Document Actions
What's an Eco-Challenge?
In 1992, Mark Burnett created the Eco-Challenge. He based his idea on the multi-sport endurance races that had been so popular in New Zealand since the early 80's and had also started to emerge in Europe. He lengthened the race, removed assistance crews and added a strong environmental message, reflected in the race rules and associated local service projects.
Eco-Challenge is now the world's premier Expedition Race. The Eco-Challenge is the ultimate adventure. It's the world's toughest Expedition Race. It's epic, gritty and unpredictable.
Each team of four, comprised of men and women, races non-stop, 24-hours a day, over a rugged 300-mile (500km) course, participating in such disciplines as trekking, whitewater canoeing, horseback riding, sea kayaking, scuba diving, mountaineering and mountain biking. It's an Expedition Race against time, pitting the dramatic forces of Mother Nature against the skill and experience of world-class adventure athletes.
The Eco-Challenge transcends physical fitness and the individual; its very essence lies in team dynamics and the ability to solve problems under constant stress, including little sleep and limited food. If one person quits or is injured, the entire team is disqualified. To succeed is to finish as a team; to win demands something extraordinary.
The Eco-Challenge is based on the philosophy that interaction with the environment requires both a knowledge of and respect for the terrain through which the race travels. Each event is designed to have minimum impact on the land and encourages a "leave no trace" philosophy.
For racers, media, TV crews and event staff, strict environmental guidelines must be followed: hiking and biking on existing trails where possible; choosing camping sites that do not disrupt soil or vegetation and that are at least 300 feet from isolated water sources; the use of only approved stoves and the prohibition of campfires; a ”pack it in, pack it out“ approach covering personal belongings and rubbish; and participating in a local environmental community service project. As a result, the Eco-Challenge has established a positive reputation throughout the world, and each year countries vie for the privilege of hosting the race, eager to showcase their amazing landscape without having to worry about lingering negative impacts on the environment.
The next Eco-Challenge to be held ”in the first quarter of 2004“ at a site to be determined.
—Exerpts taken from ecochallenge.com and usanetwork.com
To find out more about Eco-Challenge please visit:
http://www.ecochallenge.com/
http://www.usanetwork.com/sports/ecochallengenz
Each team of four, comprised of men and women, races non-stop, 24-hours a day, over a rugged 300-mile (500km) course, participating in such disciplines as trekking, whitewater canoeing, horseback riding, sea kayaking, scuba diving, mountaineering and mountain biking. It's an Expedition Race against time, pitting the dramatic forces of Mother Nature against the skill and experience of world-class adventure athletes.
The Eco-Challenge transcends physical fitness and the individual; its very essence lies in team dynamics and the ability to solve problems under constant stress, including little sleep and limited food. If one person quits or is injured, the entire team is disqualified. To succeed is to finish as a team; to win demands something extraordinary.
The Eco-Challenge is based on the philosophy that interaction with the environment requires both a knowledge of and respect for the terrain through which the race travels. Each event is designed to have minimum impact on the land and encourages a "leave no trace" philosophy.
For racers, media, TV crews and event staff, strict environmental guidelines must be followed: hiking and biking on existing trails where possible; choosing camping sites that do not disrupt soil or vegetation and that are at least 300 feet from isolated water sources; the use of only approved stoves and the prohibition of campfires; a ”pack it in, pack it out“ approach covering personal belongings and rubbish; and participating in a local environmental community service project. As a result, the Eco-Challenge has established a positive reputation throughout the world, and each year countries vie for the privilege of hosting the race, eager to showcase their amazing landscape without having to worry about lingering negative impacts on the environment.The next Eco-Challenge to be held ”in the first quarter of 2004“ at a site to be determined.
—Exerpts taken from ecochallenge.com and usanetwork.com
To find out more about Eco-Challenge please visit:
http://www.ecochallenge.com/
http://www.usanetwork.com/sports/ecochallengenz
14 may Self Transcendence 2 miles, edinburgh
20. Int. Self-Transcendence 12+24 Hour Race Basel, Switzerland
