MARS HILL, Maine — Early-bird registration ends at midnight tonight for the second annual Mars Hill Mountain Challenge, which will be held Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at Bigrock Ski Area, located on 37 Graves Road.
The event is an adventure obstacle race which features the alpine terrain of Bigrock, with a variety of natural and man-made obstacles spread out over the five-kilometer course.
“If you are looking for an event that will push you to the limit, this is for you,” said race director Ryan Guerrette. “The long-range forecast for weather looks great and it should be a great day.”
Last year’s race, which was held in September, raised over $12,000 for Bigrock and proved to the largest fundraiser of the year. Guerrette is hoping to increase that total and said the course will be very similar to last year’s, but there will be some new obstacles “and a few surprises along the course.”
Guerrette said as of Monday morning, 150 had signed up for the event. Registrations will also be accepted through Saturday, but after midnight tonight $10 will be added to the original entry fee of $65. The field will max out at 500 competitors and will be divided into waves that will depart from the start every half hour beginning at 10 a.m., with the final one set to take off at 2 p.m.
The Mars Hill Mountain Challenge is open to competitors ages 13 and older, but is geared to those 18 years of age and older.
Those under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a release form at check-in the day of the race.
The fee of $65 will entitle individuals to a race T-shirt and a ski lift ticket to Bigrock good for the 2015-16 season.
Individuals can also register to be part of a four-person team, with the team’s time being the average of each individual’s finish time.
Registration and bib pick-up will be offered Friday, Aug. 14 from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 15 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Individual awards will be presented to the top male and female finishers in the under-30, 30-39 and 40-and-older age divisions. The top three teams will also receive awards.
A barbecue lunch and a beer garden will be available and both are open to the public, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Heath Bartley will be on site with live music from 2:30-4:30 p.m. The awards ceremony gets underway at 4:30 p.m.
A Kids’ 1K Fun Run will be held beginning at 4 p.m. It is designed for ages 5-12. It is a scaled-down course including uphill and downhill running, dirt, mud, small obstacles and snow guns. There will be two waves — one for 5-9 year-olds and the other for 10-12 year-olds. Registrations will be accepted from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on the day of the race and will cap out at 100 participants. The fee for the Fun Run is $20 per person and each registrant will receive a finish medal and a take-away item. Participants should bring clothes and shoes they don’t mind getting dirty.
“The kids race is longer than last year and will have more mud and water,” Guerrette said. “We are encouraging the public to come support both the adult and kids races. It is fan friendly as we have plenty of obstacles at the bottom of the mountain so people can see them.”
Guerrette said he was thankful for the many sponsors who have come on board to make the event possible.
Registration can be completed by visiting the website marshillmountainchallenge.racewire.com.
For more information, contact Guerrette via email at ryanguerrette@bigrockmaine.com or go to the website www.marshillmountainchallenge.com.
