Colorado to Host Red Bull Divide and Conquer Again

News Release / 22.03.2005

Hailed after its inaugural year as one of the most gruelling endurance races ever conceived, Red Bull Divide & Conquer, a four-discipline mountain sports relay race (trail running, mountain biking, kayaking, and paragliding) returns to Colorado on June 18, 2005, challenging world-class athletes to push themselves to the limit and beyond.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the San Juan Mountain Range along the Continental Divide, the epic race features 8 miles of rigorous mountain trail running; a 13,300-foot high paragliding launch; 27 miles of raging white water kayaking including Class IV rapids; and 27 painstaking miles of steep vertical mountain biking trails that ascend 7,000 feet.

\"Last year\'s Red Bull Divide & Conquer race literally brought some of the world\'s toughest athletes to their knees,\" says Patrick Harper, course designer, and professional adventure racing athlete. \"This year, competitors won\'t just be challenged, they will be humbled.\"

Making its debut in 2004, Red Bull Divide & Conquer was fashioned after the revered Red Bull Dolomitenmann race that has been hosted in Austria for 17 years. Red Bull Divide and Conquer will feature four-person mountain sports relay teams dividing efforts by specialty to conquer specialized trail running, paragliding, kayaking and mountain biking courses.

Rugged terrain, temperamental weather, and dizzying altitudes will test athletes\' skill, stamina, and will, as they race throughout Colorado\'s Animas River Valley and its surrounding peaks between the historic town of Silverton and Durango Mountain Resort (formerly Purgatory) to ultimately determine who will conquer and who will be conquered. To celebrate the area\'s rich mining heritage, team members will pass chunk of silver to one another as they make their relay exchanges.

Red Bull Divide & Conquer is an open competition for both male and female experienced athletes in all four disciplines (trail running, paragliding, white water kayaking and mountain biking). Pre-established teams of four may register online at the race web site at www.redbulldivideandconquer.com.

Athletes interested in creating teams are encouraged email team liaison Patrick Harper at pharper@ctcweb.net. A maximum of 50, four-person teams will be selected to compete.

Teams will be competing for a piece of the $17,500 prize purse, plus an all expenses paid trip to Austria to compete in the 18th annual Red Bull Dolomitenmann extreme team relay race in September, 2005. Fastest split times will also be awarded a special trophy and $500 prize.