The North Face

Feb 05 | The North Face Endurance Challenge Series Registration Opens Today

By The North Face

 

Ready. Set. Go. Registration for the seventh annual The North Face Endurance Challenge Series, presented by GORE-TEX, is now open for all six events in different locations across the US throughout 2013.

The North Face athlete Stephanie Howe placed 2nd in the GORE-TEX 50 Mile 2013

From May through December 2013, six events will be held across the country as part of the Endurance Challenge Series, hosted by world renowned ultrarunner and The North Face athlete Dean Karnazes.The first race of the year kicks off in New York, then to Washington, DC, Wisconsin, Georgia and a road event in Missouri in downtown Kansas City. The Endurance Challenge Series will culminate at the Championship event in California where men’s and women’s top finishes are recognized and rewarded including the coveted grand prize of $10,000 for the GORE-TEX 50 mile finishers.

• Endurance Challenge New York – May 4-5 (Trail)
• Endurance Challenge Washington, D.C. – June 1-2 (Trail)
• Endurance Challenge Wisconsin – September 14-15 (Trail)
• Endurance Challenge Georgia – September 28-29 (Trail)
• Endurance Challenge Missouri – November 16 (Road)
• Endurance Challenge California – December 7-8 (Trail)

Trail events will be held over two days, with the GORE-TEX 50 Mile, 50K, Marathon, Marathon Relay and Kid’s 1K race held on Saturday, and the Half Marathon, 10K, 5K races and Kid’s 1K race held on Sunday. Missouri will be a one-day road event in downtown Kansas City, with the 50K, Marathon, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Kid’s Race all held on Saturday.

Get in on the fun, pick your distance and register by visiting http://www.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge. Then pick out some new training and race day gear, like our athlete-tested Better Than Naked shorts and crews. 

 

Jan 08 | Timothy Olson Joins The North Face Global Athlete Team

By The North Face

Today The North Face officially announced the news that world-renowned ultrarunner Timothy Olson, 29, of Ashland, Ore. has joined its global athlete team of more than 75 professional athletes, which includes runners, snowboarders, skiers, rock climbers and mountaineers.

“Timothy has the passion exploration that we all share at The North Face, “ said Aaron Carpenter, vice president of marketing for The North Face. “The joy he gets from running in the outdoors, and pushing his mental and physical limits is inspiring to the entire The North Face family. We are excited to work with him in accomplishing his goals.”

Oslon racing to victory at Western States 100 in June

Relatively new to ultra-running, Timothy started racing competitively in 2009 and has made his mark on the sport in just a few short years. In June 2012, he earned an impressive course record at the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run finishing with the first ever sub-15 hour time on the course at 14:46. He will be making his debut as a global team athlete for The North Face this coming weekend, Jan.12, at the Bandera 50k in Bandera, Tex. He won the 100k in 2012, which also serves as the USA Track & Field Trail 100k Championship, with a time of 8:28:40. He has a big has a big race schedule lined up for 2013 and he thinks Bandera will be a nice way to introduce his legs back to racing and be a good speed session to prepare for longer distance races in the spring. 

“The North Face has played a huge role in propelling the sport of ultra-running over the last decade. They’re not afraid to experiment to develop the highest quality of gear so I can travel light and efficiently through technical mountain terrain,” Timothy said. “I'm looking forward to the opportunity to see the world. There are many places I would like to explore and The North Face is making these dreams come true. “

Timothy runnnig the course ahead of The North Face Endurance Challenge Championships in December

Timothy, a licensed Massage Therapist, will be working closely with The North Face Research, Design and Development team, on performance apparel and footwear. His expertise and experience will add to the rapidly developing collection. When he’s not running or working, Timothy loves to relax with his wife Krista and their young son Tristan. 

“The North Face is all about encouraging people of all ages to enjoy and explore the great outdoors, respecting and protecting the land while nourishing their bodies with fresh air and exercise,” he said. “This is very important to me as I hope to inspire others including my newborn son to spend more and more time outdoors, remembering that the wilderness is our playground with endless possibilities to discover and for the imagination to run wild. “

The North Face ultra-running Team includes Jez Bragg, Sébastien Chaigneau, Lizzy Hawker, Tsuyoshi Kaburaki, Dean Karnazes, Nikki Kimball, Hall Koerner, Kami Semick, Diane Van Deren, Michael Wardian and Mike Wolfe. 

Welcome to the family!

