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 November 9th, 2006
Announcing the Inaugural ‘Duel in the Sun’ duathlon event to be held in Costa Rica September 20-23, 2007.
The inaugural multi-day duathlon, ‘Duel in the Sun’ will be held in the Guanacaste Region of Costa Rica, an area still known to locals as the “Old West” frontier, September 20-23, 2007. Registration is now open for the event and you can find out more by visiting www.duelinthesun.com or www.active.com.
Duel in the Sun is a 3-day stage race. The course covers 170k of biking and 60k of running, over single track mountain trails, rural farmland, and country roads across northwestern Costa Rica. Choose to register in either the team relay or solo divisions. Each day all the athletes will begin from a central staging area. Relay team members will complete their individual leg either biking or running and their race standing for that day will be based on their combined time.  Solo athletes will complete the entire course. There are a total of six different routes (two per day), offering athletes a unique Costa Rican experience on each leg. Teams will be allowed to alternate designated runner to rider and vice versa but changes must be made to roster at least 12 hours in advance.
The concept for this event is based in part on the history of the region where it will be held. Guanacaste, Costa Rica’s “Wild West”, is a dry landscape where cattle ranching dates back to the 1500’s. It has maintained much of its historic flavor and tradition and it is not unlikely that bikers/runners may encounter working ranch hands strapping their horse to a hitching post outside a local cantina or barber shop. These cowboys, who are known here as sabaneros (a name that derives from the Spanish word for “savanna” or “grassland”), still ride and work the vast tracts of rolling farmland belonging to large haciendas. Against this backdrop, it’s easy to imagine a time, not so long ago, when many things were handled the “cowboy way”, with disputes sometimes settled at the end of a pistol or in some other ‘dueling’ fashion, fought over a point of honor.
“Duel in the Sun is an event that pays homage to a simpler and more honorable time, where challenges were issued point-blank and courage was called out in a very public way in small communities. A person’s fight or flight response was on full display. To fight meant to defend your honor and all the things you believed in and held dear” remarks Tim Holmstrom, Race Director and Event Founder.
“This event is as much about experiencing the natural beauty of Costa Rica as it is the challenge itself. The course combines the unique ‘Old West’ feel of this magnificent region, with a formidable test of strength, will and endurance, as athletes push themselves to duel it out in these rolling hills that speak of a hardscrabble and rugged past…a true Pura Vida challenge” says Holmstrom. “It also offers the variety of multi-sport, and is a short enough commitment that families and adventure traveler guests can combine their trip with a few extra days to explore other parts of Costa Rica”
In addition to all the breathtaking views, cultural experiences, and good times with comrades at the staging campsite…all participants will receive:
• Transportation to/from San Jose, Costa Rica and the race start/finish.
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day during the race prepared by food nutritionists and a professional catering staff.
• Evening Campsite Location including dining, shower, and toilet facilities.
• Complimentary race support and gear transfer throughout the course.
• Aid Stations for Competitors including fresh fruit, bottled water, electrolyte drinks, sodas and more.
• Medical Assistance from qualified U.S. and Costa Rican Medical Doctors, EMTs, and on-site ambulance.
• Relaxed camp atmosphere at night with local entertainment (marimba bands).
• A complete competitor schwag bag including useful, functional, and fun gear from sponsors.
• Event wrap and dinner party.
Registration for Duel in the Sun is limited to the first 200 competitors. The entry fee is $1350 and a deposit of $675 is required to reserve a spot. Registration is limited to the first 200 who sign up and closes once all slots are full or by June 25th, 2007. Payment can be made by credit card (active.com), bank wire transfer, or check. Deposits are non-refundable following June 20th, 2007. However, should you register and become unable to compete for any reason, notify us at least 90 days (June 20th, 2007) prior to the event. You will receive a full refund. Please see full registration and payment details on the events registration page on Active.com.
For additional information about the event contact [email protected] or visit the website www.duelinthesun.com
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