Knoxville to Host New Adventure Challenge

Outdoor enthusiasts can experience a day of adventure and ultimately compete for a statewide title in the Tennessee Adventure Challenge launching in Knoxville, October 12, 2013. The Challenge will make its debut in conjunction with the Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing National Championship which will see up to 200 of the best adventure racers in North America converge on Knoxville from October 10-12 to compete for the national title.

The Tennessee Adventure Challenge is designed to offer an entry-level experience for those just starting out with adventure sports. The Challenge will expand to other cities within Tennessee in 2014 and 2015, with the goal of a five-to-seven city statewide series that culminates with a Championship race every fall in Knoxville.                       

Paul Angell, president of event producer, Checkpoint Zero, said Knoxville was the perfect pick for the National Championship and for the launch of the Tennessee Challenge. “Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness drew us to the city for our first-ever urban national championship venue. The enthusiasm we’ve seen for outdoor recreation — and the incredible topography and amenities found in and around Knoxville — made us excited about launching the Tennessee Adventure Challenge in conjunction with the national championship.”

Checkpoint Tracker is a national competitive adventure racing series with its own rankings and championship race. It is also the largest online community of adventure racers in North America with over 10,000 active members.

“We were thrilled when Checkpoint Zero selected Knoxville for the National Championship as it made a great statement that we truly are a national outdoor recreation hub,” Carol Evans, Legacy Parks Foundation executive director explained.  “The addition of the statewide event provides Knoxville a signature, annual event that will draw visitors to the city and keep us in the national spotlight as a great place to come and play.”

The Tennessee Adventure Challenge offers a unique format open to both novice and experienced athletes. Scheduled activities for the Challenge will include trail running, mountain biking and paddling (boat or SUP) on a set course with no navigation skills or GPS required. The course for both events is kept secret and closely guarded, though event producers have revealed that both finish lines will be on Market Square.

"Knoxville's scenic beauty and outdoor adventure makes our community the ideal destination for the Championships of the Tennessee Adventure Challenge," said Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville.  "Through our in-depth research and analysis initiatives over the past year, Visit Knoxville identified that Outdoor Adventure is one of the brand pillars of our marketing and branding needs.  Highlighting Knoxville's outdoor amenities to Challenge participants and attendees is a strong way to build awareness of Knoxville's outdoor adventure.”

Registration and information is now available at http://www.tnadventurechallenge.com.

For more information, contact: Carol Evans at 865.525.2585 or cevans@legacyparks.org.