FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
PORTLAND, ME – October 8, 2009 – On Sunday morning, October 11th, one hundred athletes will gather at Sunday River to race in the second annual Mountain Epic. The 2009 event will take place at the height of the fall foliage season and showcase two new, challenging long-distance courses and a return to the infamous Mud Pit.
Athletes will compete in one of three courses of varying levels of degree. The 4-mile short course scales one peak; the middle-distance course spans 8-miles and crosses up and over five peaks; and the long course sends athletes on a grueling, 12-mile route, traversing eight peaks and ascending over 3,500 feet.
All three courses begin and end at Sunday River’s South Peak Lodge and offer some of the most spectacular and technical trail running in New England. Course terrain varies, moving from smooth dirt roads to rocky Jeep trails, grassy ski trails to bald-face rock, and gnarly single track to man-made mountain bike embankments. The finish chute includes a 200-yard obstacle course containing hurdles and the Mud Pit.
A post-race BBQ and celebration with live music from Worlds Collide follows the completion of the race. Spectators will also have the opportunity to hike and ride chair lifts, viewing the race, and the mountain vistas, from high North Peak points.
Mountain Epic runs in conjunction with Sunday River’s Fall Festival Weekend featuring outdoor concerts, horse wagon rides, hiking and mountain biking, wine and spirit tasting, fireworks, and the renowned Wife Carrying Competition. Full schedule and information can be found at sundayriver.com.
“This year’s Mountain Epic will offer something for everyone – from first-time trail runners to devoted adventure racers,” says Erik Boucher, Mountain Epic’s logistics coordinator. “The event not only showcases Sunday River’s rugged terrain, great fall scenery, and spirited mountain culture, but it also offers an unbelievable mountain running challenge that you can’t find anywhere else in Maine.”
Awards will be given to top three fastest overall individuals and age groupers in each race. Creative prizes will also be given out for the best Mud Pit entrances.
For more information, contact Amy VanHaren or visit mountain-epic.com.
About Tri-Maine:
Tri-Maine Productions is Maine’s premier multisport event management company. Providing high quality, competitive races in dynamic New England locations, Tri-Maine serves more than 3,000 athletes, 5,000 spectators, and 800 volunteers annually. Tri-Maine partners with first-rate local and national sponsors to provide an athletic experience like no other. Fusing arts, music, environmental consciousness, health, and community together with the active lifestyle, Tri-Maine delivers specialized events that transcend the traditional. Visit www.tri-maine.com for more information.
Contact:
Amy VanHaren, Public Relations Director
Tri-Maine Productions
207.221.5420 x 5 Office
amy@tri-maine.com
www.tri-maine.com
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