IRONMAN Welcomes Zoot Sports as Official Cycling and Triathlon Apparel Partner

October 21, 2024

Co-branded cycling and triathlon technical apparel to be available at IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events around the world as well as online at www.ironmanstore.com and at www.zootsports.com

TAMPA, Fla. / KAILUA-KONA, Hawai`i (October 21, 2024) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – IRONMAN is pleased to announce a four-year global partnership with Zoot Sports, a worldwide leader in technical triathlon and cycling apparel products and acclaimed brand within the triathlon community.

As part of the new multi-year partnership agreement, Zoot will become the exclusive triathlon and cycling apparel partner for all owned IRONMAN^® and IRONMAN^® 70.3^® events globally beginning in 2025. The partnership will see the creation of co-branded, innovative, vibrant, and performance-focused collections which will be available at IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events around the world. Exclusive collections will be available online at www.ironmanstore.com and at www.zootsports.com as well as through the IRONAMN registration platform for the 2025 season events and beyond.

With shared Hawaiian roots, Zoot was founded in Kona back in 1983 in response to the growing interest in triathlon on the island, thanks of course to the IRONMAN World Championship triathlon. From creating the first triathlon-specific racesuit, Zoot has grown to be a global premier endurance sports brand and is distributed worldwide. Zoot continues to draw on its history in the sport and its athletes to deliver the most comprehensive, technologically advanced, and complete multisport product line in the world. Zoot is already much loved by IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 athletes, with sponsored professional athletes currently including Sam Long (USA), Ellie Salthouse (AUS), Holly Lawrence (GBR), Matt Hanson (USA), Jakie Hering (USA), and Lauren Brandon (USA).

Jennifer Mocerino, Chief Merchandise Officer for IRONMAN, said: “We are delighted to welcome Zoot Sports onboard as the exclusive triathlon and cycling apparel partner for our Global IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon events. With a shared heritage in Kona, and an athlete-first approach, Zoot is a trusted brand in the triathlon community. We are looking forward to collaborating with the Zoot team on innovative products for training and racing.”

“We are excited to once again be part of the IRONMAN family and are looking forward to providing the incredible IRONMAN athletes with not only the best performing, but also the best looking apparel at these premier triathlon events” said Doug Vargo, Zoot CEO.

“For over 40 years, Zoot has focused on performance-driven apparel, always putting athletes first. As a global partner of IRONMAN, we’re proud to support athletes worldwide with the most innovative gear to help them achieve their personal best,” said Shawn O’Shea, Zoot Brand Manager. “It’s an honor to support athletes as they push their limits and redefine what’s possible.”

For more information on Zoot, visit www.zootsports.com. For more information on the IRONMAN brand and global event series, visit www.ironman.com.

For IRONMAN media requests, please e-mail: press@ironman.com.

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About Zoot Sports

Founded in 1983, in Kona, Hawaii, the home of the IRONMAN World Championship triathlon, Zoot Sports has been committed to empowering triathletes with innovative apparel designed for performance and comfort for over four decades. Zoot is not just a manufacturer of high-performance triathlon apparel and wetsuits but a pioneer in the industry. With an unwavering commitment to innovation, they strive to provide athletes with the gear they need to not just perform, but excel, no matter the distance or conditions.

About the IRONMAN World Championship

Since its inception in 1978 on the Island of O`ahu, the IRONMAN World Championship<sup>®</sup> triathlon has etched its name in history through stellar performances, inspirational participants and emotional memories. In 1981, the race moved from the tranquil shores of Waikīkī to the barren lava fields of Kona on the Island of Hawai`i. The most iconic one-day sporting event in the world is the culmination of 40 global IRONMAN events with over 94,000 athletes around the world striving for one of the coveted qualifying slots. The 2021 edition of the event took place in St. George, Utah in May 2022, becoming the first location to host the event outside of Hawai`i since its origins in 1978. After a two-year hiatus from Hawai`i due to COVID, the race returned to Kailua-Kona in 2022 and for the first time took place as a two-day event. The 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship race continued with the two-day format but with two different host locations and dates (Nice, France in September and Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i in October), to allow for a dedicated world championship race for women and dedicated world championship race for men. The cumulative event hosted over 4,000 athletes embarking on a 140.6-mile journey that presents the ultimate test of body, mind, and spirit to earn the title of IRONMAN World Champion. In 2024, the women will rotate to Nice, France while the men return to Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i for their respective world championship host locations. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/im-world-championship.

About The IRONMAN Group

The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN^® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll^® Running Series, IRONKIDS^®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf^®, UTMB^® World Series trail-running events including the Canyons Endurance Runs™ by UTMB^®, Tarawera Ultra-Trail™ by UTMB^® and Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB^®, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic^®, road cycling events, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world, providing participants the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz^® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN^® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE^® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business, and Orkila Capital, a growth equity firm focused on building great brands. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.

About Advance

Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 14,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Warner Bros. Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com.