Dec 11 | High School Student Embarks on Expedition to Support Outdoor Nation

By The North Face

Mike Foote (Left) and Adam Peterman (Right) training for their expedition by climbing Stuart Peak in Montana

Next week, high school senior Adam Peterman of Missoula, Mont. will attempt to bike, hike and scramble his way from the lowest point in the contigious US to the highest in an effort to inspire more youth to get outside. As part of his senior project, Adam will travel from Badwater in Death Valley, Calif., to the 14,505-foot summit of Mount Whitney beginning December 20 and attempt to reach California’s highest peak in less than 48 hours entirely under his own steam.

Our very own Mike Foote, who won The North Face Endurance Challenge Chile in October and came in third overall at the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc earlier this year, is Adam's cross-country coach and project mentor and will act as the support crew during the expedition.

The goal of the expedition is to raise money and awareness to benefit Outdoor Nation, which is dedicated to reconnecting millennials with the outdoors. Outdoor Nation host summits around the country, awards grants for outstanding project ideas, leads outdoor activities and works with youth in an effort to mobilize a movement to get the next generation of outdoor leaders. Peterman’s goal is to raise $5,000 through his Outdoor Nation Crowdrise page.

The inspiring and active Adam wanted this senior project to combine his passion for exploration, while also helping other kids his age connect with nature – particularly those who don’t have easy access to front-country recreation. 

Adam and Mike setting up the Mountain 25, which they'll use when camping at Whitney Portal

“Living in a city as accessible to the outdoors as Missoula, Montana makes it easy to forget how fortunate I am to live in a place as so connected to wilderness,” says Peterman, “this is a very rare opportunity to have, and above all other factors in my life, I feel like developing a passion for the outdoors has benefited me the most.  I would like other people my age to be able to experience the same, and the nonprofit Outdoor Nation does just that.” 

The attempt will be split into two days, the first day consisting of the 135-mile biking section, made famous by the Badwater Ultra Marathon, and the second spent hiking the 22-mile round trip to Mount Whitney’s summit. Peterman hopes to accomplish this 135-mile ride in 15 hours, where he will finish at the trailhead to Mount Whitney and make ascent to the mountain’s peak.

Donations to Peterman’s expedition to support the next generation of outdoor leaders can be made through Crowdrise for a chance to win gear from The North Face. Follow Peterman’s expedition on Facebook, the expedition official website and The North Face Never Stop Exploring Blog.

Dec 06 | Stephanie Howe - The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship GORE-TEX 50 Mile Race Report

By The North Face

Wow, what a day! I cannot express in words how unbelievably happy I was with my race. To finish the season with such a high despite the set back I had this fall was amazing! I could not have been more excited!

Photo Credit: Ken Schuh, Ultra Race Photos

The race was epic in so many ways. It was pouring rain, muddy, foggy, and windy theentire race. In a way it took a little edge off racing and more focus on just trying to stay upright in the mud. I actually had a blast racing and found myself smiling during most of the race. I think attitude is really important in a race like this. I would have been really easy to get upset because the conditions were so bad, but it would have negatively affected my race. I tend to do well in races with adverse conditions because I keep a good attitude. I kept thinking to myself while I was racing "how cool is it that I'm outside, running right now?" 

Photo Credit: The North Face

Early Blur | Photo Credit: The North Face

The starting line, as always at a North Face Endurance Challenge, was full of energy and excitement. Despite the conditions, runners were laughing and smiling; excited to take on this challenge.

The first few miles were a nice easy warm up. It was really hard to see much with all the rain and fog, so it was easy to start conservatively. I felt really good as I settled in to the first long climb at a steady, rhythmic pace. It was so quiet and zen like and things were going really well. I had a good feeling about my race.

Photo Credit: Ken Schuh, Ultra Race Photos

After a few hours the sun came up it started to get light out and I found finally see what was around me. I had no idea what place I was in, and I didn't really care. I was determined to run my own race and have fun while doing it. I just focused on taking care of myself and trying to fuel every 20 minutes or so. In the past I've waited too long to start taking gels and ended up paying for it later. This race I made a point to start early and to keep it up throughout the race. I tried to get at least 2 gels down each hour.

After passing through Muir beach aid station (mile 13 ) I got a split that I was in third place. I knew that I was feeling good, but I had no idea I was doing that well. Although I was excited, I didn't change anything. There was a lot of running left to do, and I didn't want to get overzealous.

