For Immediate Release

March 05, 2009

The Second Annual Nautica South Beach Triathlon Hits Miami on Land and Sea

Celebrities, athletes and local competitors face-off to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

(February 2009) Miami Beach, FL – On Sunday, April 5, 2009, famous faces and determined athletes will meet on the sands of Miami Beach to compete in the Second Annual Nautica South Beach Triathlon, presented by Toyota. This highly anticipated race expects to draw many spectators for the second year in a row to witness the fierce competition, as well as enjoy a fun-filled day on the vibrant beaches of Miami Beach. The Nautica South Beach Triathlon will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, with a portion of the proceeds going directly to pediatric cancer research. Celebrities scheduled to participate include Anna Kournikova, “The Bachelor’s” Andy Baldwin, Six-Time Ironman Champion Dave Scott, Alison Vincent (season 5 winner) and Michelle Aguilar (season 6 winner) from “The Biggest Loser” and many more.

Participants will gather on South Beach before dawn and at 7:15 am will run into the Atlantic for an invigorating half-mile ocean swim, then bike 19 miles over Miami Beach’s causeways with scenic views of the Intracoastal Waterway, downtown Miami and Miami Beach, and conclude with a four mile run alongside Miami Beach’s Art Deco District with a grand finish on the white sands of South Beach.

“The enthusiasm and spirit displayed at last year’s triathlon, combined with the gorgeous weather and beautiful beaches make Miami the perfect city for another Nautica triathlon,” states Karen Murray, President of Nautica®. “We love the drive and camaraderie among celebrities and competitors for which this triathlon is so well known and we are very excited to have everyone come together for a second time.”

Last year’s event raised over $86,000 and participants from all over the world including Aruba, Canada, Mexico, Israel and several parts of the US came to compete. Organizers of the Nautica South Beach Triathlon, the sister event to the popular Nautica Malibu Triathlon, are expecting to raise more than last year and already the sign-up and registration numbers are way above 2008’s numbers at this time.

“We are very excited to bring the event back to Miami Beach. We were overwhelmed with the response in 2008 and are looking forward to creating a South Florida tradition, bringing together athletes from around the globe to swim, bike and run on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world – South Beach!” said Michael Epstein, President of Michael Epstein Productions (MESP). Nautica® has given us the opportunity to really make a difference in people’s lives, getting healthier and raising money for a great cause.”


Weekend Schedule:

Saturday, April 4, 2009 – Beach Expo

1:00pm Registration and Packet Pickup begins
Beach Expo Opens / Interactive Booths Open
Triathlon, Swim, Bike and Nutrition Clinics Begin / Sand Castle Demo Begins
4:00pm Sand Castle Demo Ends
5:00pm Registration and Packet Pick Up ends

Sunday, April 5, 2009 – Race Day

5:30am Packet pickup, Body marking and Transition area opens
6:45am Registration closes
7:00am Pre-race meeting at stage
7:15am Race Start!
8:00am Fun Zone and Nautica Kids Run and Tot Trot registration Opens
9:45am Nautica Kids Run and Tot Trot start
10:00am Celebrity Division Awards Ceremony
10:45am Competitor Awards Ceremony

For more information or to register for the Nautica South Beach Triathlon please visit the website at www.SouthBeachTri.com. Registration is open to all. Racers have the option to compete individually or as part of a relay team. The fee is $95 for individual participants and $135 for three-person relay teams. The race will be limited to 1,500 participants.


ABOUT NAUTICA:
Founded in 1983, Nautica® is a leading global lifestyle brand ranging from men’s, women’s and children’s apparel and accessories to a complete home collection. Nautica® products are refined casual classics inspired and energized by the water that are always crisp, clean and distinct. Today Nautica® is available in more than 64 countries with more than 240 Nautica® branded stores worldwide. In 2003, the Company was acquired by VF Corporation, a world leader in branded apparel, including sportswear, jeanswear, outdoor products, imagewear and contemporary brand products. Its principal brands include Lee®, Wrangler®, John Varvatos®, JanSport®, Eastpak®, The North Face®, Vans®, Napapijri®, Kipling®, Reef®, 7 For All Mankind® and lucy®. For additional information, please go to www.nautica.com and www.vfc.com.

ABOUT ST. JUDE:
St. Jude is unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility anywhere. Discoveries made have completely changed how the world treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is where some of today's most gifted researchers are able to do more science, more quickly. Where doctors across the world send their toughest cases and most vulnerable patients. Where no one pays for treatment beyond what is covered by insurance, and those without insurance are never asked to pay. They have built America's 3rd-largest health-care charity, with a model that keeps the costs down and the funds flowing, so the science never stops. For more information visit www.stjude.org.

ABOUT MESP:
Since 1986, MESP, Inc. has been a leader in lifestyle sports marketing. As a full service marketing and production company, MESP, Inc. has consistently delivered top quality events to athletes across the country. MESP, Inc. has produced events such as the Nautica Malibu Triathlon presented by Toyota, the Arrowhead Day at the Beach Triathlon presented by Toyota, the Muddy Buddy Ride and Run Series and the Hi-Tec Adventure Racing Series. MESP strives to produce events with a festive atmosphere that make a difference in people’s lives and that continually maximize the enjoyment of the athletes, the exposure of the sponsors, and the well being of the community.