Red Bull Divide and Conquer returns to Vancouver to push limits by land and by water

- Registration for the extreme multi discipline race is now open as the event returns to the North Shore on June 8, 2013 -

VANCOUVER, April 15, 2013 /CNW/ - Red Bull Divide and Conquer takes Vancouver's landscape by storm for the second year in a row, bringing the extreme multi discipline endurance race to the breathtaking North Shore.  In this epic challenge, competitors will test their grit and mettle on the mountains, rivers, and shores of Canada's unparalleled West Coast on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 10:00am. Teams of three participants will rely on their physical and mental strength to take on a course that will include mountain running, mountain biking, and white water kayaking. Starting in the forest laden North Shore of Vancouver, the Red Bull Divide and Conquer course will snake up and down more than 8,000 meters of vertical, then make its way along the Capilano River and competitors will cross the finish line in the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean. The total distance covered by this behemoth race will be no less than 70 kilometres. Registration (http://divcon2013.eventbrite.ca) is now open to men and women.

Each team will be comprised of three competitors: a mountain runner, a mountain biker, and a kayaker. They will push their limits in a mix of locations on the North Shore of Vancouver, including Grouse Mountain. The river portion takes the course from North to West Vancouver, finishing in Ambleside Park. The anticipated race time is between four and seven hours, and the first divided team to conquer the course takes the win. Categories will include women, men and mixed but once everything is said and done, the first kayaker to cross the finish line will be crowned the champ, regardless of team dynamics.

"Red Bull Divide and Conquer is what other adventure races want to be: a real adventure," said Canadian adventure sports legend Will Gadd. "Every segment is a legit challenge in its own right, not just some wanna-be tough event. Red Bull Divide and Conquer is a true technical race, and each segment of the competition would truly be a race in its own sport."

Mountain Run
With the starting line located at the incredibly scenic Cleveland Park on Vancouver's North Shore, the runners will begin to gain elevation immediately with almost 6,000 feet of climbing. Runners will complete a near double ascent of Grouse Mountain while navigating the legendary technicality of the North Shore's Baden Powell Trail. The only reprieve from climbing will involve a high-speed leg thrashing descent. The journey will take them through a stunning rainforest landscape and all the way to the top of a Grouse Mountain ski run that will present unfold sweeping vistas of Vancouver down below. As if the scenery and technicality of the route in and of itself wasn't enough, athletes will run past the remains of a 1954 U.S. F86 fighter plane crash site, right on the side of Grouse Mountain.

Mountain Bike
The course will start with a five-kilometer section of fire road beginning at the top of Grouse with a slight downhill grade on a gravel road allowing for closely bunched groups to work together or separate themselves with a little effort from those chasing. Entering the first single track on Mt. Fromme, the technical games will begin. This descent is followed closely by some technical climbing along the Baden Powell that will bring the riders back for one of a series of significant ascents up the Mountain Highway, an old access road and popular local training spot. These climbs will give the riders an open connection to the legendary trails of the North Shore. Here, we will add to our thrilling initial descent a number of other trails giving speed and flow over the natural rock and root that defines the North Shore. In a final dash back towards the Cleveland Dam and the third leg of the event, riders will traverse back around the foot of Grouse Mountain on the Skyline Path. Those who have the courage to race full throttle for this entire track both up and down will experience a truly balanced course both physically and technically.

White Water Kayak
Paddling the drop and pool Capilano River is an unforgettable and challenging ten-kilometer plus read and run course that will transport the kayakers far from the urban environment that surrounds it. The run offers a variety of small feature playspots ranging from the occasional surf wave to the odd lateral spin/cartwheel pour over. Red Bull Divide and Conquer kayakers will put in with a seal launch off the rocky riverbank at the Capilano Salmon Hatchery in the shadow of the imposing Cleveland Dam. Water levels are high and reliable in June and can reach class IV but can also fluctuate quickly, depending on the dam and Mother Nature. Kayakers will close out the race, finishing an ocean leg upon completion of the Capilano River. This is the final stretch completing the circuit in Ambleside Park.

Register your team now!
Registration will be open until June 1, 2013 or until all 100 team spots are filled. Competitors must be 19 years of age or older. The cost per team is $275 and includes the official Red Bull Divide and Conquer/The North Face tee plus a voucher for food and drink at the post-event BBQ at Ambleside Park. Teams of three competitors can register online now at http://divcon2013.eventbrite.ca/. Open categories are welcome: men, women, or mixed. Red Bull Divide and Conquer will run rain or shine.

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SOURCE: Red Bull Divide and Conquer

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Emily Palley-Samson     
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