The North Face Endurance Challenge Championships Contest
October 4, 2010 by Bryon Powell · 183 Comments
[Note: This contest is now closed. Winners were announced here.]
We’re teaming up with The North Face to provide a lucky winner with free entry into his or her choice of any The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship weekend race (December 4-5 in San Francisco’s Marin Headlands), a full Better Than Naked running outfit, and a pair of TNF Single-Track shoes. All you have to do to enter is to let us know why you’d like to run one of the TNF EC championship races.*
The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship Weekend
This year, each of the five TNF Endurance Challenge locations features a full weekend’s worth of exciting trail racing. For the fourth straight year, the 50-mile championship race headlines the showcase of races. Run on Saturday, December 4, the 50-mile race through the Marin Headlands will feature what could be the US’s best ultrarunning field of the year. Up for grabs is $30,000 in prize money with $10,000/$4,000/$1,000 going to both the top three men and top three women. Oh, and there are big bragging rights on the line as most competitors head into an off-season.
If you don’t want to run the 50-mile championship race, but still want to challenge yourself on Marin Headlands trails that weekend, there are a ton of other trail race options. On Saturday, December 4, The North Face will also host a 50k, a marathon, a marathon relay, and a kid’s run. For those hoping to wrap up their season with a shorter race, there will be a half marathon, a 10k, a 5k and another kid’s run on Sunday, December 5. After covering the 50- mile race on Saturday, iRunFar’s Bryon Powell will be running one of Sunday’s shorter races.
As noted above, the winner of this contest gets a free entry into whichever race he or she wants to run. (Travel and lodging are up to the winner.)
Better Than Naked Apparel
The North Face's forthcoming Better Than Naked men's crew.
Next spring, The North Face will be launching a line of Better Than Naked performance running apparel. The line features super lightweight breathable and weather-resistant materials… that make it better than running naked. While the human body also lacks reflective features, each piece in the Better Than Naked line makes up for this evolutionary deficiency.
When released, there will be three Better Than Naked items available for both men and women: a jacket, crew shirt, and short. The winner of this contest will receive a full his or hers set that includes a Better Than Naked jacket, crew, and short well before they’re available to the public! (Note that the line will also include a women’s Better Than Naked singlet.)
TNF Single-Track Shoes
As clothes can enhance the running experience, so too can shoes. Thankfully, The North Face is rounding out the winner’s kit with a pair of the company’s award-winning Single-Track shoes. As a team of iRunFar reviewers has previously put this hybrid trail runner to the test, we’ll direct you to our The North Face Single-Track review.
To be eligible to win this huge prize package, you need not write a huge essay on why you’d like to run one of the The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship weekend races. A short note will do. The winner will be drawn at random. Entry is open to anyone anywhere! Be sure to leave your name and town. The contest will close Friday, October 15th at 5 p.m. PDT. We’ll announce the winner along with all the other One Miillionth Pageview contest winners on Monday, October 18th.
Related articles:
- The North Face Endurance Challenge Championships Filling Fast! The GORE-TEX 50 mile race at December's The North Face Endurance Challenge Championships is filling fast!...
- Relentless Forward Progress: The North Face and Smith Optics Contest A contest with The North Face and Smith Optics to celebrate the launch of Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons....
- 2010 The North Face Endurance Challenge Championship Results Results of the 2010 The North Face Endurance Challenge 50 Mile Championship presented by GORE-TEX....
Bryon Powell is the Editor-in-Chief of iRunFar.com, which he founded five years ago. Also the author of Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons and a contributing editor at Trail Runner magazine, he's quickly approaching 10 years as an ultrarunner and 20 years as a trail runner. These days he calls Park City, Utah and its trails home.
All posts by Bryon Powell
My trails will all be snowed in by Dec 4th. Would love a shot to run on dirt during a CO winter.
Dylan
Aspen, CO
I love running , this site, The North Face and Free stuff! I have never run in San Francisco and would love to do so.
