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THE COASTAL CHALLENGE
EXPEDITION RUN:
COSTA RICA UNVEILS NEW 2006 COURSE DESCRIPTION SANTA MONICA, CALIF - The Coastal Challenge, LLC today announced a course description and route plan for the next edition of The Coastal Challenge Expedition Run: Costa Rica. After the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural event the race will be returning to a region of Costa Rica that was immensely popular with the entire field of 72 competitors and their 16 guests. In the wake of glowing reviews and compelling articles in major running magazines that followed last years event, an even larger turnout is expected this year. An even broader international field than the 8 countries represented in 2005 is expected. Two significant changes have been made to the original course design. One is that there will be much more emphasis placed on “point to point” racing in an attempt to eliminate travel between stage starts and finishes. This reduces logistical snags, curtails additional travel fatigue for competitors and will allow for more downtime before and after each race leg. “Another exciting improvement will be an even more balanced approach to terrain,” said Race Director Tim Holmstrom. “We will be taking full advantage of Costa Rica’s rich scenic diversity by including a great combination of highland trails, cloud forest, stunning coastlines and breathtaking mountain ranges. Due to the success of the 2005 Coastal Challenge and our efforts at minimizing any environmental impact, we are excited to announce that with the cooperation of the Parks Department more of the course this year will go through some of the countries most beautiful National Park lands and coastal trails. This will go a long way towards providing alternating running surfaces and reduce the amount of time spent running off-camber on sand and beach trails.” The Coastal Challenge (www.thecoastalchallenge.com) is the world's only "Expedition Run,"(TM) releasing runners over 250 kilometers of exotic and wild Costa Rican coastline. For seven days, runners embrace the spirit of adventure, discovery and camaraderie within a long distance running competition while navigating beaches, rock outcroppings, wide river crossings, pristine coastal rainforests and highland mountain ranges. It is an expedition run of epic proportions, equally defined by introducing competitors to the hospitality of the local Tica culture with several evenings of music and fiesta at encampments on or near the beach. You can check out more information at www.thecoastalchallenge.com
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