Atlanta to host The North Face Endurance Challenge 2010

The North Face, the world’s premier supplier of authentic, innovative and technically advanced outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear, today announced the Southeast Regional of The North Face Endurance Challenge 2010 will be hosted in Atlanta, GA, October 16 – 17, 2010.

Atlanta, named one of the 25 best running cities in America by Runner’s World magazine, joins New York, Washington, DC, and Madison, WI, as regional sites for this year’s event. The Southeast Regional course will run through historic F.D. Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain, GA, which offers 42 miles of established trails.

“Atlanta has a great running community and the FDR State Park’s Pine Mountain Trail offers rich and beautiful terrain,” said Aaron Carpenter, VP Marketing for The North Face. “These elements, along with our strong relationships with Pine Mountain Trail Association and the Georgia Ultrarunning and Trailrunning Society, made Atlanta a natural choice for this event.”

Launched in 2007 and hosted by internationally-recognized ultrarunner Dean Karnazes, The North Face Endurance Challenge offers a unique running experience, welcoming people to push and exceed their personal limits on the trail. In addition to the Gore-Tex 50-Mile, 50K, Half-Marathon and 10K race distances, each of the five Endurance Challenge events will offer a Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5K race and runs for kids under 13. Each men’s and women’s regional Gore-Tex 50-Mile winners will take home $1,000. At the Championship, $10,000 each will go to the top male and female Gore-Tex 50-Mile finisher.

For 2010, the event series introduces a two-day format, with the Gore-Tex 50-Mile, 50K, Marathon, Marathon Relay and kids’ races held on Saturday, and the Half-Marathon, 10K and 5K races on Sunday. Participants also have the opportunity to raise money and awareness for a particular cause of their choice, create a corporate relay team or enroll children in a running event catered to their age group.

The outdoors is the DNA of The North Face, with the goal to inspire the next generation of enthusiasts and increase outdoor participation among people of all ages. The North Face creates opportunities around the globe to introduce and encourage people to explore their outdoor world in a way that is meaningful to them.

To register for the Atlanta Endurance Challenge (October 16 – 17, 2010) and find out more about The North Face global races head to www.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge

The North Face Endurance Challenge 2010 kicks off in Bear Mountain, NY, in May and culminates with the championship in San Francisco. The North Face Endurance Challenge was awarded “Best Green Race Series” by Trail Runner magazine in 2009. In addition to The North Face Endurance Challenge, The North Face hosts global endurance events in Europe, Asia, Australia, South America and Canada.


The North Face Running Clubs
The North Face offers Running Clubs are designed for aspiring runners and accomplished trail racers alike. With two levels of membership, runners can choose a program based on specific running goals. Hosted by top coaches and guides from Carmichael Training Systems, the Running Clubs are based out of The North Face retail stores in 11 locations nationwide, including all Endurance Challenge regions. The clubs offer participants a chance to connect with other runners and train for local running events year-round. The North Face also offers an online Training Tracker that lets runners everywhere monitor their fitness programs for free.


About The North Face®
The North Face, a division of VF Outdoor, Inc., was founded in 1968. Headquartered in San Leandro, California, the company offers the most technically advanced products in the market to accomplished climbers, mountaineers, snowsport athletes, endurance athletes, and explorers. The company’s products are sold in specialty mountaineering, backpacking, running, and snowsport retailers, premium-sporting goods retailers and major outdoor specialty retail chains.