Pilot Flying J, as part of its commitment to trucker health, is teaming up with Truckers to Triathletes (T2T) — a group of professional drivers committed to completing triathlon events — to support Revolution3 Triathlon as the presenting sponsor of five Rev3 Triathlons in 2012, as well as the official sponsor of four more events.
“Pilot Flying J has a long history of support for health and a vigorous lifestyle, but our reputation didn’t extend outside of our hometown of Knoxville, TN,” said Dave Parmly, manager of employee services for Pilot Flying J. “During the three races we sponsored in 2011, we met many fiercely loyal Pilot Flying J customers who travel all over the U.S. to participate in Rev3 Triathlons and who told us they appreciated our support for better wellness. We are excited to expand the promotion of fitness and healthy living for our employees as well as customers where they live, work and travel.”
“When we heard about Truckers to Triathletes, we wanted to get our professional driver customers involved,” Parmly said. “We were thrilled to find that Truckers to Triathletes were people who overcame obstacles that all drivers face, meeting the challenges of both their profession and the sport of triathlons."
Pilot Flying J plans to use the Rev3 Triathlon on July 8, in Portland, OR, to kick off a training plan designed to meet professional drivers’ fitness needs. The training will culminate when the T2T team participates in the Rev3 race in Anderson, S.C., this October. During the training period, Pilot Flying J is working with T2T to develop ideas and strategies that the partner organizations hope to share with more professional truckers in the future
“Professional drivers, who are the backbone of our customer base, are under pressure to improve their health so that they can stay on the job,” said Ken Parent, senior vice president of travel center operations for Pilot Flying J. “Pilot Flying J is driven to be the customer’s number-one choice, and we are stepping up to show our customers and employees that we support healthy choices and healthy activities – from inside our stores and restaurants as we highlight healthier food choices, to outside of our retail locations by partnering with Rev3.”
The truck stop operator has already begun developing information and products that reflect the unique health concerns of professional drivers when they stop in a travel center or travel plaza.
“Rev3 fills a gap that exists in many triathlon races: it understands the need for total wellness and family participation,” said Eric Opdyke, race director for Revolution3. “In partnering with Pilot Flying J, we hope to spread the message that competing in a triathlon is a great way to get in shape and is something that everyone can do. Even better, organizations like ‘Truckers-To-Triathletes’ are sending the message straight to many of Pilot Flying J’s driver customers that not only can you participate in this sport, we will get behind you to encourage it.”
For more information or to register for a Rev3 event, visit www.rev3tri.com or e-mail [email protected].
