Intermontane Challenge - Cash Prizes

Aug 27, 2008

World-Class Mountain Bike Race in Kamloops Offers Men and Women Equal Payouts

The Intermontane Challenge, one of the world’s most unique and lucrative mountain bike races is putting men and women on an equal playing field by offering the same prize money for both sexes. Typically women receive 30 to 40 per cent less prize money than men in races because female enrollment is considered not high enough to justify an equal payout.

The 450-kilometer race takes place in Kamloops in 2009 and features a purse of $60,000 – three times as much prize money as any race in North America. Winning the solo category will pay out $10,000 for the top man and woman. The prize purse also includes cash for the top five podium spots, top three riders in the team categories and random acts of recognition for great riders who may get overlooked at the finish line.

Race organizer Chuck Brennan says it’s about time women get their fair share. “All of us involved in planning this race know that women have consistently been overlooked when it comes to prize money,” he says. “We hope offering equal payouts for both sexes will serve as motivation for other race organizers to follow our lead and we’re proud to be paving the way.”

The Intermontane Challenge is a cross-country stage race spanning five days, July 27-31, 2009. It is the only race of its size in the world to feature a single-track clover leaf design. The distinctive design means racers tackle a different course each day and end up in Kamloops every night.

The first chance to secure one of the 300 spots for the race will be at the free preview event at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) on September 6, 2008. Interested racers will be given a tour of one of the courses by course designer and former professional racer Dustin Adams.

Dustin Adams ripping some race course single track:

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“It’s going to be a fun and low key ride followed by some food and refreshments in one of the TRU suites,” says Adams. “We want people to experience, on a smaller scale, what the race will be like and show them why Kamloops offers the best single-track riding in North America.”

TRU is the core of the Intermontane food and accommodation program for the 2009 race. TRU’s apartment-style residences will be available for competitors and the university’s culinary department will be providing food.

“We hope offering the best accommodations, food, course design and prize purse will help to create a very competitive start line for the 2009 event,” says Kelly Servinski, marketing director for the Intermontane Challenge. “

To register or sponsor the Intermontane Challenge, visit www.intermontanechallenge.com or contact:

Chuck Brennan
Event Coordinator
1-877-377-8665
chuck@intermontanechallenge.com

Sheila Calder
Peak Communicators
604-689-5559
scalder@peakco.com