The Coastal Challenge: Protecting and Preserving the Environment
Organizers Weigh the Benefits of a Registration Cap

Santa Monica, CA (Nov. 3, 2004) - The Coastal Challenge: Expedition Run, a running adventure slated for January of 2005 in Costa Rica, announced today a registration cap for its inaugural event. The Coastal Challenge staff is working closely with the Costa Rican Parks Department to ensure that the environmental impact to the pristine and fragile ecosystem is kept to a minimum. Although there has been an unprecedented response from athletes who wish to participate in this most unique event, the Costa Rican Parks Department and The Coastal Challenge staff agreed that there should be no more than 100 athletes traversing the environmentally sensitive area of the Sirena Ranger Station in Stage 6 of the race.

Race Director Tim Holmstrom said, “We could easily divert the course and bypass the park altogether, but that would be a great shame, so we will simply respect the wishes of the Corcovado’s park officials and cap our registration at 100 competitors for this first year. We are sensitive to their concerns and this will allow us the opportunity to prove that we are exceptional stewards of the rainforest and hopefully be granted greater latitude in the future.”

In addition to respecting the environment through course design and a participant cap, The Coastal Challenge recognizes and shares the concerns of the Corcovado National Park and will create a foundation that will help pay for additional park rangers to live and work in the park so that it will be better protected and preserved in its natural state.

You can check out more information at http://www.thecoastalchallenge.com

"Take on the distance...Take on the elements...Take on the adventure..."

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