Foster Grant is the Title Sponsor of the 2008 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3

 

Smithfield, RI (November 10th, 2008)

 

Saturday, November 8th marked the running of the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 in Clearwater, Florida. The event, in its third year, took athletes on a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike and a 13.1-mile run. Nearly 1,250 athletes entered the water with participants ranging in age from 18 years old to 79 years old. A prize purse totaling $100,000 prize purse was up for grabs, with Terenzo Bozzone and Joanna Zieger winning the men's and women's races, respectively.

Additionally, there were several inspirational age group athletes including:

· Ricky James, 20, who was involved in a motocross accident four years ago that left him paralyzed. After bike modifications, he has continued racing on the motocross scene and celebrated a World Championship finish today crossing the line in his handcycle with a time of 5 hours, 30 minutes and 27 seconds.

· Bob Purrington, 46, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2002, showcased his determination to continue leading an active lifestyle, with an overall time of 6 hours, 33 seconds and 17 seconds.

· Team Hoyt, a father-and-son team that have completed hundreds of endurance events including Hawaii’s Ironman World Championship and the Boston Marathon, ignited overwhelming emotion when they crossed the line in a time of 8 hours, 14 minutes and 36 seconds.

Foster Grant also participated in the athlete expo on Pier 60 in Clearwater between November 5th and November 7th, displaying its 2009 collection of Foster Grant sunglasses. 

"With the sun shining in Clearwater nearly 360 days a year, it is natural that the maker of Ironman sunglasses title this great event" says Bill Potts, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, Ironman.

FGXI President. Jack Flynn added, “The team at Ironman has been a great partner to us and this event is sure to be exciting and prosperous for years to come.”

The 2008 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 broadcast will air on NBC on Saturday, April 12, 2009 from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. EST. Please check your local listings for specific details.

FGX International, the parent company for the Foster Grant brand, is a leading designer and marketer of non-prescription reading glasses, sunglasses and costume jewelry.  Their portfolio of established, well-recognized brands includes Foster Grant, as well as Magnivision, Anarchy, Angel and Gargoyles.  FGXI also has licenses in certain product categories from Ironman, Levi Strauss, Body Glove and C9 by Champion. Based in Smithfield, Rhode Island, FGXI has approximately 300 full-time employees.  Additional offices are located in New York, Toronto, Stoke-on-Trent, England, Mexico City, Bentonville, AR and Shenzhen, China.

For additional information contact: 

Sal Siano
Phone:  (401) 719-2160
E-mail:  ssiano@fgxi.com