The Active Network and Gen-A Network Host Local Test Drive to Involve Athlete Input in '2006 Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year' Awards
SAN DIEGO, CA - November 9, 2005 - Elite and recreational runners, mountain bikers, surfers and triathletes from communities throughout San Diego will test drive some of the industry's best vehicles for active lifestyles today through the streets, freeways and trails of San Diego. Hosted by The Active Network and Gen-A Network, creators of the Active Lifestyle Vehicles program (www.ActiveTestDrive.com), today's test drive will offer athletes a chance to give direct input in choosing the winners in the 2006 Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year competition.
The Active Lifestyle Vehicles program showcases the industry's top vehicles for active lifestyle consumers, from sport coupes to full-size sport utility vehicles. This year, San Diego athletes will test drive 16 finalists chosen from a field of 32 entries submitted by 14 auto manufacturers. Cars will be evaluated based on handling, cargo space and special active lifestyle features, including roof racks, bike transport and towing capability. After weighing feedback from athletes and automotive journalists, the top four active lifestyle vehicles will be chosen and presented at this year's San Diego International Auto Show, running December 28, 2005 through January 6, 2006.
"The goal of the Active Lifestyle Vehicles program is to give consumers a voice in designing an active lifestyle vehicle with the best features to support their active lifestyles," explained Jim Woodman, senior vice president of business development for The Active Network, Inc. "By hosting the athlete evaluation portion of the competition, we're helping car manufacturers gain honest, experienced feedback directly from their key target market - active consumers."
Athletes will start their test drives from Active's headquarters, loading the cars with gear and heading out on a 30-minute course featuring a mix of freeway driving, hills, speed bumps and curves.
For more information about the test drive, contact Courtney Gay at 858-964-3814. Information about the Active Lifestyle Vehicle awards can be found at www.ActiveTestDrive.com
About The Active Network, Inc.
Based in San Diego, Calif., The Active Network is the leading online community for active lifestyles and has been a driving force in both automating activity administration and growing participation in recreation and healthy lifestyles. Its Web-based services and software solutions provide organizers automation for information collection, activity registration, facility reservation and fundraising management across markets that include government, park and recreation, golf, sports, non-profit, education and healthcare. Its full-service promotions agency, Active Marketing Group (www.ActiveMarketingGroup.com), delivers integrated consumer promotions that help clients develop authentic relationships with active consumers. Active Marketing Group was recently named among the top ten fastest-growing promotions agencies in the U.S. by PROMO magazine. The company's Web properties Active.com (www.active.com) and eteamz (www.eteamz.com), enhance the participation experience through services that include online search and registration for recreation events, activities, teams, leagues, tournaments, clubs and camps; online donation and fundraising; easy-to-build team and league home pages, online training programs, customized membership programs, health and fitness information, tips and drills from top coaches, and more. Both Web sites have made the Forbes.com "Best of the Web" list for five consecutive years. For more information, please visit call 1-888-543-7223 or visit www.TheActiveNetwork.com.
About Gen-A Network
With 17 publications serving every major market in the U.S., the Gen-A Network is the leading local "voice of authority" for recreational sports and fitness enthusiasts nationwide. Gen-A Network publications have long served as the trusted monthly guide for active, affluent sports participants across the country. Through 1.165 million magazines circulated nationwide every month at over 22,000 distribution points, Gen-A Network publications reach a total readership of 3.32 million active readers each month. These publications are an essential resource for its dedicated and passionate readers who are looking for everything from health and fitness information to new products and upcoming events. For more information, visit www.gen-a.com.