AAAaaaahhhhh Bear Mountain, there are just so many things I can say about New York’s “The North Face Endurance Challenge Series” (ECSNY) race that I am not sure where to begin. Let’s start with the basics:
1) What is it? (For those who haven’t been before)
ECSNY is a series of trail races at Bear Mountain (about an hour north of NYC). Races include the 50 miler, 50k, Marathon, and Marathon Relay events on Saturday, and Half Marathon, 10k, and 5k events on Sunday. At the Start/Finish line, The North Face puts on an awesome festival complete with food and clothing vendors, beer, and just about everything one might need for a day at the races! Crazy race costumes, members of neighboring tribes, Jason whooping butt in corn hole (or “Bags” as he says), and awesome triumphs of physical ability typically amount to what I consider one of my favorite days of the year.
Basically the most fun thing ever….
2) When is it?
It doesn’t matter when it is – you should all clear your schedules, delay surgeries, cancel weddings, leave your kids you know about behind and sign up for one of the most fun events of the year.
Saturday, May 13th – Marathon relay, Marathon, 50k, 50-miler (most popular day)
Sunday, May 14th – 5k, 10k, half marathon
3) What race should I run?
I encourage you to sign up for whatever race you feel comfortable with, though I will admit that the most popular among tribes is typically the marathon relay. The marathon relay consists of 4 legs of a loop that is a little longer than 6 miles. You can run multiple legs if you would like. The relay entries are priced per team, not per participant. The mountain is beautifully scenic and the trails are brutally challenging (TNF considers Bear Mountain the most technically challenging course in the series – meaning rocks, roots, and streams O’plenty).
As Tammy here found out
Also, there is a free beer waiting for you at the end, IF you are of age….Vader….. and wish to partake.
To sign up for the races check out the link below – USE THE DISCOUNT CODE NPNY15 FOR A 15% DISCOUNT:
https://www.thenorthface.com/get-outdoors/endurance-challenge/new-york/race-registration.html
4) Why should I come to Bear Mountain?
Because we bring the PARTY! As previously stated in a blog post by Jeanie: https://november-project.com/np_nyc-takes-over-bear-montain/ NP takes over Bear Mountain to bring a day full of energy, fun, positivity, and awesome people. Not to mention AWESOME costumes. In short, this is one festival you don’t want to miss out on, whether you are coming to race or just there to cheer come and get out of the city for a day and into some nature. I promise, you will have FOMO.
This dude knows what I am talking about
Also, #NPcorporate (see two bros below) and other regional tribes will be in town so it would make a very good impression on your new co-leaders to show up in full force; the gratitude of said co-leaders will be repaid in extra hugs and maybe one less burpee over the course of 2017.
5) I can barely figure out how to get to Brooklyn let alone find a mountain – how do I get there?
Fear not, we are hooking up a shuttle (for a small fee, sorry – previously like $5 – $10). Transport to and from the mountain will be included. Details to follow. PLEASE NOTE – SHUTTLE WILL BE FOR SATURDAY RACES ONLY!!!!!
6) Anything else I should know?
Check out this spreadsheet I made:
Fill it out, and flip through the tabs, because I can almost guarantee at least 2 of them pertain to you. If you are from #NP_NYC or Kings County Fit Club (KCFC if I get lazy later in the blog) and can host people, please fill it out on the sheet (definitely not mandatory). If you are from out of town, and are planning on coming, let us know if there is anything you need.
ALSO, and this might be the most important part, I need to know if you are interested in an after party, so just go ahead and and make sure you fill out that important tab on the spreadsheet.
Obviously Jason and I needed a little nap.
Lets get this party started! (Also, sorry for the novel)
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