SmartWool Announces Platinum Sponsorship of 08 USA Trail Championship

SmartWool Corporation, the leading brand of Merino wool apparel, accessories and socks, is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the 2008 USA Trail Championships held in Steamboat Springs on June 29, 2008. This event marks the second consecutive year SmartWool has sponsored the event.

“As leaders in the outdoor market, we are thrilled to be a part of an event like the USA Trail Championships,” stated Rob Shoaf, SmartWool’s field marketing manager. “The competition will be fierce, the Howelsen Hill course will be grueling; making this event the perfect opportunity for us to showcase our Merino wool performance clothing as it stands up to the demands of world-class athletes.”

“As the only USA Track and Field (USATF) Championship event in the Rocky Mountain region in 2008, this is the premier running event for Colorado this year and we couldn’t be happier that SmartWool is once again our Platinum sponsor,” explained race director John Chapman. “There’s no doubt this event will draw the top runners in the nation who will compete for USATF national championship awards, more than $ 5,000 in prize money and numerous other prizes, including Vasque trail running shoes and SmartWool® running apparel.”

This year’s event is sanctioned by the USATF and will be held at Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs on June 29th at 8:30 a.m. This event is open to both USATF and non-USATF runners. The format is similar to a cross country championship event in that this mountain course is four kilometers long with approximately 805 vertical feet of climbing. The men will run three loops (12 km) while the women and juniors will run two loops (8 km).

“This is not an easy course, and will require some true grit for the top competitors to run the entire course, including a climb straight up the Howelsen Hill ski area on each lap,” said Adam Feerst, assistant race director. “This is not a road race. It’s a true mountain race, with steep climbs and descents, a few flat sections, and a mix of smooth and technical footing – all the aspects of trail running that make this sport so much fun.”

Online registration is $25 per person until June 21, 2008, or $35 per person until the morning of the race. Entry fees include a SmartWool® running shirt with a retail value of $65, a post race buffet provided by Qdoba and live music. For more information or to register log onto http://www.runningseries.com/races/championships.php or Active.com.

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ABOUT SMARTWOOL: SmartWool® is a leading performance brand offering wool-based apparel, socks and accessories. Nothing can compare to SmartWool® products for the ultimate in performance, comfort and easy care. SmartWool® fiber is superior at vaporizing moisture, controlling temperature and odor and is guaranteed not to shrink. It’s also a renewable resource that illustrates the design genius of evolution. For information on the full range of SmartWool® products or to find a dealer near you, please log onto SmartWool’s award winning website: www.SmartWool.com. SmartWool Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Timberland Company.