Costa Rica's Coastal Challenge Opens Registration
by Natasha Nowakowski

Santa Monica, CA - The Coastal Challenge, the world’s first “Expedition Run”™, will open online registration for the January 2006 Costa Rica based foot race next Monday, April 18, at 12 p.m. (noon) PST. Runners and guests can sign up for the seven day event at http://www.thecoastalchallenge.com.

The Coastal Challenge is an expedition run and week-long festival designed to attract an array of long-time endurance athletes as well as novice eco-adventure travelers.

The race and after-party events are staged over seven days along 250 kilometers of Costa Rica’s rugged Pacific Coast.

Elite competitors from around the world will battle for the sport’s largest prize purse at us$20,000, while guests and other festival goers will enjoy an amazing eco-adventure tour with daily scheduled activities.

Registration for the 2006 Coastal Challenge will be broken out into five categories for competitors and guests. Solo Competitors can compete for the prize money, while Two-Person Relays or Teams of up to four can sign up to enjoy the experience together. As a unique twist from many existing adventure events, runners can skip a stage of the course if need be to recover or just relax and still continue. Although only solo competitors who complete the entire course within certain guidelines are eligible for prize money.

Also unique to the event, The Coastal Challenge encourages people to join the festivities even if not participating in the run by signing up for one of two Guests Packages.

“The Coastal Challenge is inspired by competition, camaraderie and cultural experience – all set within one of the world’s most spectacular settings,” Holmstrom added. “And even if you only want to run part of the course, we’ll transport you to the next stage so you can continue. We’re not kicking anyone out for taking a day off to save injury or even just relax within the spectacular scenery.”

While all of the Competitor and Guest packages in The Coastal Challenge offer unique options and experiences, most of the event’s incredible amenities and activities are included as standard for each. Some things included across the board include:

- Transportation to/from San Jose, Costa Rica and the race start/finish.

· Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day during the race prepared by food nutritionists and a professional catering staff.

· Evening Campsite Locations including dining, shower, and toilet facilities.

· Evening entertainment, musical events, local cultural experiences and festival activities throughout the course.

· Transportation for Guests to key stops throughout the course including start, finish and camp locations.

· Complementary race support and gear transfer throughout the course.

· Aid Stations for Competitors including fresh fruit, bottled water, electrolyte drinks, sodas and more.

· Medical Assistance from qualified U.S. and Costa Rican Medical Doctors, EMTs, and an on call Medical Helicopter.

· Event wrap and dinner party.

· A complete Competitor schwag bag including useful, functional, and fun schwag provided from sponsors.

The long distance runner’s race will span one week. Each day competitors will travel approximately 35 kilometers (21 miles) while each night they will refuel, reflect and connect with the land and people from coastal villages. Competitors and Guests will camp on some of Costa Rica’s most spectacular beaches, listening to the surf while sleeping under the stars.