Photo Credit: Ken Schuh, Ultra Race Photo

Near the end of the first lap and I caught and passed Emelie [Forsberg], and moved into 2nd place. As we lapped through, I picked up my pacer and (slowly) started chasing down Maud [Gobert], who was leading. Emelie and I caught Maud at about the same point, and the three of us jockeyed for position over the next couple miles. Near the top of a climb, Emelie took the lead and started to gap the two of us a bit. Still, I kept my steady pace. I was more interested in feeling good toward the end than busting my butt mid-race to maintain contact with Emelie.

Somehow in the mix of chaos at one of the aid stations I lost my pacer. It was actually a good thing because I was able to pick her up again later in the race. This allowed me to really focus on what I was doing. I tried to make some small talk with Maud and her pacer, but quickly found out they spoke French (I had no idea).

The last 5 miles of the race were tough. I was starting to fatigue and really wanted to finish. I had closed the gap to less than a minute from the lead. As I passed through the aid station before the last 5 miles, I picked up my pacer again. Also, one of my teammates Jordan McDougal, was near me and slowed down to help pull me along. I could see Emelie and her pacer, Anna Frost, on the climb and tried my best to chase them down.

Photo Credit: Ken Schuh, Ultra Race Photo

As we approached the road at the last mile I knew I wasn't going to catch the lead. But I didn't care. I was so STOKED that I was in second. As we neared the finish line I could hear the energy of the crowd gathered despite the rain! It was so cool to see so many people out supporting the race.

As I rounded the corner and entered the finish shoot I had a big grin on my face. I was SO happy!!!

I crossed the finish line, totally spent and totally happy. The first person to congratulate me was Emelie, and I gave her a big hug. I was so impressed with her strength near the end of the race. She is one tough girl!

Congratulating Emelie at the finish |Photo Credit: Brett Rivers, San Francisco Running Company

I really have to thank my pacer for helping me endure the last few miles and remind Jordan that although I really appreciated his help, next race he had better not run with me :) I also really have to thank The North Face crew, they worked so hard to pull this race off. Lots of hard work and long hours went into making this event happen. I was so impressed with how they handled the situation when the weather threatened to cancel the race. It takes quite a team effort to pull off such a great event. THANK YOU!

Wow. I'm still blown away by my race. It was such a great day! I look forward to more races in the future…….AFTER a much needed break to ski, relax, and drink some hot cocoa.

For more details of Stephanie's podium-earning performance, check out the post-race interview with iRunFar, or the full  TNF 50 miler iRunFar recap.

Nov 28 | The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship Preview

By The North Face

The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship weekend is just around the corner and with rain expected to pummel the San Francisco Bay Area through Sunday, it should be a particularly exciting race. Both the men's and women's elite fields are deep with competition, and The North Face endurance team will be out in full force. 

Some of the The North Face endurance team that will be making a play for the first place finish in the Gore-Tex 50-miler and the $10,000 prize: Five-time Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc winner and 2013 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Nominee Lizzy Hawker, 2012 ECS Champ Mike Wolfe, 2012 UTMB 3rd Place Finisher Mike Foote, 2012 Hardrock 100 Winner Hal Koerner, 2012 Western States 100 2nd Place Finisher Rory Bosio, Mountains-to-Sea Trail Record Holder Diane Van Deren, 2010 USATF Ultrarunner of the Year Kami Semick and 2012 San Francisco Marathon Winner Devon Yanko (formerly Crosby-Helms).

Be sure to check out the full race preview and up-to-the-minute updates from our good friends Bryon Powell and Meghan Hicks at iRunFar.com.

Nov 20 | The North Face Ultra Challenge - Join, Run, Win!

By The North Face

The North Face® is excited to announce our partnership with Strava^TM to provide two opportunities this Fall to take on segment and global challenges to see how runners stack up on the Strava Segment Challenge Leaderboards.

Registered runners in the San Francisco Endurance Challenge on December 1-2 will have one mile segment challenges embedded into their courses, with leading men and women receiving prizes from Strava.

The North Face Global Ultra Challenge kicked off in October, challenging Strava members to run 50k during the weekend of the sold out Endurance Challenge Championships in San Francisco, CA December 1-2.  Even if someone can't be on-site in San Francisco pounding out the miles on December 1st or 2nd, they can still take part in the Championship by participating.

