Ultra-endurance events are seeing a considerable spike in popularity as athletes look to redefine the traditional tests of strength and stamina.
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Starting on April 12 at Bear Mountain in New York, The North Face Challenge will lure endurance athletes to test their mettle in various distance events around the country.
Hosted by internationally recognized endurance athlete Dean Karnazes, The North Face Endurance Challenge is a four-region, nationwide running event for outdoor athletes seeking to explore their personal limits.
The North Face Endurance Challenge kicks off in the rugged mountains rising from the west bank of the Hudson River, in Bear Mountain, New York, on April 12, 2008.The event, which offers distances of 10K, Half Marathon, 50K, and 50 Miles, is the series’ inaugural 2008 event, where 50-mile participants will compete for $1,000 and a spot in the championships in San Francisco, California.
“We are excited to offer athletes of all levels an opportunity to push themselves in a fun, competitive, inspiring environment,” said Steve Rendle, President of The North Face.
The 50-Mile course has roughly 9,000 feet of elevation gain over technical, rocky trails with multiple shallow stream crossings and hiking sections. The Accelerade 50K shares nearly 26 miles of the 50-Mile course, so much of the same can be expected. The Half Marathon faces some extreme climbs and descents, as well. The 10K features three miles up and three miles down on epic single track.
“The North Face Endurance Challenge in Bear Mountain is likely as tough as any endurance trail run this area could offer,” said Brian Duncanson, race ambassador and course designer.
The Endurance Challenge is again expected to attract some of the country’s top ultra-endurance runners. In addition to host Karnazes, several The North Face Endurance Team athletes will attend, including past 50K national trail champion Kami Semick, 2007 USATF 50-mile national trail champion Nikki Kimball, and 25-time Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run sub-24-hour finisher Tim Twietmeyer. Many other runners are primed to embrace The North Face Endurance Challenge as an opportunity to complete a distance they have never previously covered.
The North Face 2008 Endurance Challenge Series will total four regional events and one Championship event. From April through December 2008, four endurance events will span the country, starting in Bear Mountain, passing through the Seattle area, Washington, DC, and Madison, Wisconsin, and culminating with the championship in San Francisco, California. Each men’s and women’s regional 50-mile champion will take home $1,000 and a trip to the Endurance Challenge Championship in San Francisco in December, where $10,000 will go to the top male and female 50-mile finisher.
The schedule is as follows:
Bear Mountain, NY - April 12
Seattle-Bellingham , WA - May 10
Washington , DC - September 6
Madison , WI - October 18
San Francisco , CA - December 6
“I’m thrilled to continue to share in the enthusiasm around endurance and testing one’s limits,” said Karnazes. “Many people around the globe joined us last year to test their preconceived notions of what is possible. I’m looking forward to seeing them, and others, as we continue the journey with The Endurance Challenge.”
As part of its commitment to community and conservation, The North Face, in partnership with The Conservation Fund's Go Zero program, will be planting trees to zero out the carbon emissions of this event, including set-up, break down, and transportation.
For more information, visit: www.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge.
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