Third edition of The North Face 100 returns in October

The North Face 100

This year will see 1,500 athletes run through the trails of the central catchment area, covering Bukit Timah and Mandai Nature Reserve. (Photo courtesy of Shawn Balakrishnan)

Singapore, Wednesday, July 15, 2010 — The North Face 100 ultra trail marathon is set to return on Saturday 9 October 2010. The event, in its third year, offers three categories — 100KM Solo, 100KM Duo and 50KM Duo.

Competitors will have to finish within the cut-off time of 9hrs to complete the 100km route and, 4½ hrs for the 50km route, and must be totally self-sufficient.

“Endurance running is a sport that spans the globe,” said Elaine Tay, event organiser for The North Face 100. “We are a thriving community with healthy competition that encourages and inspires each other and others to go farther than ever thought possible. Running through some of Singapore’s greatest landscapes is an extraordinary experience.”

This year will see 1,500 athletes run through the trails of the central catchment area,
covering Bukit Timah and Mandai Nature Reserve. The race will start and end at MacRitchie Park but the exact route will be kept confidential until one week prior to the event.

However, only 35 athletes will be pre-selected to run the grueling 100KM Solo that will start at 4am. These top athletes must have completed pre-qualifying marathons within a pre- requisite time to qualify to run the 100KM Solo. The runners will be running with head-lamps in pitch-black trails, carry their own water and food and run for up to 18hrs to complete the race.

For their efforts, in addition to the notable cash prize, bragging rights and title, the winner of The North Face 100 will win an all-expense paid travel and entry package to The North Face 100 in Beijing, April 2011.

The North Face 100 is part of a global series of races, which includes the legendary
Canadian Death Race and the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc, where athletes tackle the most grueling trails, highest mountain summits, river and canyon crossings. Singapore is one leg of the six-country Asian Series.