New Race Director and SPQ Qualification at Cal-Eco

Gordon Wright/Cal Eco / 23.01.2004

California Sports Marketing has announced details of the 6th annual Cal-Eco Adventure Series. The races showcase an intense package of adventure sports crammed into just one day. From ultra distance running/hiking to kayaking, these races test both the physical and psychological endurance of every participant and are among the country's most popular adventure race series.

The series this year features race director, Jason Orbaugh, who comes to California from a successful race management career in Texas. An adventure racer himself since 1998, Orbaugh says that this year's venues may challenge even experienced Cal-Eco competitors. "The exciting thing about having an AR series in California," says Orbaugh, "is that the landscape is incredibly diverse. Each race this year will take full advantage of both daily climate and terrain changes to make it an unforgettable season."

As competitors flood through the starting gate, they will embark on near marathon length running legs, battle over rocky terrain on mountain bikes, paddle down rivers and across lakes in kayaks, and complete challenging rope sections.

On April 17, the series begins in Lake San Antonio, Monterey County's premiere freshwater recreation area. Adventure racers will find themselves among the tall redwoods of Jackson State Forest on May 15 for the second instalment of Cal-Eco, and trekking through the Sierra Nevada Mountains on June 26 for the third race in South Yosemite. Lastly, the series will wrap up on July 29 as the Cal-Eco Finals take place along the coast in Santa Barbara.

While the first three races are 24-hour endurance tests, the final event is a two to three-day non-stop challenge that is sure to test the skills of even the most experienced adventure racers. Waiting at the finish line is some much needed rest and rehabilitation along with $20,000 in prize money for the top five overall series finishers.

All of the teams competing in 2004 will collect the fine schwag that has come to exemplify CSM events, and those teams that complete all of the series races will once more win the Seagate Hard Driver Award: a solid-gold carabiner.

New this season is automatic qualification for the top ten teams at the Santa Barbara finals into the Subaru Primal Quest - the sport's premiere event.

More information on the Cal-Eco Adventure Series can be found online at www.csmevents.com.