2nd Annual Red Bull

News Release
May 10, 2005
Loryn Kasten
970-247-9000 x237
lkasten@durangomountain.com

RED BULL DIVIDE & CONQUER RETURNS

One-day mountain sports relay tests athletes endurance

Durango, CO –The 2nd Annual Red Bull Divide & Conquer will return to southwest Colorado June 18. Fashioned after the famed European Red Bull Dolomitenmann extreme relay race, Red Bull Divide & Conquer features four-person relay teams tackling trail running, paragliding, kayaking and mountain biking in a one-day mountain sports relay beginning in Silverton, Colorado and finishing at Durango Mountain Resort.

"Last year's Red Bull Divide & Conquer race literally brought some of the world's toughest athletes to their knees," says Patrick Harper, course designer and professional adventure racing athlete. "This year, competitors won't just be challenged, they will be humbled."

The course runs through dramatic terrain along the Continental Divide, in a region that is home to more 14,000 foot peaks than any other location in North America. The race's low point is just shy of 7,000 feet and the highest point is above 13,000 feet. Southwestern Colorado was selected as the location for Red Bull Divide & Conquer because of the similarities of the topography to Europe’s Dolomites, where the Red Bull Dolomitenmann is held.

The one-day event begins in Silverton near Kendall Mountain with 7.5 miles of rigorous mountain trail running and 6,000 feet of elevation gain. The baton is then handed off to the paragliders, who will hike to their launch location at 13,100 feet, the highest paragliding launch in competition history. Upon landing, kayakers will run the legendary Upper Animas River, 27 miles of Class IV and V whitewater down through Rockwood Gorge, sure to be flowing strong after a high snow-pack Colorado winter. The fourth and final leg features mountain biking from the banks of the Animas River up 7,000 vertical feet over 27 miles, starting with a dramatic 4-mile, 3,000 foot climb across the Continental Divide. Racers will then drop into Durango Mountain Resort, twisting and turning their way down the 1990 World Cup Championship course before crossing the finish line in Purgatory Village.

Teams will compete for $17,500 in prize money, as well as the opportunity to compete in the 18th annual Red Bull Dolomitenmann this September in Austria. The Red Bull Divide & Conquer is open to male and female expert-only athletes with a maximum of 50 teams. Entry into the competition is free, and entrants must have verified adventure racing credentials or references. Information and applications are available at www.redbulldivideandconquer.com. Individual athletes are encouraged to visit the "Team Search" section of the website to find teams; pre-established teams of four may register online or email Patrick Harper at pharper111@aol.com.

Purgy's Beach and the Village Plaza at Purgatory Mountain are the prime spots to check out all the Red Bull Divide & Conquer action, with a front row view of the finish line, live entertainment, food, fun and more. Spectators are invited to bring their cowbells and root for their favorite competitors. Last year many local athletes conquered the course, including NORBA Champion Ned Overend, whose team came in a close fourth place.