I need a great excuse to get out of town on my birthday (Dec 4th) and end a crappy year of recovering from injuries with a great race in a great city with great people!
Dave A
Seattle, WA
It will be a great excuse to do my first ultra and my first visit to San Francisco!!
I am feeling lucky!! ..i need to step up training…
Hello…please consider me for the contest. I love running. I love ultras.
And I desperatley need new running clothes. I live in NY and I am heading out to SF for this race because last year I did it and I finished but I really suffered through it. This year I am much more prepared and I want to redeem myself and get through the 50 miles smiling. I promise if you pick me…I will start and finish race with the BIGGEST smile!
Jimena
New York, NY
If you are the Jimena that competed at Virgil Crest 100 this year, great job out there.
Hi Jeff! I am Jimena from Virgil Crest race :-)
Did you run that monster of a race?
I did aid station work all day long (Gravel Pit/Rockpile/Lift House 5) and then paced a buddy all night long. I had so much fun that I’m signing up for the 50 miler next year. I have to say that you looked great all day/night long.
Yeah…you are doing the 50 on 2011!! Yhat race owns my heart…I will def do it next year. Are you heading out to SF for NF challenege?
I will if I win. I hadn’t considered it until seeing this contest. Are you going to do Virgil Crest again?
Pretty sure I will Virgil again. I feel tied to it for life since it was my first 100 miler. Ian haunts my dreams with his wicked course!! ha!
Congrats on One Million hits! What were your splits on that? ;)
North Face Entry Rock on.
Justin S
Colorado Springs, CO
It would be great to run the NF50 in the Marin Headlands because a few friends are running it – would be great to join them! I also hear the views are fantastic…
Dylan B.
Aliso Viejo, CA
This would be a good way to use some of the carbos I will begin loading a couple Thursdays prior.
Nathan Jackson
Eau Claire, WI
I am an avid trail runner and have been for years – and am just getting into running longer ultra distances – my first 50K a year ago and I loved it! What an incredible opportunity it would be to run in Northern California and to wear gear named ‘better than naked”:-) A nice change from my beloved running trails in the Metro D.C. area…love your blog by the way.
Ferrall D.
Chevy Chase, MD
I would like to win an entry into the TNF races so I can get up front, run my fastest for the fist 50 feet, thereby earning the bragging rights of having led the pack in the first leg of the TNF championship. Sick.
Chris Thomas
Tacoma, WA
…. 10,000 ft of climbing in 50 miles instead of 10,000ft in 62 miles would be interesting… I’d like to, at sometime, experience the excitement at the 50 mile Trail Championship.
Ted Nunes
After running two 50km trail races and a marathon trail race, it is time to move up to a 50 Miler. The North Face Endurance Challenge sounds like a great challenge to me. Just put the Irunfar.com sticker on my canopy window up here in Canada, and I have had a ton of people ask me about it. I tell them to check out the website. Keep up the awesome site!!!
Reid
I would love the free shot! Plus I’m going to be in Cali around that time any way!
Ben L.
Denver CO
I won the masters division of the North Face 50K at Bear Mountain, NY this spring and would love a shot a taking on the ‘best of the west’ at the Marin Highlands. After the JFK 50 in November, I’ll be primed for a fast 50 miler in CA. TNF and GoreTex put on a great event, so getting a chance to participate in another event would rock! Thanks for the site, the great content and the awesome contests!!
Matt
Chatham, NY
I’ve done TNF 50 mile in the past, but I’m just coming off of a stubborn injury, so my first race back would likely be a shorter distance. It’s nice that there are several distances to choose from. I am also a huge lover of running clothes from the North Face – I have a North Face running shirt for each day of the week.
Nicole S
Seattle, WA
After having a fantastic experience running my first 50k last year, I’ve been considering a 50-miler for awhile but have been a bit hesitant to try that distance. A beautiful course, competitive field, and free entry should do the trick!
