Be A Modern Hero

    
    Spartan Race Comes to Montreal July 4




    
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<p><span class="xn-location">MONTREAL</span>, <span class="xn-chron">June 9</span> /CNW/ -- Spartan Race -- <span class="xn-location">Montreal</span> (<a href="http://www.spartanrace.com">www.spartanrace.com</a>) comes on <span class="xn-chron">July 4</span> to the greater <span class="xn-location">Montreal</span> region for a day-long competition beginning at <span class="xn-chron">10 a.m.</span> at the Domaine Saint-Bernard, 539 Chemin Saint-Bernard in Mont-Tremblant. The competition will be followed by post-race activities.</p>
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<p>Several thousand runners and athletes are expected to brave a short, 5 km, obstacle-strewn course that will include, among others, spear throwing, mud crawls, climbing 8-foot walls, and fire jumping.</p>
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<p>The Spartan Race Series was conceived by <span class="xn-person">Joe Desena</span> of Pittsfield, VT, who is known as the uber-sports guru and mastermind of the now-infamous Death Race held annually in Vermont.</p>
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<p>The new international Spartan Race Series will hold its Canadian premiere this Summer to benefit the Strong Kids Campaign of the YMCAs of <span class="xn-location">Quebec</span>. A portion of race entry fees will be donated to the campaign.</p>
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<p>The YMCAs of <span class="xn-location">Quebec</span> is a charitable organization dedicated to the development of people in spirit, mind and body, and to the empowerment of individuals, families and communities. Each year the YMCAs run the Strong Kids Campaign to raise funds to ensure that children from all walks of life can learn to swim, go to camp, participate in sports and recreational activities, and generally have fun and be healthy.</p>
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    Boot Camp preparation

    
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<p>To prepare for the Spartan Race, the Downtown <span class="xn-location">Montreal</span> and West Island Y centres will host complimentary Spartan Boot Camps for members and people over age 16 who register for Spartan Race. The purpose of the Boot Camp is to allow people to motivate each other as they work out and prepare for their Spartan battle. The first Spartan Boot Camp is <span class="xn-chron">June 14</span> from <span class="xn-chron">6:35 p.m.</span> to <span class="xn-chron">7:15 p.m.</span> at the Downtown Y centre; the second is <span class="xn-chron">June 18</span> from <span class="xn-chron">5:30 p.m.</span> to <span class="xn-chron">6:15 p.m.</span> at the West Island Y centre.</p>
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<p>"Mental and physical challenges on our courses will give people something different to do - and think about," said Spartan Race Director <span class="xn-person">Brian Duncanson</span>. "It's a metaphor for life; you never know what's around the corner. You just have to deal with the challenge presented to you and move on."</p>
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<p>From the thousands of competitors who engage in the Spartan Race Series, Duncanson said one percent are expected to make the cut to become eligible to compete in the annual Death Race held in Pittsfield.</p>
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    Who does Duncanson see as Spartan Race competitors?

    
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<p>"Everyone, really. The Spartan Races are designed for participants to have fun and cross the finish line. You need a little physical conditioning and a taste for some adventure," said Duncanson.</p>
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<p>The finish line/expo arena will be designed for a hero's welcome with a post-event feast along with such medieval events as spear throwing and fire breathing.</p>
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<p>"This is not an extreme sporting event that will scare people away. It's about the fun, getting dirty, getting down in the mud, something exciting and new," said Duncanson.</p>
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<p>The festive event welcomes the public who come to support their favorite Spartans.</p>
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<p>People may register online as a solo participant or in teams of 4 at <a href="http://www.spartanrace.com">www.spartanrace.com</a>. The entry fee is <span class="xn-money">$50</span> until <span class="xn-chron">June 14</span> and <span class="xn-money">$60</span> up to the close of registration on <span class="xn-chron">July 2</span>.</p>
<p>For more information and video coverage of the race, please visit the Journalist link at <a href="http://www.spartanrace.com">www.spartanrace.com</a>.</p>
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    About the Spartan Race

    
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<p>The race series began in May in Vermont. After <span class="xn-location">Montreal</span> it goes to: <span class="xn-chron">Aug. 15</span> <span class="xn-location">New York City</span>, <span class="xn-chron">Aug. 28</span> <span class="xn-location">Boston</span>, <span class="xn-chron">Sept. 19</span> Cambridge UK, <span class="xn-chron">Oct. 3</span> <span class="xn-location">Houston</span>, <span class="xn-chron">Oct. 3</span> Manchester UK, <span class="xn-chron">Dec. 12</span> <span class="xn-location">Los Angeles</span>.  For details please see <a href="http://www.spartanrace.com">www.spartanrace.com</a>.</p>
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<p>The series is under the auspices of Peak Races of Pittsfield, VT. <a href="http://www.peakraces.com">www.peakraces.com</a></p>
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    About the YMCAs of Quebec

    
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<p>The first YMCA in <span class="xn-location">North America</span> was founded in <span class="xn-location">Montreal</span> in <span class="xn-chron">November 1851</span>. The mission of this charitable organization is to promote the development of people in spirit, mind, and body, and to the empowerment of individuals, families, and communities. Its ten centres are visited each year by more than 100,000 people who benefit from its health, fitness and recreation, and education and training programs, as well as its children and youth programs, its community and international initiatives, and its donations and volunteering. The YMCAs of <span class="xn-location">Quebec</span> is part of the Canadian network of 54 YMCA associations. For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.ymcaquebec.org">www.ymcaquebec.org</a>.</p>
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For further information: ANGLOPHONE: Sara Widness, [phone], [email protected], or FRANCOPHONE: Selica Sevigny, [phone] [email protected] Web Site: http://www.spartanrace.com