If you want to join The North Face Ultra Challenge, log into Strava (signup is free) and go to The North Face Global Ultra Challenge page to join.

On the weekend of the event, runners can record their run(s) using the Strava Run app or their own GPS enabled device and upload them to Strava to see how they stack up against fellow competitors. Athletes who complete the 50k Challenge will receive glory and the admiration of their peers, as well as a boost to their own level of fitness. Additionally, The North Face will select some "exceptional performances" to reward with some special surprises.

Once entered runners can spread the miles out over two days, or join the 50k race competitors on Saturday and do the entire distance in one run.

Strava's on-site participation at the Championships will be as follows:

There will be a one-mile Segment Challenge along the course on both Saturday and Sunday to challenge participants on a significant climb during the race.  They will have large 'Start' and 'Finish' flags to alert runners to the segment.  Prizes will be offered to the male and female winners, three deep, on each day.  

Strava will offer loaner Garmins, while supplies last, for participants interested in testing out the Strava experience with a GPS-enabled device.  

The Strava team will sponsor an aid station along the course.

Post-race, Strava will provide small towels to wipe off all that dirt and some warming/cooling goods depending on the weather.  

At the Festival, Strava will have upload stations for any participant who signed up for Strava or wanted to sign up for Strava to upload their run directly from their GPS watch right away and see how they did in the segment challenge.  This will also be an opportunity for them to get some free Strava goodies for uploading.  

Sep 25 | Ian Sharman: Endurance Challenged in Madison, WI

By The North Face

I've never been to the Midwest before, having mainly stuck to the coasts. So when The North Face offered me a chance to run in the third of six Endurance Challenges across the US at Madison, WI, I couldn't turn it down. Over the weekend of September 15-16, the event includes races from a kids' 1-miler to the flagship trail 50-miler which was the one for me, all hosted by Dean Karnazes.

Having seen the Championship event in San Francisco, I knew to expect a well-organized and fun race, albeit without the extremely deep field of that final event. So when the pre-dawn start forced the runners to leave the outdoor heaters and jog out in a stream of head-lamps, it's impossible not to get a thrill from the prospect of a day on new trails. 

The early miles went by quickly running and chatting with local Eric Senseman at the front seeing the whole field on the out-and-backs. As we hit sections of the Ice Age Trail in the dawn light there were fields of mist covering the prairies. The sandy and green scenery reminded me of running where I grew up in Northamptonshire in the UK, except with more defined trails. But the small hills hit us like waves, never big but fairly steep and definitely relentless.

At half way the race began and the hills gave me a lead before first-time 50-miler, Mike Bialick, caught me and pushed the pace closer to 6 min/miles on the flats. I didn't want to speed up as we weren't even at 30 miles yet but I decided to hang with his pace so he couldn't gap me. I also thought that he might be going out too hard for his first foray into this distance, so forcing him to keep up his effort levels looked like a smart move.

That paid off and several miles of tree-covered and wide trails later I re-took the lead into the 35-mile aid station, building up a three-minute margin by 40 miles. Until this point I hadn't considered the course record of 5:59 but with the forced pace and the threat of Mike behind I didn't want to sit back and relax.

Those final miles included some soft sandy sections that couldn't be avoided, even along the side of the trail and on tired legs sand is not what you want to face. What you also don't want to see is Mike charging along 30 seconds behind you when he seemed to have been out of it. So with just two miles left I kicked it up a notch, hoping that if I could keep him far enough behind then I wouldn't be forced to sprint finish the final 0.8 miles on the road.

To my relief it paid off and I held on for 5:57:39 with Mike barely a minute back - an incredibly impressive debut for him at 50 miles and he's bound to have some great ultra results ahead of him. Full results from the 50-miler are here. 

This is a fast trail course with 6,282ft of ascent but no big climbs. The closest race I can compare it to is American River 50 in California, except that's faster due to half of it being on flat bike paths. It's well worth a trip, especially to see that ethereal early mist.

Sep 04 | Q & A with Dean Karnazes: Join Him At The Madison Wisconsin Endurance Challenge

By The North Face

Coming off his 9th finish at the Badwater Ultra-marathon we asked Dean some questions about his upcoming race at the Endurance Challenge 50 in Madison, WI and about qualifying for the 2013 Western States.

TNF: Where do you continue to find inspiration to compete in ultra races?
A: To me, every ultra is an adventure. Sometimes that adventure involves seeing new places and meeting new people, other times that adventure is within and you see yourself in a new light. Either way, it¹s great exploration.
 
