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2008 Challenge Four Adventure Race set for March 8, 2008 at the Cherokee Outdoor Family YMCA

Press Release / 04.01.2008

The Cherokee Outdoor Family YMCA has been organizing adventure races for four years, and March 8, 2008, is the date of the fourth annual Challenge Four YMCA Adventure Race.

Since its inception, the Challenge Four Adventure Race has increased in participation and the 2008 event will be no different. “The 2007 event fielded 80 teams with more than 150 individuals and was a well-organized and challenging event,” says Toby Bramblett, race director and executive director of the outdoor facility in Woodstock. “The 2008 race was moved to March, so it’s not competing with so many summer activities.”

One great aspect of adventure racing is that it is a surprise until the finish of the race and one more reason why people are flocking to this alternative sport. The race takes about six hours to complete.

“We have young and old participants racing and having the time of their lives,” says Bramblett. “No matter if you are a beginner or an elite racer, each person has an opportunity to compete. When you are in the middle of the woods, or zooming down a hill on your mountain bike, or picking up speed in your canoe, everyone is on a level playing field.”

A youth race will be held in the morning before the adult race. Typically there are 12 or more youth teams, and they race just as hard as the adults but on a shorter course. Each youth team has an adult mentor who completes the course with the team.

“This is a great way for young people to really race hard, but have a safety net in case something happens on the trail,” says Bramblett. “Several years ago a youth racer chose an indirect route. The mentor allowed it to happen, and the youth racer learned a lot by making this choice. I applauded the mentor for not stepping in and making the decision for the young man, because the racer learned more from his decision than if he had been told what to do.”