Ultra Race of Champions (UROC) Doubles Cash Purse to $20,000 in 2012

October 17, 2011, Charlottesville, VA— With the recent overwhelming support and tremendous success of the 2011 Ultra Race of Champions (UROC), race directors J. Russell Gill and Dr. Francesca Conte from Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports have announced the doubling of the cash purse to $20,000 for 2012.

For UROC 2012, the 100K cash purse breakdown will be:
$5000 each- Male/Female UROC Champions-
$2000 each- Male/Female Runner Up
$1500 each- Male/Female Third Place
$1000 each- Male/Female Fourth Place
$ 500 each- Male/Female Fifth Place

The date for the 2012 Ultra Race of Champions is September 29, 2012 to be held for the second year at Wintergreen Resort, Virginia and online registration opens today.

“Our goal of creating the single ‘Championship’event for the sport of ultra distance running is quickly coming to fruition” says Gill. “The sport of ultra distance running has grown dramatically in the past decade, with many great events with long traditions, but the sport has lacked (until now!)its big day, its ‘Superbowl,’ the one race to determine the best ultra distance runners for that calendar year.” “We were ecstatic with the support we received for UROC from all the elite athletes, those who could and could not make it this year” says Conte. “We want to extend the same support to the sport and to the athletes who move it forward. Doubling the cash purse for 2012 will not only go a long way to keep the elites ‘in business,’ but also attract several international names.”

In order to deepen the field and attract international athletes, Gill and Conte have expanded the Ultra Race of Champions Elite Advisory Committee. In addition to Montrail athlete Geoff Roes who, says Gill “was instrumental to the success of UROC in 2011,” Gill and Francesca have recruited elite athletes (and 2011 UROC competitors) from the sports’top running teams: Dave Mackey from HOKA, Ian Sharman and Michael Wardian from The North Face, and Devon Crosby-Helms from Salomon. Dave Mackey has a very long list of incredible accomplishments, including wins at the Miwok 100K and American River 50 Miler. “I hope my experience in dozens of events can help UROC become the top notch ultra mountain event that it strives to become, for citizens and elite runners alike” says Mackey.

Ian Sharman, originally from Great Britain, recently destroyed the Rocky Raccoon 100 Miler with a record time of 12:44.”After racing at UROC’s inaugural race this year” says Sharman, “I was really impressed by the quality of the organization and with everything to do with the event. We all had an amazing time and a competitive race on a course that did not favor anyone; being on the UROC Elite Advisory Committee should be fun. I’ll be aiming to expand the quality of the field further and to attract the best runners from all over the world. I would love to see runners like Lizzy Hawker, Ellie Greenwood or Jez Bragg race the top Americans.”

Michael Wardian excells at major marathons (winner of the 2010 Hartford Marathon), has won medals for the USA at 50K and 100K Championships and was second this year at UROC. Michael, by his own admission, will be an excellent link to American and International runners.”I know a lot of international runners also due to racing around the world,” says Wardian “and I look forward to connecting them with UROC for 2012.”

Devon Cosby-Helms is currently and indisputably one of the sport’s most accomplished female ultra runners. “The UROC 100k is a great race, because it favors no runner, except the well rounded one.” says Cosby-Helms. “I highly endorse this race.”

“Because of their first-hand knowledge about and personal connection to the sport, Dave, Ian and Devon will assure the presence of an even deeper field of elite competitors at the UROC 2012” says Conte. “Devon knows many female athletes and Ian has widespread international connections. All three of our new council members fully embraced the concept of UROC from the beginning and will enhance our core team, joining Geoff Roes and Neal Gorman as we take UROC into 2012. We are all very excited to have them on board.”

Geoff Roes – Ultra Race of Champions Board Member and Elite Athlete Liaison
Dave Mackey – Elite Advisory Council
Ian Sharman – Elite Advisory Council
Michael Wardian – Elite Advisory Council
Devon Crosby-Helms – Elite Advisory Council
Neal Gorman – Elite Advisory Council

“I believe UROC 2012 will be an even bigger success, attracting more elites and citizens alike” says Gill. “UROC is about the competition and Championship, but it also embodies the true spirit of ultra running. UROC is a milestone event and epic celebration of this great sport of ours.”

Registration for the 2012 Ultra Race of Champions opens today, October 17th, 2011. Runners may register at www.ultraroc.com; 2012 sponsors queries should be directed to: rungillrun@comcast.net

About UROC

The goal of the Ultra Race of Champions is to create the Championship Event for the sport of Ultra Distance Running. Elite runners are invited based on the recommendations of a UROC advisory panel and their performances at events such as: Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, the four Grand Slam 100-mile events (Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, Vermont 100-Mile Endurance Run, Leadville Trail 100-Mile Run and Wasatch Front 100-Mile Endurance Run) and other select ultra races around the world. www.ultraroc.com

About Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports
By directing premiere trail and road events in the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia, Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports strives to motivate runners of all backgrounds to challenge themselves. For almost 10 years, Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports events have reflected owners Gill and Francesca’s decades-long knowledge and passion for running. www.badtothebone.biz