SAULT STE. MARIE - On May 2rd and 3rd 2009, teens from across Ontario will find their way to Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario for a 25 km wilderness race at the 3rd annual provincial High School Adventure Challenge.
Both the 2007 and 2008 events saw over 170 students from over 30 high schools in Ontario participate. North Bay saw two teams compete in the 2008 race from Widdifield High School-Galactic Acid and the Courier de Bois. Galactic Acid, placed high in the top ten coming in at fourth place. The 2009 High School Adventure Challenge looks forward to the return of Galactic Acid, as well as new teams from Widdifield High School and the other schools in the North Bay area!
"We have another fantastic event planned, with a great race course, and free pre-race educational workshops for participants," said the event's coordinator Nadine Robinson. "Just like we hope that the global leaders who will meet at Deerhurst Resort in 2010 for the G8 Summit are up to their global challenge, we're hoping our high school leaders are up to this challenge."
Racers will negotiate the wilderness in teams of three by foot, bike and canoe with only a map and a compass to guide them. No experience is necessary and competitors do not have to be elite athletes to take part. "Most of the competitors from the first two events were beginners to the sport -- the race is designed as a fun, safe, first step into adventure racing," commented Robinson. "This is not the December, Abu Dhabi, six-day straight adventure challenge -- this one is much shorter, there are no camels, and there is a lot more mud."
Safety is always a top priority to the organizers, and the challenge will be run by Frontier Adventure Sports & Training, who boast over 12 years of safety and experience in adventure racing. The course was again designed by Lawrence Foster, an international course designer and renowned eco-challenge competitor. "This year's race course will offer new challenges, new routes and new adventure for all the participants, lasting from three and a half to six hours." Foster said. "It will also offer spectators the chance to cheer on the teams from the comfort of Deerhurst Resort."
"We're proud to offer this outdoor experience of a lifetime for students to develop and challenge their leadership and teamwork skills." Robinson added. "We couldn't do it without the support of our sponsors, as many racers, including last year's winners, wouldn't have made it to the event without help. We are again asking kind souls and organizations to sponsor teams in need, or get creative and pay for transportation to the event for multiple teams in one city."
The High School Adventure Challenge is again presented by Algoma University of Sault Ste. Marie and CTV. Other key sponsors include TV's Survivorman - Les Stroud, Deerhurst Resort, Paddlefoot, Research in Motion, the Sault Star, Axis Gear, Pictographics, and 99.5 YES FM.
For more information, visit the event website www.adventureracers.ca/now or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=51611688510.
