O2X Summit Challenge Series Brings Off Trail Racing to Grouse Mountain
Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ckgolfsolutions/
GROUSE MOUNTAIN, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The O2X Summit Challenge Series will kick off its 2015 season at Grouse Mountain, “The Peak of Vancouver.”Described as a “new breed of eco‐friendly obstacle race,” the O2X Summit Challenge at Grouse Mountain is scheduled for Saturday, July 11.The race will blend an expertly designed off-trail course — featuring natural challenges like rocky stream crossings, fallen trees and steep scrambles — with a spectator‐friendly festival vibe at the stunning summit finish.“O2X courses seek out the most demanding terrain the mountain has to offer, creating challenging routes that engage every aspect of physical fitness,” said O2X co‐founder Gabriel Gomez. “This is not the usual Grouse Grind. This is climbing, crawling, scrambling and a healthy dose of the unexpected.”The Grouse Mountain course will challenge hard-core runners but can be hiked by just about anyone. At just over eight kilometres the course will gain 900 vertical metres over rough terrain. The fastest test times have come in around one hour, with the average completion time under two hours.Training plans for the O2X Summit Challenges are available through the O2X human performance division at www.O2X.com. The comprehensive, 33‐week training plan is designed by a team of sports science and nutrition professionals, Olympic trainers, athletes and former Navy SEALs.All event participants will receive a Lululemon Metal Vent Tech Shirt, a Super Skyway Tram ticket for themselves and a guest, a Granville Island brew at the finish, signature medal and other sponsor items.GPS route tracking will be provided by flaik, a unique program that allows racers to review their pace and progress along the course, reliving their race at the end of the day.Post-race festivities will include live music and an awards ceremony. The first‐place overall male and female each win $500, and age-group winners will be awarded handcrafted trophies. The ceremony concludes with the O2X Rise Higher Award, which recognizes the most inspiring racer story as nominated by fellow participants and spectators prior to the event.The Lululemon post-race recovery tent will offer massage, gentle stretching and info on best post-workout recovery practices.“There’s a lot of social bonding that goes on in every O2X Summit Challenge. It begins with the first natural challenge, and extends long after the final racer crosses the summit finish,” added Gomez.The Grouse Mountain O2X Summit Challenge kicks off with a pre‐race party at the summit on Friday from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. Racers are encouraged to drop in at BaseCamp for packet pickup and a pre‐race party with live music, cold beverages, bonfire, inspirational speakers and local food. Saturday morning begins with music and pre-race stretching. The first wave of racers goes off at 9:00 a.m., with an anticipated award ceremony start of 1:00 p.m.Spectators are invited to catch a ride to the top of the mountain on the Super Skyride Tram to cheer racers to the finish, browse local food and beverage offerings and enjoy live music, the kids race, yoga and human performance exhibits. Those willing to volunteer will receive a pair of Vibram trail shoes, an O2X volunteer shirt and free entry to a future event.ABOUT O2X SUMMIT CHALLENGESTaking trail running off the trail and adding natural challenges, a summit finish and a festival atmosphere, O2X Summit Challenge (www.O2X.com) courses are tailored to runners, weekend hikers and mountain lovers looking to test their mettle. For more on the people behind O2X and how it got its start, check out our story. O2X organizers are committed to working with local suppliers to reduce shipping impact, avoiding single-‐serve packages and donating salvageable foods in the local area after the event. All O2X courses are built to U.S. Forest Service guidelines, and organizers are committed to a first-of-its kind Remediation Pledge to leave the mountain in better shape than they found it. The 2015 season kicks off at Grouse Mountain, British Columbia (July 11), moves east to Winter Park, Colorado (August 15) and finishes at Loon Mountain, New Hampshire (October 3).For more information and to register for the O2X Summit Challenge at Grouse Mountain, go to http://www.o2x.com/challenge/grouse.
