Asics Launches Global Search For Amateur Runners
ASICS has launched a global search for amateur runners to take part in the annual ASICS Beat the Sun challenge, which returns to Chamonix on 21st June, the longest day of the year.
The event will see five continental teams compete to become the first team to beat the sun around Mont Blanc, giving them just 15 hours, 41 minutes and 35 seconds to cover the 148km between them.
Each team will be made up of three professional athletes and three amateurs, racing in relay to become the first team around Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe at 4,810 metres, whilst passing through France, Italy and Switzerland as they attempt to ‘beat the sun’.
The course will be divided into sections with each athlete completing two sections of between 3km-19km each across varied altitude and terrain. Athletes will face 8,370 metres of ascent, the equivalent to tackling Mount Everest, whilst dealing with inclement weather conditions.
The teams of six will represent America, Asia-Pacific and Africa, with two teams from Europe. As a result, ASICS is looking for a total of fifteen amateurs to enter, with six chosen from across Europe.
The chosen amateurs will be selected based on running ability as well as their motivation to take on the challenge. Once selected, they will then be mentored by a professional athlete from their continent team in the two months leading up to the event.
A dedicated TV-documentary about the challenge, which will be broadcast globally in late 2015, will be created by a production company Sunset & Vine.
