Posted: May 1, 2005

Triathlon: Health 2000 Announces Sponsorship of Cameron Brown

New Zealand’s leading provider of natural health products, Health 2000 Health stores, today announced the sponsorship of the country’s most celebrated Ironman triathlete, Cameron Brown.

Brown leaves next week for Europe where he will prepare for Ironman Germany triathlon in July, rated the second most prestigious Ironman behind the World Championships in Hawaii.

The 32-year-old, who became the first person to win Ironman New Zealand five times, believes his record-breaking performance at Taupo in March has him back on track after an indifferent performance in Hawaii last year.

His new coaching association with Brendon Cameron, who guided the fortunes of Athens gold medalist Sarah Ulmer, and now the new major sponsorship with Health 2000 have come at the perfect time.

“This is a really big year for me. I’ve been runner-up at Ironman Germany for the past two years and believe I can go one better against a really strong field. Then I am out to make amends at the World Championships in Hawaii in October. After Ironman New Zealand I feel like I’m back on track for another podium finish and hopefully that elusive number one sport,” says Brown.

“Health 2000 is a natural fit for me. Most people don’t realise that sports nutrition, health supplements and vitamins & minerals are a key element of any world class athlete’s success formula. Now I am able to pick and choose products from a variety of brands and have the best of the best.”

Well-known triathlon commentator Ian Hepenstall believes the sponsorship sends a positive signal to other Kiwi Ironman athletes.

“Cameron has placed on the podium at the Ironman Triathlon World Championships three years in a row up to 2003. He showed at Taupo that he has not only returned to his best but raised the bar again, and working with Brendon Cameron and his other coaches is a big plus.

"This is not a sport of riches, so this sponsorship is vital. It will allow Cameron to concentrate fully on preparing for Germany and Hawaii, and leave no stone unturned in that preparation. I believe that Cameron has everything it takes to once again put New Zealand on the world stage when he competes in Hawaii.”

According to Health 2000 Group General Manager Lyle Hastings, Cameron will be the face for Health 2000 Health stores and our new concept `Health 2000 Sportzone’ – a specially designed store-within-store concept and website dedicated to focusing on sports nutrition and weight loss.

“This will take the company’s already superior health offering to a new level – especially as we roll out the ‘Health 2000 Sportzone’ concept to a number of the company’s 71 stores around the country,” says Lyle Hastings.

“Cameron represents the ultimate athlete – determined, successful and world class. He is well respected and a great family person. We are delighted that Cameron has agreed to represent Health 2000 Sportzone.”

The professional triathlete will be the face for the company’s television commercial due to be launched later this year.

About Health 2000

Health 2000 has an extensive range of natural health products available in 71 stores around New Zealand. The outlets have a broad selection of vitamins & minerals, sports nutrition, weight loss, natural skin care & makeup, herbal remedies, homeopathy and aromatherapy.

www.health2000.co.nz

About Cameron Brown

Cameron Brown claimed his fifth consecutive Ironman New Zealand title in March this year, only the second athlete in the world to achieve such a distinction at Ironman, and has placed 2nd and twice 3rd at the IronmanTriathlon World Championships in Hawaii.

In his lead up to Ironman Germany (10 July ) Cameron is training about 6-7 hours per day. This includes up to 20-25km swimming, 500-700km Km’s cycling and 110-130km running in a week.