T S Restaurants Partners with XTERRA

Four restaurants named as title sponsors for XTERRA Kapalua Trail Runs

Honolulu, HI - Eat and run will go to a whole new level this October, thanks to a new title sponsorship from T S Restaurants of Hawaii and California.

Four T S Restaurants on the island of Maui have been named as title sponsors for the XTERRA Kapalua Trail Runs, which is scheduled for Saturday, October 22, at Kapalua, Maui.

The four events are now known as:

Hula Grill XTERRA 5K Trail Run
Duke's Beach House XTERRA 10K Trail Run
Kimo's XTERRA Keiki Run
Leilani's XTERRA Run Course and Leilani's Run Prime Awards

"We at T S Restaurants are pleased to support such a world class organization as XTERRA on our home turf in West Maui," said Ross Anderson, Vice President of Hawaii Operations for T S Restaurants. "We feel like our beachfront restaurants are a natural fit for the XTERRA athletes and their families."

These running events will be held in conjunction with the XTERRA World Championship off-road triathlon on Sunday, October 23. After 15 previous years in the Wailea/Makena area, the XTERRA World Championship is moving across the island to Kapalua in 2011, which means these four running events will feature brand new courses in lush, tropical settings.

The XTERRA World Championship is the pinnacle event of more than 100 off-road triathlons held in 14 countries, and brings more than 600 athletes to Maui. Last year's field represented 30 countries and 35 states, and the XTERRA Kapalua Trail Runs offer a chance for everyone to experience the same course as this stellar international field.

"We are thrilled to announce T S Restaurants as the title sponsor for our XTERRA Kapalua Trail Runs," XTERRA President Janet Clark said. "This partnership allows runners from all over the world to compete on a world championship course in a new and unique setting. It is truly a great opportunity for both Maui residents and visitors to the island."

The Hula Grill XTERRA 5K Trail Run and Duke's Beach House XTERRA 10K Trail Run are open to runners of all ages and skill levels, and online registration is available at http://www.xterraplanet.com/maui/mauiTrailRun.html.

This is the first year these trail runs will be staged in Kapalua, and the runners will be treated to picturesque and challenging courses that will take them from the beach, up to the mountains, and back to the beach.

The male and female winners of the Duke's Beach House XTERRA 10K Trail Run will each receive a round-trip airfare to Hawaii from the West Coast, courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines. The male and female winners of the Hula Grill XTERRA 5K Trail Run will each receive a pair of XTERRA footwear. Medals and other prizes will also be awarded to the top age-group finishers in both races.

These two trail runs will also serve as a benefit for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui organization, so every entry makes a difference. In addition, a Paul Mitchell cut-a-thon will be held at the site of the race. Runners and their families can get their hair cut by professional Paul Mitchell stylists, with donations benefitting the Challenged Athlete Foundation.

The Kimo's XTERRA Keiki Run is for boys and girls ages 10 and younger. It is free, although parents must be present to sign a waiver form at the site of the race. Race distances will vary from 100 yards to 1 kilometer, depending on the age of the child. Parents are welcome to stay on the course as well.

The Leilani's XTERRA Run Course will be part of the XTERRA World Championship triathlon. The Leilani's Run Prime Awards will go to the competitors with the fastest times on the Leilani's XTERRA Run Course during the triathlon. Gift certificates from Leilani's restaurant will be awarded to the fastest male and female in three categories - professionals, age-group amateurs, and Maui residents - for a total of six certificates.

At last year's XTERRA World Championship triathlon, French professionals Nicolas Lebrun (men) and Marion Lorblanchet (women) posted the fastest run splits on the 12-kilometer course. Lebrun had a time of 44 minutes, 1 second, while Lorblanchet posted a time of 48:39. The fastest age-group amateurs were Fred Smith of Tennessee and Elizabeth Orchard from Australia, while the fastest Maui-resident competitors were Joseph Alueta of Lahaina and Rebecca Woodburn of Kahului.

Hula Grill, Duke's Beach House, Kimo's and Leilani's are four of Maui's finest restaurants, and all are located within a short driving distance of Kapalua, giving competitors and spectators a variety of dining options.

"The unique feeling and setting of West Maui is exhibited at each of these four restaurants, and it is in keeping with what the XTERRA athletes and their families have come to expect when they get to the island of Maui," XTERRA President Clark said. "Dining at any, or all, of these restaurants can only enhance the experience for our athletes, whether it be eating a pre-race meal or celebrating with a post-race meal."

About T S Restaurants of Hawaii and California
Founded in 1977 by Rob Thibaut and Sandy Saxten, T S Restaurants owns and operates 13 restaurants in Hawaii and California, including Duke's Waikiki and Hula Grill Waikiki on Oahu; Kimo's, Leilani's on the Beach, Hula Grill Kaanapali and Duke's Beach House on Maui; Duke's Kauai and Keoki's Paradise on Kauai; and Jake's Del Mar, Sunnyside Restaurant and Lodge, Sandy's Beach Grill, Duke's Huntington Beach and Duke's Malibu in California.  For more information about T S Restaurants visit www.tsrestaurants.com.

About TEAM Unlimited/XTERRA
TEAM Unlimited is a Hawaii-based television events and marketing company, founded in 1988.  It owns and produces XTERRA and in 2011 will produce nearly 200 XTERRA off-road triathlon and trail running races in 15 countries worldwide. There are 40,000+ competitors from all 50 states and more than 40 countries competing in XTERRA. In addition, TEAM TV has produced more than 300 adventure television shows resulting in three Emmy's and 42 Telly Awards for production excellence. View samples at www.xterra.tv, and learn more at www.xterraplanet.com.

© 2013 TEAM Unlimited LLC