O2X Summit Challenges announces Northeast Point Series
Get access to everything we publish when you sign up for Outside+.
Top men’s and women’s finishers at each event vie for $1500 total prize purse;
seasonal point winners to earn additional $1000
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS — Some say the summit is its own reward. Others say a little cash makes it sweeter.
The O2X Summit Challenge – a mountain running experience that blends trail running and creative natural challenges with a summit finish – today announced the details of its 2014 Northeast Point Series, including $1000 prizes to the top annual point winners for men and women, and $1500 to be divided by the top finishers at each individual race.
Mountain venues in the 2014 O2X Summit Challenge series include Sugarbush, Vermont (Sept. 13), Sunday River, Maine (Sept. 27), Loon Mountain, NH (Oct. 18) and Windham Mountain, NY (Oct. 25).
O2X Summit Challenge courses are rated on a unique Diamond Grading System. Single Diamond routes gain at least 1,000 net vertical feet over at least four miles, and Double Diamond routes gain at least 2,000 vertical feet over up to 8 miles. All courses will blend single-track trails, double-track dirt roads, glades, rock scrambles and open slopes.
In the overall 2014 O2X Northeast Point Series, racers will accumulate points for any top 20 finish. Single Diamond course winners will receive 100 points, with points scaling down evenly to 5 points for 20th place. Double Diamond course winners will receive 200 points, with points scaling down evenly to 10 points for 20th place. The highest male and female point totals at the end of the 2014 race calendar will each be awarded a cash prize of $1000.
At each individual race venue, men’s and women’s Single Diamond course winners will win $250 each. Double Diamond course winners will take home $500 each. Additional award categories at each race venue includes: age category winners; team winners; and the fastest time through a spotlight feature of the course. A special “Rise Beyond” award will also be given for the most inspiring participant story (may be nominated by racers or spectators).
The O2X registration fee of $120 per event includes parking, insurance, processing fees and bag drop. Racers who sign up for four 2014 races, will gain free entry to any single race in 2015. Camping is the sole option, with a $60/night charge for a four-person tent rental ($15/camper), or a $30/night charge for campsite only. To register, please visit www.O2X.com
ABOUT O2X SUMMIT CHALLENGES
A mountain running experience that blends trail running and creative natural challenges with a summit finish, O2X Summit Challenges are designed to provide a healthy challenge for a variety of fitness levels, from weekend hikers to elite trail runners. A weekend-long “BaseCamp” will blend on-site camping, scheduled nature hikes for friends and spectators, training-and-performance exhibits, and a farmer’s market-inspired gathering of local fare. The events will also include a first-of-a-kind “remediation commitment” from race organizers to leave each venue better than they found it. O2X is a member of 1% for the Planet (www.onepercentfortheplanet.org), EPA Wastewise (www.EPA.gov), and Leave No Trace (www.lnt.org). Upcoming events include Sugarbush, Vermont (Sept. 13), Sunday River, Maine (Sept. 27), Loon Mountain, NH (Oct. 18) and Windham NY (Oct. 25). For more information, please visit O2X.com or go to facebook.com/O2Xchallenges.
