SUBMITTED PRESS RELEASE

SAN LEANDRO, California—February 2, 2010— The North Face, the world’s premier supplier of authentic, innovative and technically advanced outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear, today communicated the cancellation of The North Face Endurance Challenge Northwest Regional event in Bellingham, Washington, anticipated for October 9-10, 2010.  Due to unforeseen and insurmountable challenges with the permit process, the Northwest Regional event will be held in a market and venue to be determined.  

“It is with great regret that this change is made to the 2010 Endurance Challenge Series schedule,” said Katie Ramage, Senior Manager of Sports Marketing for The North Face. “The runners, volunteers, and local partners in this region have been among the most rewarding to work with.”

The North Face remains committed to the Northwest region and the running community.  The Seattle-based The North Face Running Club will continue in 2010, as will sponsorship and support by The North Face of local running events such as the Spokane River Run and Watershed Preserve 12-Hour Trail Race.

All participants from the 2008 and 2009 Northwest Regional events in Bellingham will be guaranteed entry into any of the other 2010 Endurance Challenge Series events.  

Various geographic markets and venues across the country are being considered for a replacement event, while the other events – Bear Mountain, New York; Washington, DC; Madison, Wisconsin, San Francisco, California – will remain unchanged.

Each men’s and women’s regional 50-mile winners will take home $1,000. At the championship in San Francisco, California, $10,000 each will go to the top male and female 50-mile finishers.

The 2010 The North Face Endurance Challenge presented by Gore-Tex will feature a new two-day format, with the 50 Mile, 50K, Marathon, Marathon Relay and kids races held on Saturday, and the Half Marathon, 10K and 5K races on Sunday. Also new to 2010, participants will now have the ability to run to raise money and awareness for a particular cause of their choice, create a corporate relay team or enroll children in a running event catered to their age group.

For in-depth details, event dates, locations, registration and more information, please visit www.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge.