Eco-Challenge® North American Championship Announces Open Registration - Triathlon Week

Robert G. · 01-17-2003, 12:18 PM

TORONTO, CANADA (Jan 14, 2003) – Eco-Challenge Productions and Menzie Marketing Co. announced today the creation of the Eco-Challenge North American Championship. Building on the success of the 2002 Canadian Qualifier, the event will be expanded to allow both Canadian and American teams an additional opportunity to qualify for the Eco-Challenge World Championship.

Tentative dates for the Eco-Challenge North American Championship are July 14-20, 2003 and the exact race location will be announced in weeks forthcoming. The race is open to all co-ed teams of four. Teams can apply online as of Monday, January 27, 2003 at www.adventureracingcanada.com.

While most teams will be racing to experience the magnanimous Canadian wilderness, some will be competing for one of four highly coveted entries to the 2003 Eco-Challenge World Championship.

The 2002 Eco-Challenge Canadian Championship was held in Golden, BC in August and was well received by competitors and the public alike. Three teams: Team Running Free (Toronto), Team ARC (Calgary) and Team WAR (Seattle) all earned spots to race in Eco-Challenge’s marquis event in Fiji this past October. With a bevy of remarkable locations within Canada from which to choose, Race Director Steve Menzie will ensure an unforgettable experience that will test and thrill all who participate.

“Eco-Challenge stands for adventure and Canada continues to offer unlimited resources and untouched terrain worthy of a truly epic racecourse. As we continue to see the Eco-Challenge brand grow, the North American Championship represents another important step in bringing the best racers to the World Championship,” said Mark Burnett, Executive Producer and Founder of Eco-Challenge. “Having worked closely with Steve in the past, and based on the success of the 2002 race, I am confident that the North American Championship will be an outstanding race worthy of the Eco-Challenge brand.”

Along with producing the Eco-Challenge Canadian Championship in 2002, Menzie co-founded Canada’s largest series “The Subaru Adventure Racing” series. In addition, Menzie produced the 2001 and 2002 Eco-Challenge Expo for USA Network. Menzie also captained one of only 21 finishing teams in the inaugural Eco-Challenge in Utah ’95.

According to Steve Menzie, “Eco-Challenge is unquestionably the World’s Toughest Expedition Race, and is a powerful brand that is gaining broader appeal. Our goal is to continue to build the Eco-Challenge brand and to create a viable means for teams to gain entry to Eco-Challenge. It will be rewarding to watch rookie teams compete alongside some of the top teams in the sport in some of the world’s greatest terrain.

Information updates on the event will be available at www.adventureracingcanada.com as of January 27, 2003. For further information on Eco-Challenge Productions, please visit www.ecochallenge.com.