NEWARK, N.J., Sept. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic, a leader in high-performance, rugged consumer products, announced today a multi-event sponsorship of the 2014 US Spartan Race Series beginning this weekend at the Spartan Race World Championship in Killington, Vermont.  Panasonic will have awards sponsorship of the short-course sprint event in Vermont and official sponsorship of the Dunk Obstacle featured in the main-event – the Reebok Spartan Beast World Championship – as well as other on-site activities.

Panasonic will highlight its cutting-edge line of adventure products at the Spartan Race events including its new rugged A500 4K Wearable Camcorder and line of LUMIX Tough Cameras as well as fitness-focused water-resistant headphones. Spartan Elite athletes Brad Fredricks and Rob Barger will compete in this weekend's World Championship wearing the Panasonic A500 4K Camcorder capturing footage of the race from his unique point of view in stunning Ultra HD resolution.  To learn more about Panasonic's line of featured Adventure products, visit www.panasonic.com/spartan.

The overall sponsorship includes four races:

• Vermont Spartan (Killington, VT) – September 20-21
• Van Vleck Ranch Spartan (Rancho Murietta, CA) – October 25
• Fenway Park Spartan (Boston, MA) – November 15
• Calamigos Ranch Spartan (Malibu, CA) – December 6-7

In addition to official race and course obstacle sponsorship, Panasonic will also capture on-course 4K video of participants at the Dunk Obstacle as well as at the Finish Line at the 360 Victory Video Booth.   Panasonic will also have its line of Adventure products on display at the Spartan Festival at each venue. 

"Panasonic Adventure is proud to partner with Spartan to sponsor such a unique series of events that challenge and inspire fitness," said Gene Kelsey, Vice President of Adventure Products, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company.  "Spartan athletes are the ideal consumers for our line of cutting-edge Adventure products designed for consumers who want to capture their unique experiences and enhance their lives."

To celebrate the sponsorship, Panasonic is also launching the Panasonic Watch Me Go Giveaway where consumers can enter win one of three Panasonic Adventure Packs including the A500 Wearable 4K Camcorder, the LUMIX TS5 Tough Camera, Bone Conduction Headphones and Panasonic Ear Clip headphones.  For official rules and to learn more, visit www.panasonicadventure.com.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company

Based in Newark, NJ, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation. The company offers a wide range of consumer solutions in the U.S. including products from VIERA Life+ Screens, Blu-ray players, LUMIX Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Home Audio, Cordless Phones, Home Appliances, Beauty, Grooming, Wellness and Personal Care products and more. In Interbrand's 2014 annual "Best Global Green Brands" report, Panasonic ranked number five overall and the top electronics brand in the report.To learn more about our products, visit www.panasonic.com. Follow Panasonic on Twitter @panasonicUSA; additional company information for journalists is also available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

About Spartan Race Inc.

Spartan Race, Inc., voted Outside Magazine's Best Obstacle Race, is the world's leading obstacle racing series. With over 130 events in 17 countries planned for 2014, Spartan Race continues to make obstacle racing one of the fastest growing sports in the world. The Reebok Spartan Race global race series features races at three distances, 3+Mile/15+ Obstacle Sprint, 8+ Mile/20+ Obstacle Super and 12+ Mile/ 25+ Obstacle Beast, culminating each year in the Spartan World Championship, which in 2014 will be held in Killington, Vt. on September 20. With competitive Elite heats and Open heats for all fitness levels, Reebok Spartan Races offer something for everyone. The Spartan lifestyle continues its goal of ripping people off their couches and helping them lead happier, healthier and more productive lives.

Log onto http://www.spartan.com for more information, a schedule of events and to register for a race.

SOURCE Panasonic