Columbia Sportswear will become the title sponsor of the popular Muddy Buddy Ride & Run Series. The agreement includes naming rights of the 18-event Columbia Muddy Buddy Series, as well as the Columbia Mini Muddy Buddy and designates Columbia as the exclusive apparel and footwear sponsor.
Columbia Muddy Buddy Ride & Run events are adventure races that require two-person teams to navigate a six to seven-mile mountain bike and trail-running course containing five obstacles. Each event's signature finale involves both teammates belly-crawling through a 60-foot-long mud pit before crossing the finish line. Kids between the ages of 4 and 13 can also join in the fun as a part of the Columbia Mini Muddy Buddy in which they complete a short obstacle course and slither through the same mud pit as the grown-ups.
The 10-year-old Muddy Buddy Series, which has become known for eccentric costumes and entertaining post race festivities, hosts between 900 and 1,800 two-person teams at each event and has responded to this growing popularity by expanding from 8 to 18 events over the last three years.
“Columbia has a strong affinity with outdoor enthusiasts and we're thrilled to be the title sponsor of the Muddy Buddy Series,” said Linda Reese, director of marketing communications of Columbia Sportswear. “Muddy Buddy provides a national platform to communicate our brand proposition to consumers while promoting a fun outdoor adventure race for all abilities. Muddy Buddy events are also great opportunities for Columbia to partner with key outdoor retailers to help build their business in the local community, while creating increased exposure for the Columbia brand.”