TNF: Are you excited to compete in The North Face Endurance Challenge, the event that you host every year?
A: I am. The last time I got to actually race in one of The North Face Endurance Challenges was the inaugural Washington DC 50-miler. That race was many years ago and I lost to fellow North Face athlete Leigh Schmitt. I¹ve been bitter ever since (laughter).
 
TNF: What is your goal for the GORE-TEX 50 Mile in Madison, WI?
A: Just to sneak in before the official cutoff time (more laughter). Actually, my goal is to use this race as a qualifier for the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run in 2013.
 
TNF: What is your mindset going into a competitive 50 Mile ultra marathon?
A: I know this might sound funny, but this distance is a bit shorter than my optimal. I tend to do better at longer races over multiple days. My main goal‹other than qualifying for Western States‹is to just enjoy myself. I look forward to meeting the other runners and logging some miles with them on a really great trail.
 
TNF: How have you been training for the event?
A: Wherever and whenever I can. My travel schedule is pretty nuts these days so finding sufficient time to train is challenging. I try to run marathons as training runs on the weekends.
 
TNF: What is the coolest wild life experience you have had running on the trails?
A: I¹ve nearly stepped on dozens of snakes and have come face-to-face with a bear before, but probably closest encounter with dangerous wildlife I¹ve ever had was the time I was nearly rundown in the middle of the night by a manic women who then promptly stopped her car and whipped out a book for me to autograph. Talk about late night crazy wildlife along the roadside!
 
TNF: Has your passion for running rubbed off on your two kids?
A: Yeah, I chase them all over the house trying to get them to do their homework (continued laughter).
 
TNF: You have finished Badwater 9 times. How many more times would you want to run that race?
A: Ten is my goal, though I am delighted to have finished that race even once. It¹s hard to describe the misery of running 135-miles across Death Valley in the middle of summer. It doesn¹t get any better!

Aug 01 | Run with Dean in Atlanta, Columbus and Kansas City

By The North Face

For the second year in a row Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes visiting stores to get more people running! As a kick off to the Endurance Challenge events in Atlanta and Kansas City, Dean is hitting the road with local runners for a 10k run and a chance to hang out and ask questions.

Each runner will get the opportunity to chat with Dean, get an autograph or take a picture during the event. Feel free to bring personal copies of Dean’s books or anything you would like him to sign.

This event is not restricted to Endurance Challenge participants, so bring your friends and family and get a taste of what the Endurance Challenge will bring to Atlanta or Kansas City later in the year.

Dean's Schedule of 10k Runs

August 3        Big Dog Running Company - Columbus, GA        6:30pm

                    1104 Broadway, Columbus, GA

August 4        The North Face Store, Atlanta, GA                   8:30am

                     35 A West Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA               

August 18      The North Face Store, Kansas City, MO              10:00am

                     312 W. 47th Street, Kansas City, MO 64112

Dean loves running with and meeting his fans!

 

Jun 19 | Countdown to 2012 Western States 100

By The North Face

This weekend in Squaw Valley, California, runners will gather to participate in one of the most well-known and challenging ultramarathons in the world -- The Western States 100. Steeped in a rich history, Western States is often considered  a "Who's Who" of the running community. Last year, The North Face athletes swept six of the top 10 podium spots and this year the prospects look great for the eight of our endurance athletes who are preparing to run this season, including 2011 Men's Endurance Challenge Championship winner and 2011 Western States second place finisher Mike Wolfe. Four-time Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc winner Lizzy Hawker will also be making her Western States 100 debut. 

The course runs along the famed Western States Trail ascending from the Squaw Valley floor (elevation 6,200 feet) to Emigrant Pass (elevation 8,750 feet), a climb of 2,550 vertical feet in the first 4½ miles. From the pass, following the original trails used by the gold and silver miners of the 1850’s, runners travel west, climbing another 15,540 feet and descending 22,970 feet before reaching Auburn.

Most of the trail passes through remote and rugged territory, accessible only to hikers, horses and helicopters -- and of course, runners.

Check back this week and next for updates on all of our Western States athletes, race results and athlete race reports. Follow the conversation online with #WS100, and as always, check-in with our friend Bryon Powell and team at iRunFar for the most comprehensive, in-depth video and from-the-trail coverage. 

Mike Wolfe crossing the finish line in second place in 2011