North Face Endurance Run is a Fun, Fall Race

Sorry for getting this out so late … We received this submission a couple of weeks ago.

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It’s time to lace up those sneakers for those crazy enough and healthy enough to run The North Face Endurance Challenge next weekend (Sept. 24-25) at the Park City Mountain Resort.

Registration is still open for the Park City race, which is one of six locations included in the North American series. Even if you’re not a hard core endurance junkie, the event covers seven distances ranging from a 5k to 50 miles.

I ran the 50k during Park City’s inaugural North Face event in 2014. It was probably my favorite ultra that summer! Not only is it a beautiful time of year, the trails along the Wasatch back are world-class.

You run through world-renowned Park City Mountain Resort on double and single track, ski runs, mountain bike trails and dirt access roads. I can’t think of a more spectacular way to spend a Fall day in Park City.

The branding that goes along with a North Face race typically means you’re getting a well-run, well-marked, and fully fuelled race. In its 9th year, The North Face Endurance Challenge Series pushes athletes to run their best race while promoting the sport of ultra-trail running. I’d say their sponsorship generates positive publicity, which should be the goal for any big brand.

The volunteers are extremely helpful, so be sure to thank them and always be polite.The aid stations are stocked with pb&j sandwiches, fruit, salty snacks, water and electrolytes. I got a nice technical tee and a finisher’s medal. Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes also spoke the morning of the 50k, at least he did in 2014.

The North Face brand paired with Karnazes to form this endurance running series in 2006 after Karnazes’ quest to run 50 marathons, in 50 states, in 50 days in what was otherwise known as The North Face Endurance 50.

What’s special about the Park City race is the verts in the breath-taking mountains. The course starts at the highest elevation within the North American series at 7,000 feet and climbs to the highest as well at 10,000 feet.
“Bring your legs and your lungs,” as eloquently described on the event’s website.