The North Face Endurance Challenge Comes to Atlanta

For the first time in its four-year history, The North Face Endurance Challenge comes to Atlanta, GA on October 16-17, 2010.

Hosted by internationally-recognized ultrarunner Dean Karnazes, The North Face Endurance Challenge Presented by Gore-Tex will be a two-day event in Atlanta that will feature 50-Mile, 50K, Half-Marathon and 10K race distances. This year's event will also feature a Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5K race and runs for kids under 13.

Following regional races in Bear Mountain, NY and Washington, DC, The North Face 2010 Endurance Challenge comes to Madison, WI and Atlanta before culminating with the championship in San Francisco. Each of the men”s and women's regional Gore-Tex 50 Mile winners will take home $1,000. At the Championship, $10,000 each will go to the top male and female Gore-Tex 50 Mile finisher.

“The Atlanta race is a hardy test for trail runners of any level,” said Karnazes. “The Pine Mountain Ridge – on the southernmost edge of the Appalachian Mountain range – will offer a breathtaking fall foliage backdrop in mid-October.”

The Southeast Regional course will run through historic F.D. Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain, GA, which offers 42 miles of established trails. The course features a mixture of technical terrain with rocky rooted footing and some hard-packed trails, including plenty of water crossings and ascents/descents along the Pine Mountain Ridge.

“This is the first year the Endurance Challenge is coming to the southeast and we're excited to build on our relationships with the Atlanta running community,” said Aaron Carpenter, Vice President of Marketing for The North Face. “With a new two-day format and family-oriented activities each day, the Endurance Challenge provides opportunities for athletes at every level to have fun.”

The North Face Endurance Challenge was awarded “Best Green Race Series” by Trail Runner magazine in 2009. In addition to The North Face Endurance Challenge, The North Face hosts global endurance events in Europe, Asia, Australia, South America and Canada.