MORE THAN 200 ENDURANCE ATHLETES TO ATTEMPT 2011 SPARTAN DEATH RACE, JUNE 25 IN PITTSFIELD, VT

Largest Field Ever to Attempt World’s Most Challenging Endurance Race

PITTSFIELD, VT – JUNE 24, 2011 – There are millions of running races, thousands of marathons, hundreds of triathlons and event dozens of ultramarathons … but there is only one Spartan Death Race. Held annually since 2005 in the small town of Pittsfield, VT, and the brainchild of uber-endurance athlete Joe Desena, the 2011 Spartan Death Race, scheduled for June 24-25 offers 200 competitors — from 29 states plus Canada — the chance to test their mental and physical prowess like no other event on earth. Returning to try and become the first-ever 2-time winner, is Joe Decker, of San Diego, CA, who complete the course in 28-hours last year.

The hurdle and challenge-driven race requires competitors to complete a series of grueling mental and physical challenges throughout a 10-mile course that runs through the Vermont woods. In the past, Spartan Death Race, competitors have been required to chop wood for 2-hours, carry a 20-lb stump around for hours, build a fire, cut a bushel of onions, crawl through mud under barbed wire, translate a Greek phrase, or after 15-hours of racing, memorize the names of the first 10 U.S. Presidents and then hike to the top of a mountain and recite them back in order.

Unlike other endurance races that offer a detailed map, Death Race competitors have no idea what to expect next as the course map and list of challenges are kept secret. This provides one of their biggest challenges since the length of the race can range from 24-48 hours. For an endurance athlete, not knowing where the light is at the end of the tunnel can be sheer torture.

“We commend the brave athletes for taking on this challenge and taking the ultimate test,” said Desena. “We have created a course that offers no mercy and should break the will of at last 80% of the entrants. We have never had more than 20% of the participants complete the course. We don’t expect that to be challenged this year.”

For a taste of the Spartan Death Race, aspiring endurance athletes are encouraged to check out the Spartan Race Series. The 30-event series, developed by the creators of the Death Race, offers competitors obstacle race courses ranging in length from 5K-10 miles. Upcoming events in the U.S. are scheduled for: Utah (July 9), Vermont (Aug 6), Massachusetts (Aug 27-28), Pennsylvania (Sept. 10), State Island, (Sept 24).

For more information — www.SpartanRace.com, www.YouMayDie.com Photo Gallery (credit Cronin Hill Photographer) – http://gallery.me.com/chphoto#102781 B-Roll (courtesy Mad Motion) – http://vimeo.com/21070323

Media Contact: Doug Drotman (631-462-1198 or doug@drotmanpr.com)