Journey To The Bottom Of The Earth: Vibram® To Send Two Lucky Runners To Compete In 2015 Antarctica Marathon™

Vibram to Provide All-Expense Paid Priceless Experience to Antarctica; Winners to be Announced January 22 during Winter Outdoor Retailer Expo

News provided by

Vibram

Jan 14, 2015, 09:00 ET

CONCORD, Mass., Jan. 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Would you travel 6,500 miles to the coldest, windiest and most remote continent on the planet? What about to run a marathon – 26.2 grueling miles – in a sub-zero degree climate? Interested? Good.

Vibram®, the world's leading high-performance soling brand, today announced, that it will be sending one lucky winner with two all-expenses paid excursions to compete in the 2015 Antarctica Marathon™ presented by Marathon Tours, March 2-15, 2015 – literally and figuratively, at the bottom of the Earth. The winners of the Vibram Antarctica Marathon Sweepstakes will join an exclusive field of approximately 200 participants, who will have the opportunity to join the Seven Continent Club™ by competing in a marathon on all seven continents.

Entry to the Vibram Antarctica Marathon Sweepstakes will kick-off Wednesday, January 14 at VibramAntarcticaMarathon.com. There are no race qualification requirements; however, entrants are strongly encouraged to have marathon and endurance race experience. The winner will be announced via Twitter (@Vibram) and other Vibram social channels at the 2015 Winter Outdoor Retailer Expo on January 22, 2015 at 4:30 PM PT.

"As Your Connection to the Earth, Vibram is thrilled to offer our fans the opportunity to compete in one of the most adventurous marathons in the world," said Allon Cohne, CMO, Vibram. "With more than 70 years of trusted technology and quality behind Vibram soles on their feet, we look forward to being an integral part of our winner's journey to conquer the treacherous terrain of the Antarctica Marathon."

The 26.2-mile Antarctica Marathon course transverses hilly gravel roads of King George Island on the Antarctica Peninsula, where runners will encounter ice, mud and slush. Held at the tail end of the Antarctic summertime, race-day temperatures can range from 15 to 34 degrees Fahrenheit, with wind gusts that can easily reach 40 mph. While exploring the most pristine corner of the planet, runners will come face-to-face with Antarctic gems such as icebergs, penguins, seals and whales.

"The opportunity to compete in the 2015 Antarctica Marathon that Vibram is providing is not only extremely rare, but currently priceless, as our expedition has sustained success over the past 16 years and is presently sold out through 2017," said Thom Gilligan, Marathon Tours. "Once-in-a-lifetime is often an overused term, but this experience is a truly unique opportunity for any passionate runner who wants to challenge themselves both mentally and physically while visiting one of the most amazing places in the world."

Added Gilligan, "We too trust Vibram-soled shoes to provide the support and protection need for such a unique and challenging course."

The winner will receive an all-inclusive trip for two to run in the 2015 Antarctica Marathon, March 9, 2015, including being outfitted with Vibram-soled shoes. The package will include all hotel and transportation, including three days in Buenos Aires, Argentina, transfer flights to Ushuaia, Terria del Fuego, the world's most southernmost city, and two days at sea crossing the Beagle Channel and Drake Passage, some of the roughest seas in the world. Following the race, the winners will spend three days exploring King George Island before returning home. A full itinerary can be found via tour provider Marathon Tours.

Vibram is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor and Official Footwear Sponsor the 2015 Antarctica Marathon, literally bringing its "Your Connection to the Earth" mantra to life. Full sweepstakes terms and conditions can be found on the entry form at VibramAntarcticaMarathon.com. All travel accommodation to be provided by Marathon Tours in partnership with Vibram.

ABOUT VIBRAM:
Headquartered in northern Italy with US offices based in Concord, Mass., Vibram is recognized worldwide as the leader in high performance soles for outdoor, recreational, work and fashion footwear and is relied on by the world's greatest climbers and athletes. In 2006, Vibram introduced its first finished product: Vibram FiveFingers, a revolutionary and patented toe shoe and an unrivaled alternative to conventional footwear.

Vibram is a registered trademark of Vibram S.p.A of Italy. Visit www.vibram.com or www.vibramfivefingers.com for more information.

ABOUT THE ANTARCTICA MARATHON AND HALF MARATHON
The Antarctica Marathon & Half-Marathon's official charity is Oceanites, Inc., a non-profit organization that researches the impact of tourism on Antarctica's environment. Participants have raised over $137,500 on behalf of the organization during the past three years. Another large donation is expected in 2015.

For more information on the Antarctica Marathon, please visit www.antarcticamarathon.com, write to [email protected] or call +1 (617) 242-7845.

SOURCE Vibram