AusLeisure

Motiv Sports, which currently operates in over 41 events in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, has announced its entry into the Australian market, which will see it acquire Blackmores Sydney Running Festival organiser Pont3.

Explaining the company’s first major international expansion, Nicole Jarman, Motiv Sports’ Executive Vice President of Operations of Motiv Sports “the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival is an international crown jewel in the running community with over 33,000 runners and competitors coming in from all around the world.

“We are so excited to lend our expertise to support and grow the event to be even bigger and better.”

The Blackmores Sydney Running Festival is an IAAF Gold Label marathon and international competitors compete from all over the world. The festival boasts over 33,000 runners taking to the streets including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishing at the Sydney Opera House.

Pont3 Chief Executive Wayne Larden advised “the global recreational running and marathon tourism market has evolved a lot over the last 10 years, and we’ve seen a significant consolidation of major running events internationally.”

Motiv Sports has acquired 100% ownership of Pont3, and Larden will remain Pont3 Chief Executive and has also been appointed the General Manager of Motiv Sports in Australia to help drive the growth strategy in the region.

Larden advised “a big part of my job now will be to look for other like-minded event owners and organisers to partner with and expand our portfolio in Australia and benefit from all of the efficiencies and opportunities that Motiv Australia presents.”

Athletics Australia, the owners of the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival, are reportedly extremely supportive of the new ownership and have now executed a new 10 year agreement for Pont3 to continue organising the event alongside Motiv Sports.

Athletics Australia Chief Executive Darren Gocher concluded “this is a very exciting collaboration for us.

“The Blackmores Sydney Running Festival is a great event in a stunning location that celebrates the best of participation in athletics, and we look forward to its continued success.”

Founded in 2015, Denver, Colorado, USA-based Motiv Sports has decades of experience in the sport, entertainment and events industry.

Pont3 began in 2005 specifically to organise the Sydney Running Festival, at a time when just 12,000 runners took part.

Pont3 also owns the Real Insurance Sydney Harbour 10k & 5k, and the Tasmanian Running Festival.

The Motiv Sports platform currently consists of 41 triathlon and running events and digital properties with plans to expand into several vertical industries in the outdoor lifestyle space.

For more information go to www.motivrunning.com

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