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The Virgin brand has long been a household name and it seems there is a Virgin brand for almost every aspect of our life. But there’s always room for one more. Sir Richard Branson announced that he will be adding a new brand to his global empire with Virgin Sport, a new venture aimed at catering to our sporting goals.
Virgin Sport will encourage the public to pursue fitness challenges through running and cycling events and programmes. It will initially launch in the UK then Branson will set his sights on further territories in the United States, South Africa and Australia.
Branson is certainly no stranger to the fitness industry; his Virgin Active gyms have been gathering across the globe since 1998. Virgin Group has also been a long-standing sponsor for the London Marathon, arguably the biggest sporting event in Britain. Having demonstrated no shortage of passion for fitness, Branson is now embarking on the challenge of inspiring millions of people to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle with Virgin Sport.
In his announcement of the new fitness brand, he recalled the incredible high that he felt when pedalling through the Cape Argus Cycle Tour and described how he pushed his physical and mental limits through this challenge. “The camaraderie and spirit of the journey that comes with these types of events is incredibly rousing and motivating. At Virgin Sport we want to help more people experience this elation and feeling of achievement,” stated Branson.
Virgin Group plans to inspire the nation by operating high-energy events in running and cycling, whilst encouraging participants to raise money for charity. Branson is clearly hoping to hit the ground running; he has invited Mary Wittenberg to head up Virgin Sport as CEO and help change the game in health and wellness. Wittenberg will bring expertise and experience from ten years as the CEO of New York Road Runners and the overseeing of a number of high-profile sporting events, including the New York Marathon.
Branson has recognised the growing awareness of a healthy lifestyle and aims to inspire the nation to push themselves in fitness challenges. “As the world is becoming more health conscious, and is gaining a better understanding of the importance of exercise, Virgin Sport will support people of all shapes and sizes to push the boundaries of what’s expected of them, live life to the fullest, and strive for greatness,” Branson enthused. 
