A sports travel company which has links with the Tour de France and marathons around the world has acquired a US counterpart.
Manchester-based Destination Sport Experiences has snapped up Marathon Tours & Travel for an undisclosed sum.
The buyer is part of the Portman Travel Group, which is also based in Manchester, and whose companies also include Clarity Sports, SportsBreaks.com and Amaze.
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Marathon Tours & Travel was founded in 1979 by Thom Gilligan who will become its chairman.
The Boston-based company is the official North American travel agency for many of the world's most popular running events including the BAA Boston Marathon, TCS London Marathon, TCS New York City Marathon and Antarctica Marathon.
Mr Gilligan said: "It is an exciting time for not only Marathon Tours & Travel, but also the thousands of global clients we service daily through travelling and running, as well through our Seven Continents Club, the only frequent traveller club for endurance event participants.
"We now have the opportunity to help even more runners and their travel companions accomplish their adventure travel goals, while continuing to offer exceptional experiences at an excellent value."
Brendan Fox, managing director of DSE, added: "Marathon Tours & Travel is by far the best travel company in the mass participation marketplace.
"Thom, Jeff Adams and the fantastic MTT team have built an amazing brand. Our new and exciting partnership will help additional runners, cyclists and triathletes travel to more events across the world, giving them the high-quality service MTT customers have experienced over all these decades."
