Adventure racing returns to Searchmont

NEWS RELEASE

TOURISM SAULT STE. MARIE

************************* Fun, one-day adventure race at Searchmont

Frontier Adventure Challenge - Searchmont Resort, Saturday, September 6, 2008

The Frontier Adventure Challenge is coming to Sault Ste. Marie this fall! This exciting and fun team multi-sport event has been challenging adventure athletes across the country for years.

Now it’s the Sault’s turn. Teams of three and solo racers will compete for prizing and glory while biking, hiking, paddling and navigating through an unmarked wilderness racecourse that spans over 40km. Teams of three can be all-male, all-female or co-ed or racers can go solo.

In partnership with Searchmont Resort and Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, this eight-hour race will feature the best trails and scenery around the incredible Searchmont area. Teams will discover more than just the great adventure potential of the area; they will discover the value of teamwork, and they’ll push past their perceived limits.

Searchmont provides an incredible athlete's village atmosphere, with a beautiful backdrop, great amenities, excellent accommodations and a perfect location for a post-race social!

And to celebrate the increasing participation of young adventure racers, primarily from the Algoma Region, the race is offering a special youth entry fee of $295 for anyone 21 and under.

That’s a discount of $100 off the regular price. Frontier Adventure Sports, the event organizers, say the event is for everyone.

“We want racers of all ages to make this a memorable weekend event,” says Geoff Langford, the race director. “With the right level of success, we can make this an annual event. The course offers both an advanced and regular option, making this a race for everyone. It’s perfect cross-training for serious biking, trail running or paddling athletes, and a great change for triathletes. But at the same time, it’s completely achievable for the weekend warrior.”

What - Frontier Adventure Challenge

- 5-8 hour adventure race (trekking, paddling, trail running, navigating and mountain biking)

When - Friday, September 5: p.m. registration and pre-race social - Saturday, September 6: 10 a.m. race start; 6 p.m. race finish; 7 p.m. post-race dinner, ceremonies and party!

- Sunday, September 7: stay for a day of adventures and exploration

Where

- Searchmont Resort, just north of Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Registration

- Teams of three (all-male, all-female or co-ed): $395

- Solo racers: $125 (and must provide their own canoe or kayak)

- Youth teams (all team members 21 and under): $295

- For details and on-line registration, click here.

Volunteers needed

Frontier Adventure Sports is also looking for local volunteers to assist in the management of this event.

Although many volunteers travel from out of town to participate, organizers appreciate the opportunity to work with local volunteers who are familiar with the area.

For more information about volunteering, please visit this website, or contact Frontier Adventure Sports at (416) 783-4464 or make contact by e-mail.

About the Frontier Adventure Challenge Series

The Frontier Adventure Challenge Series (established 2001) was created to introduce even more people to authentic, wilderness multi-sport racing.

The focus of this series is fun and accessibility - probably why the Frontier Adventure Challenge has become the largest adventure racing series in Canada.

Open and co-ed teams of three navigate their way across an unmarked, 40-plus kilometre racecourse in both winter and summer months.

Teams are treated to a 5-to-8-hour adventure, including such disciplines as: trekking, mountain biking, rafting, cross-country skiing, paddling, snowshoeing, swimming and even tobogganing!

The Frontier Adventure Challenge is truly "Where Adventure Begins!"

The season wraps up with a 75 kiloemtre, 10-to-14-hour Fall Classic and championship event.

About Frontier Adventure Sports & Training (FAST)

Adventure racing is a young sport that has exploded in popularity across North America.

Frontier Adventure Sports is leading that growth in Canada with its internationally recognized Raid the North series.

With 11 years of adventure sport experience, Frontier Adventure Sports has established an international reputation for solid logistics and challenging racecourses.

These non-stop races, ranging in length from eight hours to six days, require co-ed teams of three or four to trek, mountain bike, paddle and negotiate fixed ropes, while navigating an unmarked racecourse through the wilderness.

The exact course is kept secret until the night before the race and, even then, teams are only given topographical maps and grid coordinates for the checkpoints they must reach in order.

Likened to an expedition with a stopwatch, adventure racing requires teamwork, perseverance and strong navigation and wilderness survival skills.

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