Death Race

News Release / 15.01.2014

There are millions of running races, thousands of marathons, hundreds of triathlons and dozens of ultramarathons, but there is only one Death Race.  Held annually since 2005 in the small town of Pittsfield, VT, the 2014 Death Race is scheduled to begin on June 27, with just 300 elite endurance athletes given the chance to test their mental and physical prowess like no other event on earth.

Last year, just 10% of the registered participants were still standing after the event ended after nearly 70 hours.  The Top 5 male finishers in order of finish were:  PJ Rakoski, Ken Lubin, Don Schwartz, Olof Dallner, and Will Bowden.  The four female finishers were:  Camille Adams, Stacie Preston, Amelia Boone and Shelley Koenig.

The theme of the 2014 Death Race is “The Explorer.”  According to race organizers, competitors can read the exploits of Sir Edmund Hilary, Shackleton and Lewis & Clark to prepare for their journey.  Past themes have included; gambling, religion and money.  Competitors are also provided a gear list of more than a dozen items weighing in excess of 50-pounds in advance of the race.

The obstacle and challenge-driven race requires competitors to complete numerous grueling mental and physical challenges throughout a 40-mile course that runs through the Vermont woods.  During the Death Race, competitors may be asked to chop wood for two hours; complete a 30-mile hike with rocks and weighted packs; build a fire from scratch; cut a bushel of onions; or after 24-hours of racing, memorize the names of the first 10 U.S. Presidents or a Bible verse, hike to the top of a mountain and recite them back in order - miss a word and you get to do it again…and again…and again.  

Unlike other endurance races that offer a detailed map, Death Racers have no idea what to expect next as the course map and list of challenges are kept secret.  This provides competitors with one of their biggest challenges as the length of the race can range from 48-72 hours. For an endurance athlete, not knowing where the light is at the end of the tunnel can be sheer torture.

“Just like life, the Death Race is designed to push and aggravate people to such a point that even the most stoic eventually fail,” said Joe De Sena, co-Founder of the Death Race and the Reebok Spartan Race Founder.  “Only those people possessing incredible discipline under the most insane and even delusional circumstances can call themselves a finisher.  These athletes are willing to complete the journey at all costs.  The fact that people endured for 70 hours to see what they are made of, is just remarkable and awe-inspiring.”

For a taste of the Death Race, aspiring endurance athletes are encouraged to test their mettle at the Reebok Spartan Race Series.  The 60-event series, developed by the creators of the Death Race, offers competitors three different obstacle race courses including: the Spartan Sprint (5K), Super Spartan (8 miles) and Spartan Beats (10+ miles). 

For a complete schedule visit www.spartanrace.com. 

For more information on the Death Race, visit www.PeakRaces.com or www.Facebook.com/spartanrace. 

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