Corporate challenge.

Los Angeles-based Herbalife Ltd. signed a three-year agreement to become a "presenting" sponsor of the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Triathlon that will be held in September.

For the first time in its nine-year history, the triathlon will feature a corporate relay division, allowing companies to field teams in the Herbalife Corporate Triathlon Championship.

The words "presented by Herbalife" will be attached to the 2008 event. The triathlon will start with a swim at Venice Beach and end downtown at the Staples Center. The event will have both Olympic and sprint distances, and a bike-only race.

The idea of a corporate challenge has been the focus of Herbalife Chairman and Chief Executive Michael Johnson. He wanted companies to field triathlon teams when he was an executive at Wait Disney Co. and later formed an entertainment industry challenge at the Malibu Triathlon.

Staff reporter David Nusbaum can be reached at [phone], ext. 236, or at [e-mail]