O2X Summit Challenges is an ATRA corporate member. Press release from O2X Summit Challenges.
WINTER PARK, COLORADO – The O2X Summit Challenge Series, in partnership with lululemon athletica, will bring its physically and mentally demanding brand of off-trail racing to Winter Park’s Mary Jane.
Described by Outside magazine as a “new breed of … obstacle race,” the O2X Summit Challenge at Winter Park is scheduled for Saturday, August 15.
The expertly designed off-trail course — featuring natural challenges like rocky stream crossings, fallen trees and steep scrambles — is built to test the endurance, agility and perseverance of every participant, concluding with a stunning summit finish and a spectator-friendly festival vibe at BaseCamp.
lululemon is the sole presenting partner and the exclusive apparel supplier of the 2015 O2X Summit Series. At every event on the 2015 calendar, lululemon will be on site with one-of-a-kind guest experiences and exclusive lululemon O2X gear.
“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 your average trail run, OCR or mountain race. This is climbing, crawling, scrambling and a healthy dose of the unexpected.”
The O2X Summit Challenge takes trail running off trail with a professionally-designed course seeking out only natural-challenges: riverbeds, ravines, rock faces and timed scrambles through technical, rugged terrain. A summit finish awaits participants at an elevation of 11,200 feet, and after a scenic lift ride back to BaseCamp where the lululemon recovery tent as well as local food and beverages await.
The Winter Park course will challenge hard-core runners but can be hiked by most. Wending its way through the most rugged terrain the mountain has to offer, the five-mile course will gain over 2,000 vertical feet over multiple pitches and rough terrain. Fast 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 Short Sleeve, Kill Cliff recovery drink and Crazy Mountain 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 Winter Park O2X Summit Challenge kicks off with a pre-race party at BaseCamp in front of Winter Park Base Lodge on Friday from 4 – 10 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 a.m., with an anticipated award ceremony start of 1 p.m.
At BaseCamp, spectators can 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 CHALLENGES
2015 O2X Summit Challenge Series, created in partnership with lululemon athletica, includes events at Grouse Mountain, British Columbia (July 11), Winter Park, Colorado (August 15) and Loon Mountain, New Hampshire (October 3). Taking trail running off the trail and adding natural challenges, a summit finish and a festival atmosphere, O2X Summit Challenge courses are tailored to runners, weekend hikers and mountain lovers looking to test their mettle. 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. For more information and to register for the O2X Summit Challenge at Winter Park, go to http://www.o2x.com/challenge/winter-park.
