Mont Blanc Ultra Trail Winners Invited East or West
News Release / 23.09.2008
The North Face have announced that the winners of the 2008 The North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc, Kilian Jornet & Elizabeth Hawker, will be invited to race in their choice of either The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship, to be held in San Francisco (U.S.A.) in December 2008, or The North Face 100, to be held in China in April/May 2009. Additionally, the overall winners in San Francisco and China will be offered the same choice for the following year’s endurance competitions.“The North Face is the one true global endurance brand. We’re dedicated to supporting elite endurance athletes in their endeavors to push preconceived notions of what is possible, and encourage new athletes to find their stride,†said Keith Byrne, The North Face Strategic Marketing Manager EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa). “We design and develop the industry’s most technically advanced trail shoes, apparel and gear, and are thrilled to partner to produce and sponsor these epic endurance events around the globe.â€
The first man and woman to cross the finish line in Chamonix, France on August 30, received more than the accolade of winning Europe’s toughest trail race. These two exceptional athletes also left Chamonix with the offer of a travel expenses paid trip to their next The North Face ultra-race.
The North Face 2008 Endurance Challenge Series, a five part series, spans the United States, starting in Bear Mountain, New York, passing through the Seattle, Washington, Washington, DC, Madison, Wisconsin, and culminating with the championship in San Francisco, California.
Set in the breathtaking Marin headlands just north of San Francisco, The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship Course is a 50-mile (80.5 kilometres) ultramarathon with more than 10,500 feet (3,200 meters) of vertical elevation gain, constant views of the Pacific Ocean, and rewarding glimpses of the Golden Gate Bridge. Taking place December 6, 2008, this race offers one of the largest cash prizes in the sport, with $10,000 USD going to each of the top male and female runners, and generous cash awards for the second and third-place finishers, as well.
The North Face 100 Asia Series is a four-nation endurance challenge promoting the true spirit of exploration. Set in the Asia-Pacific region, the series is a first of its kind in Asia that launched this past summer with races in Australia and the Philippines. The challenge continues in October 2008 with a race in Singapore, and climaxes next April/May with a race in China. The North Face 100 China is the first and only 100KM ultra trail running race in China. With stunning scenery throughout the race will allow runners to explore and discover China from a different perspective.
This reciprocal racing invitation is a new element in 2008, for the sixth annual UTDMB. Beginning in Chamonix on August 29, 2008, 2,300 elite runners from nearly 60 different nations had 46 hours to complete a 166-kilometer (103-mile) course with 9,400 meters (30,840 feet) of ascent. As the runners circled the Mont Blanc massif through three countries—France, Italy and Switzerland—they served as a testament to exploration, adventure, and international friendship.
