Warmsprings Endurance Series

Warm Springs Endurance Series is proud to announce the inaugural season of the Pacific Northwests premiere ultra distance race series. Held on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in the dry, scorching heat of Central Oregons scenic desert, participates will be challenged to the ultimate test of physical and mental endurance. Each event will start and finish in the small native community of Warm Springs, approximately 105 miles southeast of Portland, OR and 65 miles northwest of Bend, OR.

Portland, OR (PRWEB) May 22, 2004 --- Sweat rolls down your forehead, drips into your eyes, temporarily stinging and clouding your vision. Struggling to swallow, you skid your sandpapery tongue over your gritty teeth, only to realize that your mouth is drier than a box of saltines. Your feet are swollen and blistered. The blast-furnace heat of the desert is scorching your shoulders and they continue to ache from constant movement. To make matters worse, a masochistic drill sergeant in your head controls your legs, marching the rubbery soldiers and the rest of your body to an unrelenting keep going...dont give up" cadence. Ironically, despite the pain your soul beams knowing that youre on pace to complete the journey.

Welcome to the Warm Springs Endurance Series, comprised of a 100-mile mountain bike race called the Piranha Relay (July 10, 2004) followed a week later by double and quadruple marathons respectfully known as the El Deuce and Quarter (July 17 & 18, 2004). What might be considered among the toughest endurance sports events of their kind ever conceived on U.S. soil, the Warm Springs Endurance Series, held on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in Central Oregon, is the brainchild of Portland-based veteran ultra runner and shoe designer Kip Buck.
Run in the varied climates of Central Oregons high desert in July, each course provides unparalleled vistas of Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson and the Cascade Mountains linked together by undulating climbs over dusty single-track trails, rutted logging roads, broken lava fields, and improved gravel and paved roads. Traveling through evergreen forests and the mirage heat of the open desert, the series promises to throw a multitude of challenges at even the most experienced endurance athlete. I wanted to design an event series with courses that go way beyond 'tough," says Buck.

The Piranha Relay, the Pacific Northwests most challenging ultra-distance mountain bike race will be staged on Saturday, July 10, 2004. With race classes comprised of single, two and four person teams, the unique 100-mile mountain bike race, with a 25-mile looping course, is designed to challenge expert and novice riders alike. Teams can be assembled with all men, all women, or coed (equal number of men and women). With a 12-hour cut-off time, teams must average 8.5 miles per hour in order register an official finish.

On July 17, 2004 die-hard runners can attack the 52.5-mile El Deuce double marathon" or the 105-mile, Quater -- Oregons first ultramarathon. The El Deuce is a 15-hour race run on an out-and-back course that shares its first 26-miles with the Quarter. The grueling 105-miles of the Quater must be completed over a 32-hour period finishing at 2:00pm on Sunday, July 18.

Each race has a 6:00am start time, beginning and ending in the small native community of Warm Springs. A pre-race blessing will be bestowed upon participants by a Tribal Spiritual Leader with a ceremonial start by a Tribal Chief in full native dress. Bordered by the beautiful Deschutes River on the east and evergreen forested mountains on the west, Warm Springs is approximately 70 miles southeast of Portland, OR and 50 miles northwest of Bend, OR.

In addition to the personal achievement of completing these ultimate tests of physical and mental endurance, cash and prizes will be awarded to top finishers. For more information regarding the race series including: registration fees, safety/aid station locations, directions, lodging, awards and categories, please visit the official website at www.warmspringsenduranceseries.com