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From the http://www.adventureracers.ca/ web site

3rd Annual Provincial High School Adventure Challenge! 

Mountain bike, paddle, and trek
non-stop over 25km of wilderness terrain with only a map and compass challenging your limits, teamwork and knowledge of the outdoors!

Test your abilities, push your limits, get outdoors, get dirty, find out what you are capable of, and meet friends from across Ontario!

Last year over 170 high school students from across the province were at the event.

Watch the 2009 Video HERE

Join the new Facebook group HERE

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Press Release  

(SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – March 3rd, 2009): On May 2rd and 3rd 2009, teens from across Ontario will find their way to Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario for a 25 km wilderness race at the 3rd annual provincial High School Adventure Challenge.

"We have another fantastic event planned, with a great race course, and free pre-race educational workshops for participants," said the event's coordinator Nadine Robinson. "Just like we hope that the global leaders who will meet at Deerhurst Resort in 2010 for the G8 Summit are up to their global challenge, we’re hoping our high school leaders are up to this challenge."

Racers will negotiate the wilderness in teams of three by foot, bike and canoe with only a map and a compass to guide them. No experience is necessary and competitors do not have to be elite athletes to take part. "Most of the competitors from the first two events were beginners to the sport -- the race is designed as a fun, safe, first step into adventure racing," commented Robinson. "This is not the December, Abu Dhabi, six-day straight adventure challenge -- this one is much shorter, there are no camels, and there is a lot more mud.”

Both the 2007 and 2008 events saw over 170 students from over 30 high schools in Ontario participate. Michipicoten High School’s, Off in the Woods – Simard’s Foot Soldiers, from Wawa won the event and the male category in 2008 with a time of 3:27. The Co-ed category was conquered by The Warriors, of St Michael CSS, of St Mary’s Ontario, with a time of 3:31. The female category was won by team Spank it – PC, of Aurora High School, with a time of 4:11 minutes.

Safety is always a top priority to the organizers, and the challenge will be run by Frontier Adventure Sports & Training, who boast over 12 years of safety and experience in adventure racing. The course was again designed by Lawrence Foster, an international course designer and renowned eco-challenge competitor. “This year’s race course will offer new challenges, new routes and new adventure for all the participants, lasting from three and a half to six hours.” Foster said. “It will also offer spectators the chance to cheer on the teams from the comfort of Deerhurst Resort.”

“We’re proud to offer this outdoor experience of a lifetime for students to develop and challenge their leadership and teamwork skills.” Robinson added. “We couldn’t do it without the support of our sponsors, as many racers, including last year’s winners, wouldn’t have made it to the event without help. We are again asking kind souls and organizations to sponsor teams in need, or get creative and pay for transportation to the event for multiple teams in one city.”

The High School Adventure Challenge is again presented by Algoma University of Sault Ste. Marie and CTV. Other key sponsors include TV’s Survivorman - Les Stroud, Deerhurst Resort, Paddlefoot, Research in Motion, the Sault Star, Axis Gear, Pictographics, and 99.5 YES FM.

For more information, visit the event website www.adventureracers.ca/now or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=51611688510.

Media Inquiries:
Donna Woldanski
Algoma University
1520 Queen Street East,
Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 2G4
(705) 949-2301 ext. 4120

Sponsorship Inquiries:
Nadine M. Robinson, BComm, Intl MBA
Department of Business & Economics
(705) 949-2301 ext. 4328
nadine.robinson@algomau.ca

Photos and a list of all high schools and cities that participated are available on request.