While it may be commonplace for professional triathletes to have corporate sponsors, Bellingham, Wash. based Baker's Breakfast Cookie is offering 24 age-group triathletes the chance to be sponsored from head-to-toe in 2003 as part of the Baker's Breakfast Cookie Amateur Athlete Sponsorship Program.

"We had a very positive response from triathletes last year at races where we sampled. They are craving a product like ours that is healthy, tasty, and is engineered to be a meal," said Bryan Geschwill, president of sales & marketing. "We felt in 2003 we would take our involvement in triathlon to the next level by supporting 24 athletes who are influencers in their geographic region and are passionate about fitness in general and triathlon specifically. We felt this would strongly complement our Baker's Breakfast Cookie Healthy Start Foundation which focuses on the nutritional, economical, and educational needs of underprivileged and malnourished children."

The oatmeal based cookies boast all-natural ingredients with no artificial colors, sweeteners or preservatives. The all-natural cookies, which sell at a suggested retail price of $1.59, come in 12 tasty flavors including Fruit & Nut, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Peanut Butter, Oatmeal Raisin, Pumpkin Spice, Lemon Poppy Seed, and vegan varieties such as Chocolate Chunk, Oatmeal Fruit, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk.

"Our cookies are something any athlete can eat before a morning workout or as part of his or her recovery. The cookie is real food, real fuel, and real nutrition providing sustained energy because it's made with real oatmeal, fruits, and nuts. We have created a healthy, shelf-stable food without use of hydrogenated oils, preservatives, flavorings, or colorings commonly found in mass produced foods," added Geschwill. "We feel these athletes can serve as ambassadors for our company and deliver the message that Baker's Breakfast Cookies is committed to bringing healthier food to mainstream America one cookie at a time."

In order to be considered for the 2003 Baker's Breakfast Cookie Amateur Athlete Sponsorship Program, interested athletes should visit www.bbcookies.com/race.html for application rules and information.

The 24 athletes who are selected will receive Baker's Breakfast Cookie race apparel, a year's supply of cookies and the opportunity to earn performance- based cash bonuses.

About Baker's Breakfast Cookie Baker's Breakfast Cookie, based in Bellingham, Wash., was founded in 1996 with the goal of bringing healthy food to the masses. These all-natural cookies, which come in 12 tasty flavors contain no hydrogenated oils, artificial colors, sweeteners, preservatives, or corn syrups. Baker's Breakfast Cookies can be found in supermarkets, major drugstore chains, healthy food stores, airport kiosks, and health clubs. To learn more about Baker's Breakfast Cookies, visit the Web site or call (877) 889-1090.