09 Feb Asics Launches Running Challenge
Asics Corp. launched its annual global search for amateur runners to join its #BeatTheSun community and take part in the “Asics Beat the Sun” challenge, which starts and finishes in Chamonix, France on June 21, 2016.
In order to take part, runners will need to sign up at the Asics #BeatTheSun online community, commit to a personal running goal for June 21st and declare whether they want to take part in “Asics Beat the Sun” event.
The event in Chamonix offers amateur runners a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to team up with expert athletes in a unique relay race. The race sees eight intercontinental teams battle it out around a multi-terrain course to become the first team to beat the sun around Mont Blanc – Europe’s highest peak – in the time between sunrise and sunset.
Competing against each other and nature’s clock, teams have just 15 hours, 41 minutes and 35 seconds to cover the 150km course. Each runner will complete two relay sections of between 3km – 19km, across varied altitude and terrain – including trail, road and alpine – while crossing France, Italy, and Switzerland in the space of just one day.
Those who join the #BeatTheSun community will receive access to an exclusive online training program, developed by Asics pro athlete coaches, and aimed at helping runners achieve their goals on June 21st. The first module of the #BeatTheSun online training program will begin on March 1st and will include strength, running nutrition and trail-specific advice.
On April 25th, Asics will announce 50 finalists for the event in Chamonix, these finalists will then undertake an elite training program in full preparation for the once-in-a-lifetime event. However, for those who don’t make the final 50, Asics will continue to provide the latest training tips and advice to help them complete their own personal challenge on June 21st.
The final 24 runners for “Asics Beat the Sun” will be decided through a combination of online voting and a panel of experts, before being announced on June 1, 2016. The selected amateurs will then be mentored by an expert athlete from their team in the final month before the June 21st race, and will also receive Asics gear for training and race day.
At the event on June 21st, eight teams will be made up of five different continents. The three European teams will be represented by amateurs from the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands, Switzerland and Poland, while the two American teams will be made up of amateurs from the USA, Brazil, Canada and Mexico. Team Asia-Pacific will also have two teams, containing amateurs from Japan, Singapore, China, South Korea, Hong Kong and Australia, with Team Africa featuring amateurs from South Africa, Kenya and Burundi.
While runners are taking on nature’s toughest challenge in Chamonix, Asics will inspire the rest of #BeatTheSun community to complete their own personal running goals before the sun sets on June 21st, making it a global day of running and the ultimate human race.
Runners who are motivated by the challenge of taking part in “Asics Beat the Sun” in Chamonix, or who want to commit to and train for their own personal goal on the June 21, 2016, can find out more information and register at: http://beatthesun.asics.com/.