The Mid-Atlantic Region will have a second year opportunity to be part of The North Face Endurance Challenge series (four regional events and the Endurance Challenge Championship in San Francisco, CA) which will be contested on Saturday, September 6, 2008. The start and finish festival area will be at Algonkian State Regional Park in Sterling, VA.

The Endurance Challenge provides a solid balance between the dedicated endurance athlete and those individuals simply curious about endurance. The Challenge will include the following distances: 10K (2-hour limit), half-marathon (4-hour limit), Accelerade 50K (31 miles, 9-hour limit), and 50 miles (13-hour limit). The majority of the course will be along trails and some paved surfaces. This is an opportunity to try something different and pass on the street racing and hit the trail and get closer to nature, test yourself. What does it take and are you up for the challenge?

According to Wikipedia endurance is defined as, "the ability for humans and animals to exert themselves through aerobic or anaerobic exercise for relatively long periods of time. The definition of "long" varies according to the type of exertion - minutes for high intensity anaerobic exercise, hours or days for low intensity. Training for endurance can have a negative impact on the ability to exert strength unless an individual also undertakes resistance training to counteract this effect."

Visit The North Face store in Tysons Corner, McLean, VA to learn more about the Endurance Challenge (703-917-0111). Registration has closed for this year's local event. Interested athletes are encouraged to volunteer at this year's North Face Endurance Challenge; volunteers will receive priority registration for next year's Endurance Challenge.

The top three male/female finishers in the 10K, half-marathon and 50K will receive The North Face gear package. The regional 50-mile top three male/female finishers will receive the following cash prizes: $1000, $600, $350. The overall male/female winners in the 50-miler in each regional event will receive a round-trip airfare, a two (2) night hotel stay, and a complimentary entry into the Endurance Challenge National Championship in San Francisco, CA, on December 6, 2008. If you are not able to run, volunteers will be needed for the entire day of the event. The volunteers are a vital part of The Endurance Challenge requires those who like being outdoors. The volunteers serve as the motivation for the athletes along the course and through the aid stations. Volunteers will be needed for the in-store pick-up on Thursday and Friday prior to race day, start and finish festival area (Algonkian State Regional Park), course marshals, and aid stations which are ideal for running clubs or other groups. The aid stations will be along the trails.

To volunteer, contact George Banker at (301-537-6739) or send an e-mail to volunteers@hawkeyeww.com.

The official charity of The North Face Challenge is KARNO KIDS. Check out this web site which is a non-profit 501c3 that provides direct financial support to organizations and programs that are focused on improving the health and wellness of our youth, and restoring and preserving the environment and urban open-spaces.

Full race details can be found at www.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge.