New York City Overrun by Lunatics

New York - Dateline: May 10th, 2001

NEW YORK CITY OVERRUN BY LUNATICS IN HEADLAMPS AND HARNESSES

A pack of shadowy figures runs through Manhattan, each equipped with a helmet, backpack, knife, hydration system and harness: Is it some sort of super-hero tribe? Gang of highway robbers? Troop of hypochondriacs? Nay, none of these. They are that rare breed - urban adventure racers.

The New York Adventure Racing Association (NYARA) and Peak Adventures invite endurance athletes to participate in NYC Extreme, the first urban adventure race to use everything New York has to offer. The NYC Extreme race will cover more than 100 miles of ground and 2000 meters of elevation over the course of two days. Racers will rappell off the aircraft carrier Intrepid, swim to Battery Park from the Statue of Liberty, climb to the top of the Empire State Building, kayak around Manhattan, and explore caves beneath the city, just to name a few events.

"One of the fun parts of this race will be watching people watch the race," said racecourse designer and NYARA co-founder Chris Ballou. "If a checkpoint is at, say, 54th and 5th Avenue, I would say that the curiosity factor would be high."

Race registration will open in early January 2002, and the entry fee is expected to be approximately $1,200.00. The race producers plan to have the event certified by the United States Adventure Racing Association (USARA).

NYARA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to spreading news about adventure racing and maintaining a network among New Yorkers with a nasty jones for the outdoors. NYARA members have access to training clinics and association-sponsored races that teach skills necessary in adventure racing.

Keep your eyes open for more news about adventure racing in the world's greatest city, from the only organization with the resources and know-how to bring it on.

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