Competitor Group Inc., which owns the popular Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon series of long-distance running events that started in San Diego in 1998, has informed the state that it plans to lay off up to 145 local workers effective Nov. 15, as its new parent company moves personnel to its global headquarters in Florida.
Competitor Group filed the notice with the state Employment Development Department on July 31. Tampa, Fla.-based Ironman, which operates long-distance triathlons and related endurance competitions worldwide, announced in June that it had acquired Competitor Group for an undisclosed price.
Ironman recently announced that all core business functions for its family of brands, including the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon series, will be housed in Tampa. However, the new owner plans to maintain an organizational presence in San Diego, though the size has not been disclosed.
“The city of San Diego will continue to play a strategic role in the company’s regional structure with a local office supporting the company’s events in the Southwest,” Ironman officials said in a statement.
The Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon started in San Diego and subsequently grew to 22 U.S. cities and eight countries.
Ironman officials said Competitor Group oversees a total of 30 events globally, involving more than 600,000 athletes annually. Ironman operates more than 200 events across 50 countries, including more than 20 running races.