George
Berkeley, CA
I want to run the race to celebrate the end of my methadone treatment program for addiction to oxycontin. that addiction was one of the worst things that has ever happened to me and without the insane amount of running i’ve been doing this past summer/fall, i would not have been able to kick it. that drug was so horrible and the effects it had on my life and family is irrevocable, but now as i emerge from the experience…it has left me with a deep and profound appreciation for health, for my body and a renewed love for running that borders on spiritual. i ran my first 50 miler two weekends ago (run woodstock) and placed 7th! at the end of november i’ll have finally tapered off the methadone and to run the NF 50 would be the most amazing way to mark the end of the most difficult period in my life and the beginning of what i hope will be a new and beautiful chapter! to anyone else out there who has suffered under a drug addiction and pulled through it, i wish you only the best! you’re incredible to me!
thanks for a great website that continues to inspire me and to help in this long road to recovery (longer, i might add, than any race i’ve ever run hahaha!)
only peace,
patrick thurber
la salle, mi
whoa, upon re-reading this in the morning…hahaha! a little too weepy for my liking, but what the hell?
“drugs drool. running rules.” that’s all i really meant to write. i’m gonna go run now and get my dumb ass off of this internet.
I can’t make it race weekend but if you have any extra BTN clothes or shoes on hand, I would be glad to take them off your hands :)
Adam Fitzgerald
Mt. Pleasant SC
I’m a huge North Face fan and would love the opportunity to experience the Marin trails for the first time.
Travis Truman
Lansdowne, PA
i would love to run this race. it’s on my bucket list.
yay giveaways! congrats on the success of the site!
jeremy.
anch.ak
Because it sounds like the thing to do shortly after turning 40…
Dale
Eatonville, WA
I could use a challenge and some nice swag.
Mike
Eagle, CO
First I’d be the first guy from Costa Rica to race at the TNF EC, second free entry and gear!!
Victor
San José, Costa Rica.
I would love to run either the 50-miler or the 50k. I had to pull out injured from a 50k yesterday (my first DNF ever), and I’m ready to redeem myself! I’ve been looking for an excuse to hit the Bay Area, too…
It would be great to travel to California for the first time, and to participate in a race like the TNF EC.
Jamie
Fairborn, OH
My only time in CA was spent in LAX…I think running a 50 miler would be much better!
Kevin
Newark, DE
The Seattle 2007 TNF Endurance Challange 50k was my 1st ultra. They got me hooked from the beginning. Here’s my write-up: http://willandjenni.blogspot.com/2007/10/yay-im-ultramarathoner.html
Hope TNF gets back up to Seattle next year. We missed them this year. I guess that means I need to go to San Fran in December. Got an entry for me?
Will T.
Fall City, WA
My first ultra was the Skyline 50K, and my first trail marathon started on Stinson Beach. I love the trails, the people, the views, the everything about that area of the country (except the traffic). My fingers are crossed…
Cave Creek, AZ
Oh boy! This looks like a LOT of competition but would be AMAZING to get it!
I’d love to give the NF 50k another shot! Especially somewhere as “exotic” as SF! I’ve never run on the West Coast and I can’t wait to get the opportunity to get out there. My NF 50k race DC this season was a bit of a big bust due to high temperatures and an overall bad race on my end so this could give me a little redemption as well! Got some family in SF I haven’t seen in years too!
I’m not an ultra runner yet, but I’ve always run on the road. I’d love to experience a distance trail event such as the TNF Endurance Challenge because it would be a great learning experience for future events, especially as it would be a great venue supported by a great company.
James C.
Arlington, VA
best site for information on ultras-
chilly weather, hot contest
#1 north face jacket (xl)
#2 brooks ez long sleeve shirt (xl)
#3 saucony mittens
#4 moeben sleeves
fyi-my running friends love the bumper sticker
ed werner
chicago, il
Ed, They call all get their own bumper sticker if they just send me a note. :-)
Can Canadians enter?
I’d like the Better Than Naked apparel – I’m new to the scene and I still don’t have a decent jacket and far too few shirts & shorts. These look pretty great.
Adrian,
Burnaby, BC, Canada
Adrian, you’re in luck. This contest is worldwide.
