Steamboat Springs, CO, January 23, 2020 —Honey Stinger, the honey-focused sports nutrition brand, has partnered with Spartan, the world’s largest obstacle race and endurance brand, as the official on-course energy partner and official gel partner of the 2020 Spartan US race series.
Through the partnership, Honey Stinger will provide nutrition support across the full lineup of Spartan US events, encompassing more than 65 races throughout the country over the course of the year. The company will provide its signature Organic Waffles at branded ‘Fuel Station’ tents at the start line of each event to help athletes elevate their performance on race day, and will offer additional on-course nutrition support —including Energy Gels, Organic Energy Chews and Waffles — at all ‘Beast.’ ‘Super’ and ‘Ultra’ races, giving competitors an extra boost through the series’ most demanding events.
“Spartan athletes demand clean products to fuel their training and racing routines, which makes Honey Stinger a natural partner,” said Spartan VP of Global Partnerships Ian Lawson. “We’re excited to work with a brand that is so closely aligned with our nutritional values and satisfies the needs of our endurance athletes, and we look forward to seeing Honey Stinger’s Fuel Station at the start line and on course.”
The brand will have an expanded presence at select events, and has signed on as the presenting sponsor for two: the Spartan Big Bear Ultra, Beast and Super Weekend event in Big Bear Lake, Calif. May 16 -17, and Spartan Palmerton Super and Sprint Weekend event in Palmerton, Pa. July 11-12.
In addition, Honey Stinger is pleased to announce the signing of champion Spartan racer Nicole Mericle as the brand’s newest Hive Platinum athlete. Nicole is a five-time obstacle course racing world champion, and the current Spartan world champion.
A former NCAA Division I cross-country and track and field athlete at Rice University, and an Olympic trials qualifier in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Mericle began her career in obstacle course racing (OCR) in 2016. She found immediate success, winning the US OCR Championship in both the 3K and 15K events in 2017, as well as the OCR World 3K Championship and Tough Mudder World Championship. After repeating as the 3K OCR World Champion in 2018, last year she earned the women’s victory at both the Spartan Race World Championship and Spartan Trifecta Championship.
“As an elite athlete, I know just how important optimal nutrition is – especially on race day,” said Mericle. “Honey Stinger products have been central to my fueling strategy for both training and racing, and will be a key factor in my performances this year, giving me the edge I need when it matters most.”
Mericle will kick off a packed 2020 OCR race season at the Spartan Jacksonville Super and Sprint Weekend on Feb. 22 in Jacksonville, Fla. She will also be on-site at the Spartan Big Bear event presented by Honey Stinger in May, and is set to compete in numerous championship-level obstacle racing events this year, including the Spartan North American Championship, OCR World Championships, Trifecta World Championships and Spartan Race World Championship.
“Whether newcomer or elite, we have always tried to support the Spartan athletes,” said Mike Keown, CEO of Honey Stinger. “We are excited to take that to a new level this year, with broad support across the US race series, as well as one of the top performers in the sport – Nicole Mericle.”
The 2020 Spartan race action kicks off on Jan. 25 at the SoCal Super and Sprint Weekend event in Chino, Calif. For a complete list of Spartan US events, please visit spartan.com.
