HOUSTON, TX - LA JOLLA, CA - March 19, 2003 - USA FIT, which operates one of the most successful marathon training programs for runners and walkers in 45 cities across the U.S., Canada and Europe, has partnered with Active.com (www.active.com) to offer online registration for its running and walking training programs. As part of the exclusive agreement, Active.com will host interactive USA FIT training programs on TrainingBible.com (www.trainingbible.com ).
Best known for its motto, "Finish a Marathon - Change Your Life," Houston-based USA FIT has trained more than 60,000 walkers and runners of all ability levels through a unique fitness and self-discovery program. USA FIT operates through a team of nearly 3,000 coaches and organizers to administer its six-month training program. City programs meet once a week and include group runs, seminars, coaching, training schedules, a training log and training apparel.
According to USA FIT founder Denis Calabrese, partnering with Active.com offers numerous benefits for USA FIT members. "Active.com is one of the most popular Web sources for race information and registration, with a reach that extends to millions of participants. Combine this with the company's close relationships with more than 10,000 event organizers, and you can see the significance of the partnership," explained Calabrese. "Partnering with Active.com allows us to enhance our programs using the latest technology while extending our reach to millions of athletes and thousands of race organizers. When athletes register for a race at Active.com, they will have the option of joining a USA FIT training program at the time they register and will be able to choose an online program with interactive features to track their progress."
To register online for USA FIT programs, participants can visit www.usafit.com.
Lynn Flanagan, founder and president of event marketing and management firm, In Motion, Inc., added, "Since 1995, we have helped over 8,000 people in California reach their goal of completing a marathon through our USA FIT training programs. The USA FIT programs are now available in cities across the country and online. These programs are so popular because they offer structured training, group camaraderie, informational and inspirational seminars and social activities. As an event producer with some of the largest running events in the U.S., we have also worked with Active.com for online registration." In Motion produces three of the top 100 largest road races in the U.S., including the San Diego Marathon.
USA FIT's new online training program will be available at www.active.com or www.trainingbible.com . The online training program will be based on the core principles of the USA FIT program, and will offer easy-to-use interactive tools to schedule workouts, build training plans, track and log workouts, record progress or even upload information to heart monitors.
"USA FIT brings a track record of proven success and now Active's users will have direct access to one of the industry's most successful and motivating marathon training programs," said Donavon Guyot, technical business development director, The Active Network. "We've combined USA FIT's strong knowledge of personalized and hands-on running programs with our ability to deliver best-of-breed, Web-based tools like TrainingBible.com. We believe there is significant interest among race organizers to provide opportunities like this to the people that train and race in their events."
Active.com (www.active.com) is part of The Active Network, Inc., a company that specializes in participatory sports and recreation by providing data management, transaction processing and marketing services to organizers and participants. Active.com offers one of the Web's best resources to find, learn about and register for events in multiple participatory sports. The site also offers one-stop, event management services for event organizers (www.active.com/onestopshop). For more information about The Active Network and its properties, visit www.theactivenetwork.com.
USA FIT is a running and walking training program founded in 1989 and now operating 45 programs in the U.S., Canada and Europe. USA FIT's motto is "Finish a Marathon - Change Your Life." The six-month program is designed to get participants of all ability levels into the best shape of their lives, using an effective training schedule, group training runs, motivation, education and camaraderie. USA FIT members range from first-time walkers and joggers to age-group champions and Boston Marathon qualifying runners. USA FIT provides a positive, non-intimidating training environment for anyone who wants to explore his or her potential as an athlete and as a person. For more information, visit www.usafit.com.