Posted: February 11, 2004

Triathlon: Janus Renews Sponsorship of US Ironman Events

CLERMONT, Fla. – Ironman North America has announced that Janus Capital Group has renewed its agreement to be the presenting sponsor of the four Ironman triathlon events in the United States for two more years.

Based in Denver, Janus Capital Group is a leading asset manager, offering individual and institutional clients complementary investment disciplines through the firm’s global distribution network.

Janus has been the presenting sponsor of all four Ironman North America U.S. events (Ironman USA Lake Placid, Ironman USA Coeur d’Alene, Ironman Wisconsin and Ironman Florida.) since 2001.

"Our partnership with Janus brings not only tremendous added value to our events, but to our athletes as well," said Ironman North America President Graham Fraser. "Programs such as the Janus Charity Challenge are a perfect example of a true partnership between a sponsor and our events."

As presenting sponsor of Ironman North America events in the United States, Janus hosts the Janus Charity Challenge, a program designed to encourage athletes to use the 2004 Ironman North America events as a way to raise money for their favorite nonprofit organization.

All athletes competing in an Ironman North America full-distance event (U.S. events only) in 2004 can participate in the program and raise money for the nonprofit organization of their choice.

For the top five individual fundraisers at each race, Janus will make an additional donation to their designated charity in the following amounts: First place, $10,000; second place, $8,000; third place, $6,000; fourth place, $4,000; and fifth place, $2,000.

In addition, the first-place fundraiser’s entry fee will be waived for the Ironman North America race of his or her choice within the next 12 months. In addition to its donations to the top five fundraisers’ charities, Janus will contribute $750 to the chosen nonprofit group designated by the next 25 athletes who raise the most money in the Janus Charity Challenge at an Ironman North America U.S. event.

"Ironman North America has become a signature sponsorship for Janus," said Casey Cortese, sponsorship marketing manager. " There is a natural synergy between our two organizations as we both strive to represent the very best in our respective fields. Ironman is very dedicated to the quality of the experience they deliver to the athletes, their families and the communities within which they operate, and Janus seeks to develop programs that do the same. We are proud to continue this strong partnership."

Ironman North America is the premier triathlon event company in the world, hosting seven Ironman and Half Ironman races throughout the U.S. and Canada. Ironman North America is a privately owned company, formed in 1999 and is currently based in Clermont, FL. For more information on Ironman North America events, log onto www.ironmannorthamerica.com.

For more information on Janus Capital Group log onto www.janus.com.