Musing and Errata on the world of Adventure Racing from the Yak
presented by MPGear.com

The Coastal Challenge (TCC), the World's Expedition Run, has opened registration for its 2009 race, the "Rainforest Run," scheduled February 1-6 along Costa Rica's tropical Pacific coastline.

Additionally, TCC has launched a revamped web site as well as an all-new blog that will serve as a meeting and discussion point for former, current and potential competitors.
Set in Costa Rica's pristine southern region, the "Rainforest Run" will utilize the country's rich rain forests as a backdrop for a diverse course that moves from jungle and rainforest trails to highlands, coastal ranges, reefs, and river crossings.

The route, which takes a decidedly different feel from last year's "Route of Fire" in the Northwest, and will weave from the beach into the Talamancas, a coastal mountain range, before finishing in Corcovado National Park, one of the worldâ??s premier rain forest experiences and Unesco World Heritage site. The Rainforest Run will also feature a first-ever night run in which racers will traverse a portion of the course in the dark, navigating via torch-lit trails.

"We considered a wealth of runner feedback when deciding on this year's route," said Tim Holmstrom, race director. "The Rainforest Run combines the best of Costa Rica's natural beauty with a stunning and challenging route that will reward athletes of all levels.â??"

The race, which will be capped at 125 competitors, offers four categories of participation:

• Team Expedition Run - Runners sign up in teams of three to six
  
  
• Solo Expedition Run - The full 200+ kilometer
  
  
• Expedition Run
  
  
• Solo Adventure Run - A shortened, yet extremely challenging 125-kilometer route

Guest Adventure Tours

Daily adventure tours like river rafting, nature hikes and more available to guests of the runners.

The new course served as the inspiration for the revamped www.thecoastalchallenge.com, which includes additional photos and information, and will unveil the complete route later this year. Also, in an effort to connect competitors before and after the event, TCC has created a blog, www.thecoastalblog.com.

About The Coastal Challenge

The Coastal Challenge is the "Worldâ??s Expedition Run," releasing runners over approximately 200 kilometers of exotic and wild Costa Rican mountainous regions and rugged coastline. For six days, runners embrace the spirit of adventure, discovery and camaraderie within a long distance running competition while navigating wide river crossings, rain forests, jungles, windswept highlands, beaches, and rock outcroppings. It is an expedition run of epic proportions introducing competitors to the hospitality of the local Tico culture while pushing the limits of their will and endurance. For more information visit www.thecoastalchallenge.com.

A recent post at MLive.com, a Michigan-centric blog, talks about a new program that's using adventure racing to teach middle school boys self-respect and how to work together:

Colton's mother, Joni Hall, noticed the difference the program made. "He's always been a quiet leader, but helping kids along, especially the younger kids, has been very empowering for him. I've seen him grow and mature."

Focused on Beginner and intermediate racers looking to gain the skills and knowledge to make the jump to the next level of competition.

September 10th - 14th in Pisgah Forest, NC.

Price: $700 per person

Instruction in whitewater paddling, ropes, navigation, mountain biking, race training and logistics planning, mountain biking, river rescue, flat water paddling, nutrition, and ending with a 12 hour adventure race.

Call 772-579-0005 for more details or email contact@pvadventures.com.

All Equipment is provided including bikes if needed.

Experience the Good life
Joe Moerschbaecher
Pura Vida Adventures
http://www.pvadventures.com
772-579-0005

During my hands on coverage of the 2006 Primal Quest in Utah I set up a dedicated Primal Quest Blog and photo gallery.

Here's me working my ass off in the desert :-)















I shelved the blog not sure it it would be needed again. Well it is so we're bringing it out of mothballs.

Army of Zero reporter Mike Bitton is heading to Montana to provide behind the scenes reporting and photography from the course while the race is in progress.

Hi Mike...have fun...I'm jealous...

The Checkpoint Zero blog roll is expanding again.

The accomplished racers of DART-nuun have joined the fold and moved their long running blog to our little corner of the web. We've made it easy to find their new digs...just head over to http://www.checkpointzero.com/dartnuun and to see what one of the sports most accomplished teams is up to.

Also, look for a homepage redesign this week that will provide a new content aggregation and navigation scheme incorporating DART-nuun's blog along side our other team and event blogs.

Labels: dart-nuun

As of the last update to the leaderboard our own Checkpoint Zero/Inov-8 was racing alongside Running Free well ahead of the rest of the field.

Our squad for this one is made up of Peter Jolles, Paul Cox, Jenn Rinderle and Michele Hobson. These four have nearly 20 years of racing experience between them and definitely have what it takes to go the distance.

Hopefully they can extend their lead and hold on to it. They're being chased by the VERY strong racers of ATP/PVAdventures.com.

May 10th and 11th in San Luis Obispo, CA

Marin bikes will be demoing their latest 29ers and full suspension trail bikes and Seda Kayaks will be on site with their full line of racing kayaks.

We'll be providing live tracking of 6 select teams on our event monitor and across the globe on the world wide web thanks to SPOT.

Visit http://www.ccadventure.com for more information.

Mother Nature laid the smack down at the Sunflower 12/24 hour adventure race in Lawrence, KS on March 29-30. Several canoes were sent to their deaths.

Like the good folks they are, the local racing community pulled together and collected nearly $3000 to replace the boats.

Team WEDALI went so far as to return the $1000 they'd just won.

Deatails at ARMonkey.com and here's a news clip from a local TV station.