Thanks Byron!
I forgot to comment on the race itself :)
I’m new to the endurance runs and my one attempt at a 50 mile was a DNF, d’oh. I’ve more or less written off the rest of the year for follow-up attempts but a chance to run in the gorgeous california hills would be wonderful. No chance of me winning but fun to do it with a keen, fit crowd.
Good luck to everyone who’s racing.
I’m always good for a 50m in the Headlands.
Alan, Red Bluff, CA
Don’t know that I’d be up for the 50 mile, but one of the other distances would make for a gorgeous race. Sign me up!
Jason D.
Magalia, CA
Wow, great prize package! I would love to run that 50 miler not-quite naked!
Jen Jolliffe
Campbell River, BC, CANADA
It is the oportunity to run my first 50 mile race, meet great people and to improve my training.
Matias
Santiago, Chile
It would be an honor to have to opportunity to run in one of TNF races, as well as the motivation with the weather change. Thanks for the entry.
Cole
Pittsburgh, PA
Getting ready to run my first HM and would love to follow it up with a TNF event!
Jeremy
Jonesboro, AR
A time of redemption.
I just had my first dnf @ Bear 100!
I hated to end my season on a bad note.
I’d love to have a chance to finish The North Face Endurance Challenge w/ one last
hurrah! ~ and go out with a bang for the year 2010!
Thanks.
Cheri Redwine
I’m from McMinnville, Oregon.
Sign me up!
Tom
Ankeny, Iowa
Awesome prize package! I need to get my Zen on…and I can’t think of a better way to do so than putting some Marin Headland miles on my TNF Rucky Chuckys. Count me in!
Dan the Man
Portland OR
My US trail running, and general American experience, has been limited to GA and NC. I would love to set foot, run and explore trail on the other coast of this nation, especially in such distinguished and inspiring company.
Charlotte, NC
If one of us wins, would we be allowed to wager the prize on whoever finishes Medoc first?
Seriously though, Kay has been winning too many local trail races, we’d like to send her somewhere else to take their prizes instead.
I won’t be ready for the 50 miler by then but a half Marathon would work well in my training for my first 50 at McNaughton in April.
Paul Cartwright
Ottumwa, Ia
Run 50 miles with some of the best athletes from around the world in a stunningly beautiful area of Northern Cali? I’d be insane to NOT want to do this.
Evan C
Appleton, WI
While I have never run farther than a half marathon to date, I am incredibly inspired by the ultra running community and have high hopes that someday I may join the ranks of those who have gone the distance. I don’t imagine I will be ready for the longer distances in early December, but the half marathon (or even the marathon) are within reach.
My thanks,
Bradley
Puyallup, WA
Why the North Face Endurance Challenge Championship Race ?
Because for me it’s all about the Zen of the experience. Nothing else. I’ve lost the headphones & thumping iPod, the color coordinated gear, the watch that tells you every detail of the experience. It’s just about me and the trail. I think that is what the North Face Endurance Challenge is all about. The aggregation of like minded individuals looking to match their endurance with the challenge.
Jon Sagner
Baltimore, MD
Why do I want to run TNF Endurance Chhalenge Race in San Fran?
Because, coming from SWFL, I just can’t imagine running in tights, LS top and a winter hat as I see Bay Area runners wearing IN AUGUST & SEPTEMBER. Also, I have always wanted to visit Marin and see the Golden Gate Bridge.
Peter Boers
Fort Myers, FL
It’s like fate is saying enter this contest. My training will be peaking and I will be sharp enough to do my first 50 mile race at that very time. I have a good feeling here guys!
Thanks for the opportunity
Jeff in NH
I’d like to run in Marin as it would be a bit of a homecoming: I lived in the Bay Area for 8 1/2 years a decade ago, but didn’t run at the time. Now I really wished I’d taken advantage of all the wonderful trails while I was there. This contest could start me down that path.
Bill Day
Broken Arrow, OK
too many kids, little money to spare, the weather here sucks.
Randy
Calgary Alberta