Sarah Haskins and Javier Gomez Lead Race to the Toyota Cup After 2012 Season Debut

CHANHASSEN, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Sunday, April 1, marked the start of the Race to the Toyota Cup at the Nautica South Beach Triathlon in Miami Beach.

Within the female professional division, defending female champion, Sarah Haskins (USA) outlasted Annabel Luxford (AUS) and Alicia Kaye (CAN) to win the first race of the seven-event Series. Haskins completed the course in 2:00:13. Among the male professionals, Javier Gomez, held off Ben Collins (USA) and Bevan Docherty (NZL) to capture the victory. Gomez's time was 1:47:33.

The Series now moves on to the Capital of Texas Triathlon, which is set for Monday, May 28 in Austin.

2012 Toyota Cup Top Five Standings as of April 2, 2012
Female Professional Division:						Male Professional Division:
Name (Country)						Name (Country)
1. Sarah Haskins (USA)		10.5				1. Javier Gomez (ESP)		10.5
2. Annabel Luxford (AUS)		9.0				2. Ben Collins (USA)		9.5
3. Alicia Kaye (CAN)		8.5				3. Bevan Docherty (NZL)		8.0
4. Lauren Goss (USA)		7.5				4. Cameron Dye (USA)		7.0
5. Jenna Parker (USA)		6.0				5. Francesco Godoy (ESP)		6.0

The total 2012 Race to the Toyota Cup professional division includes $574,000 in cash prizes, awards and a Toyota Vehicle. The vehicle and coveted Toyota Cup are given to the top female and male champions at the Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon in Dallas, which serves as the Series finale championship.

The professional division also awards 0.5 points to the fastest swim, cycle and run legs at each event. In the female professional division, American and defending Toyota Cup Champion, Sara Haskins, boasted the fastest swim with a time of 22:05, while Kaye turned in the fastest bike with a time of 57:47. Goss turned in the fastest run with a time of 36:36.

On the professional men's side, Dustin McLarty secured the fastest swim with a time of 20:18, while Collins turned in the fastest bike with a time of 51:14. Gomez turned in the fastest run with a time of 31:21.

As the 2012 Race to the Toyota Cup progresses, participant results and current point standings will be made available at racetothetoyotacup.com, the official website of the Race to the Toyota Cup.

About the Race to the Toyota Cup
Since 2006, the Race to the Toyota Cup has connected some of the most prominent international-distance triathlon events in the United States. Throughout the series, the world's top professional triathletes battle for points and a chance to win the coveted Toyota Cup. In 2012, the Race to the Toyota Cup consists of seven events, including: the April 1 Nautica South Beach Triathlon (Miami); the May 28 Capital of Texas Triathlon (Austin); the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon June 24; the July 14 Life Time Tri Minneapolis ; the Life Time Tri Chicago August 26; the Herbalife Triathlon Los Angeles September 30; and the October 7 Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon (Dallas). For more information on the Race to the Toyota Cup visit www.racetothetoyotacup.com.

About Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion. Established in 1957, TMS markets products and services through a network of nearly 1,500 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers which sold more than 1.76 million vehicles in 2010. Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 people in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyota.com or http://www.toyotanewsroom.com.

About Life Time Fitness, Inc.
As The Healthy Way of Life Company, Life Time Fitness LTM helps organizations, communities and individuals achieve their total health objectives, athletic aspirations and fitness goals by engaging in their areas of interest — or discovering new passions — both inside and outside of Life Time's distinctive and large sports, professional fitness, family recreation and spa destinations, most of which operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Company's healthy way of life approach enables customers to achieve this by providing the best programs, people and places of exceptional quality and value. As of March 17, 2012, the Company operated 96 centers under the LIFE TIME FITNESS® and LIFE TIME ATHLETIC(SM) brands in the United States and Canada. Life Time also operated seven additional acquired facilities, which are in transition to become Life Time centers. More information about Life Time centers, programs and services is available at lifetimefitness.com.

About MESP
Since 1986, MESP, Inc. has been a leader in lifestyle sports marketing for over 25 years. As a full service marketing and production company, MESP, Inc. has consistently delivered top quality events to athletes across the country. MESP, Inc. produces events such as the Nautica Malibu Triathlon, Nautica South Beach Triathlon, the Day at the Beach Triathlon, the Merrell Down & Dirty National Mud and Obstacle Series presented by Subaru, and many more. MESP strives to produce events with a festive atmosphere that make a difference in people's lives. Through its properties, MESP has raised over 8 million dollars for various charities.

About Nautica
Founded in 1983, Nautica® is a leading global lifestyle brand ranging from men's, women's and children's apparel and accessories to a complete home collection. Nautica® products are refined casual classics inspired and energized by the water that are always crisp, clean and distinct. Today Nautica® is available in more than 60 countries with more than 200 Nautica® branded stores worldwide. In 2003, the Company was acquired by VF Corporation, a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel with more than 30 brands, including Wrangler, The North Face, Lee, Vans, Nautica, 7 For All Mankind, Eagle Creek, Eastpak, Ella Moss, JanSport, lucy, John Varvatos, Kipling, Majestic, Napapijri, Red Kap, Reef, Riders, Splendid, Smartwool® and Timberland®. For additional information, please go to www.nautica.com and www.vfc.com.