoor adventure race for all abilities. Muddy Buddy events are also great opportunities for Columbia to partner with key outdoor retailers to help build their business in the local community, while creating increased exposure for the Columbia brand.”
 
“Columbia’s sponsorship reinforces the series appeal to active enthusiasts. The time participants spend on the six-mile course is true enjoyment of the outdoors,” said John Smith, Senior Vice-President of the Competitor Group. “Columbia has an unparalleled connection to the outdoors and we look forward to working with them as we expand the national series to 18 events in 2010.”
 
The 2010 Columbia Muddy Buddy Series kicks off with an inaugural event in Las Vegas on March 7 and will also include new events in New York, Portland, Minneapolis and Miami. A portion of the proceeds from the events are donated to the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which raises money for athletes with disabilities and provides them with adaptive equipment.
 
“We’ve had a tremendous relationship with our ‘partners in grime’ for over a decade and are thrilled to see a great sponsor like Columbia come on board,” said Bob Babbitt, founder of the Muddy Buddy Series. “These races are a great way for the whole family to get out and enjoy an exciting, unique event. The courses are appropriate for any ability level, and the relaxed atmosphere is perfect for anyone looking to have a great time and get muddy!”
 
To register for any of the 2010 Muddy Buddy events or for more information, please visit www.muddybuddy.com. 
 
2010 Columbia Muddy Buddy Dates & Locations

Sunday, March 7  Las Vegas, NV*
Sunday, March 28  Temecula, CA
Sunday, May 2   Richmond, VA
Saturday, May 8  Orlando, FL
Sunday, May 16  Austin, TX
Saturday May 22  Nashville, TN
Sunday, June 6  San Jose, CA
Saturday, June 19  Atlanta, GA
Sunday, July 11  Detroit, MI
Saturday, July 25  New York, NY*
Sunday, August 1  Chicago, IL
Sunday, August 15  Boulder, CO
Sunday, August 22  Minneapolis, MN*
Sunday, October 17  Portland, OR*
Sunday, October 24  Dallas, TX
Sunday, November 7  Los Angeles, CA
Sunday, November 14  Phoenix, AZ
Sunday, November 21  Miami, FL*

*New event for 2010 series