2007 COASTAL CHALLENGE “Route of Fire†Foot Race Runs February 3-10 Over 230-km in NW Costa Rica
PRESS RELEASEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â January 30, 2007
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2007 COASTAL CHALLENGE EXPEDITION RUN STARTS NEXT WEEK
 “Route of Fire†Foot Race Runs February 3-10 Over 230-km in NW Costa Rica
SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA — The Coastal Challenge, the World’s Expedition RunTM, which kicks off Sunday morning, February 4, in Costa Rica, will include a number of enhancements that will further establish the event as one of the world’s most exciting and challenging multi-day, off-road running competitions. Set in exotic Costa Rica, the 2007 race follows 230-km of rugged terrain to remote areas of the country, and also includes a variety of new features, such as additional categories for participants and guests.  Regular race updates will be available at www.thecoastalchallenge.com.Â
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For the first time, The Coastal Challenge is offering three categories of participation in the six-day event: the Expedition Run (230-km course), Adventure Run (115-km course),  and the Guest Adventure Tours (six-day, packaged adventure tours such as hiking, rafting, horseback riding, and more). Previous competitions only featured the Expedition Run.
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The third annual race has been dubbed the “Route of Fire†as much for its start at the base of Arenal Volcano, one of the world’s most active that has been flowing consistently since erupting in 1968, as for the scorching temperatures and heated competition. The race will include top runners and adventurers from more than 10 countries around the world, including participants from the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Malaysia, Singapore and South Africa.
The all-new course will follow a tough northwestern route from Costa Rica’s volcanic region, along one of the last tropical dry forests in existence, through jungle terrain and lush rain forests, up to the Pacific Coast near the Nicaraguan boarder. Runners and guests will camp each night at a variety of locations starting with Rancho Margot (http://www.ranchomargot.org/) at Lake Arenal and finishing at Bolanos Bay Hotel on the Pacific Coast, with a mix of remote sites along the way.
The Coastal Challenge has partnered Trail Runner magazine in a contest running on the publication’s web site through June 30, 2007. The winner will receive a free entry to the 2008 Coastal Challenge, and will be announced on or near July 2, 2007. Complete details, rules and registration are online at www.trailrunnermag.com.
Unique to adventure racing and ultra running events, The Coastal Challenge also offers Guest Adventure Tour Packages throughout the event including activities like hiking, horseback riding and rafting.  The tours have been set up to remove the “racing guilt†many people associate with long hours of training and travel that take away from family time. They can now include their family and friends who can participate in some of Costa Rica’s most exciting adventure tours during racing days, and then reconvene with the runners back at the roving camp each evening after the day’s events to share stories and enjoy the camaraderie of the entire event.
About The Coastal Challenge
Set on Costa Rica’s Northwest Coast, The Coastal Challenge is the “World’s Expedition Run™,†releasing runners over approximately 230 kilometers of exotic and wild Costa Rican coastline and mountainous regions. For six days, runners embrace the spirit of adventure, discovery and camaraderie within a long distance running competition while navigating beaches, rock outcroppings, volcanic regions, wide river crossings, rainforests, jungles and windswept highlands. It is an expedition run of epic proportions introducing competitors to the hospitality of the local Tico culture while testing their will and stamina.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Van Holmes
The Coastal Challenge
310-434-9250
van@thecoastalchallenge.com
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