Posted: Apr 28, 2008  15:39

North Idaho College's Outdoor Pursuits will sponsor the fourth annual NIChallenge, an adventure race Saturday, May 31 in Coeur d'Alene (the exact location will be announced later).

This is the only race of its kind held in North Idaho.

"Each year we have a new group of people that are seeking fun and adventure," said Outdoor Pursuits Coordinator Paul Chivvis. "The best part about it is the participants are from all walks of life with various amounts of physical fitness levels all coming together for this fun competition."

Adventure racing is a multiple-sport race based on teamwork and designed to test the limits of competitors. Races often include kayaking or canoeing, trekking, mountain biking, and an orienteering or problem solving obstacle that must be completed along the team-navigated course

The NIChallenge is a sprint adventure race that incorporates 10 to 15 miles of mountain biking, four to six miles of trail running and two to five miles of paddling and basic navigation as well as obstacles to test teamwork and physical and mental skills.

Specific details of the NIChallenge course will not be released until race day to ensure that participants retain their sense of adventure, according to Chivvis.
Past races have been held at Farragut State Park and Beauty Bay on Lake Coeur d'Alene.

The race is cosponsored by Kayak Coeur d'Alene, Out There Monthly, Mountain View Cyclery, Two-Wheeler Dealer, Fleet Feet and Vertical Earth.

Teams of two or four members in co-ed, all-male or all-female divisions are encouraged to sign up.

Cost is $70 per person for those who register by May 10 (or $80 from May 11 through May 26) and includes an Icebreaker Bodyfit 150 NIChallenge shirt, food at the event and the opportunity to win various prizes.

Register online at http://www.active.com or in person at the Outdoor Pursuits Office, located on the lower level of NIC's Edminster Student Union Building.

Information: (208) 769-7809.