Trail runners and off-road cyclists are invited to participate in the inaugural ADK 80K, an eight-of-a-kind endurance racing event to be held in Lake Placid, N.Y. on Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 31 – Sept. 1, 2013.
The races cover 80 kilometers (80k) in distance, in a figure-8 design, feature $8,000 in prizes in 8 categories with an 8:00 a.m. start time. The weekend consists of two separate events, both taking place on the Mount Van Hoevenberg trail system used in the 1980 Olympic Winter Games biathlon and cross country ski races, and now celebrating 20 years as the home base of High Peak Mountain Bike Center.
The ADK 80K begins with a trail running race on Saturday, followed by Sunday’s mountain bike race with a cyclocross division. Both races include four 20 kilometer loops in a figure 8 design with aid stations every 5k, each returning to the family-friendly race village twice, complete with food, refreshments and live music. The festive weekend also includes a mini-trail run on Saturday and mountain bike race on Sunday for kids beginning at 4pm. Both mini-races cover a distance of 8 kilometers, with four loops of 2 kilometers each.
The ADK 80K is organized by the experienced team from High Peaks Cyclery and Downhill Mike of the Whiteface Mountain Bike Park. “It’s great to utilize the outstanding trail system at Mount Van Hoevenberg for a summer event of this sort,” said Brian Delaney, president/owner of High Peaks Cyclery, now celebrating 30 years of business in Lake Placid. “Downhill Mike and I have been dreaming of this event since the popular 24-hour team mountain bike endurance race was discontinued years ago, and we look forward to welcoming hundreds of athletes of all levels to join in on this inaugural weekend.”
Trail runners and cyclists can race solo, 2-person or 4-person teams. Cyclists can ride mountain bikes or cyclocross bikes. The first 80 registrants receive free t-shirts, and the top three winners in each category will win commemorative Adirondack-themed awards as well as winners’ jerseys or performance running t-shirts. Logo goods will be available for purchase in advance at High Peaks Cyclery in Lake Placid and on site at the event.
Registration is $80 per person, and is now open and information is online at highpeakscyclery.com, or call Brian with questions at 518.523.3764. Onsite registration will be available at 6:00 a.m. both days of the event.