Contact: Allison Capaldi / Indy Bishop
Moosejaw
248.246.4015


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



Green Country Adventure Racers / Moosejaw Press Release

Wichita, KS, May 19, 2006 – Wichita resident Mark Alft, as part of Team Green Country Adventure Racers (GCAR Moosejaw®) , will be attending the world’s ultimate test of human endurance, selfless teamwork and relentless determination at the Primal Quest® Expedition Adventure Race®. These weekend warriors have been preparing for this endeavor for over four years and are ready to race with the best in the world. Team GCAR Moosejaw is made up of individuals spread out across the United States with one common goal. That goal is to finish the toughest endurance race in the world. Primal Quest will take place from June 25 to July 4, 2006, ten days of non-stop racing that will include running, white water and flat water paddling, mountain biking, horseback riding, white water swimming and fixed rope climbing. Only a map and compass can be used to navigate the racecourse. The course route is top secret and will only be divulged to the teams one leg at a time. It will take place in the four corners region of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico from the desert to snow covered peaks.

The GCAR Moosejaw super hero team members are: Mark Alft aka Thor (Wichita, KS)- captain, Markley Anderson aka Captain America (Hattiesburg, MS) - motivator, Dennis Crosby aka Iron Man (Tulsa, OK)- comedian, and Mickey McNeil aka Electra (Springfield, OH)- therapist. Mark Alft is an engineer with LSI Logic. Markley Anderson is a Behavior Specialist with Lamar County School District. Dennis Crosby is an Information Systems Manager with Lumen Midstream. Mickey McNeil is a Massage Therapist with the Cincinnati Reds baseball team. Each individual on the team has proven themselves ready for the challenge by participating in multi-sport races over the last 5-8 years ranging from 2 hours to 4 days in length.

Mark, Markley and Dennis decided back in the latter part of 2005 to apply for the Primal Quest, which was set up on a lottery system. Team GCAR Moosejaw did not get selected in the lottery process. However, that did not discourage the team’s hopes and they prepared and trained as if they were already in the race. The team met in March 2006 to get the required certifications needed to race. The certifications needed are: Horseback Riding, Fixed Ropes, Mountaineering, Whitewater Kayaking, Navigation, Swimming and First Aid. The team had difficulty in obtaining a female teammate, which is required to compete. Several very qualified females stepped up to take the risk of training and preparing for a race that was not guaranteed. The team was complete when Mickey joined in April 2006, but still no race slot.

The team competed in the three-day Mighty MO Expedition, which as a grand prize was the last available slot for the Primal Quest. GCAR Moosejaw performed well and finished the difficult and brutal course set in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. However, the slot was awarded to Team Nike®, a team that was already entered in the Primal Quest. GCAR Moosejaw was not able to obtain the slot from Nike. However, Nike did not leave GCAR Moosejaw hanging in the wind. Nike contacted the Primal Quest Race Director to see if there were any other slots available. Fortune would have it that a team in England had to relinquish their slot due to losing their navigator and efforts were made again to obtain the slot. After a week of communicating overseas with Team Endure/UK the slot was offered to Team GCAR Moosejaw on Tuesday morning May 16, 2006.

The opportunity of a lifetime has come about due to the positive efforts, faith and disciplined training the team has practiced since the idea was formulated at the end of last year. The tough part now begins for GCAR Moosejaw who is racing the four-day Michigan Coast to Coast Expedition Race at the end of May as a warm up for the Primal Quest. The team has six weeks to prepare and organize themselves so they are ready for the challenge this race presents. Most of the teams competing in the Primal Quest have had nearly 8 months to prepare. That is all right with Team GCAR Moosejaw as they love a challenge and this will surely be the largest they have ever faced.

Team GCAR is sponsored by Moosejaw Mountaineering of Madison Heights, MI. Moosejaw provides camping, trekking, climbing and paddling gear and has a keen interest in Adventure Racing. Visit their on-line store at http://www.moosejaw.com

The ultimate test of human endurance, selfless teamwork, and relentless determination – Primal Quest is the world’s toughest Expedition Adventure Race. Covering over 500 miles and lasting up to 10 days, co-ed teams of four travel non-stop using only a map and compass to navigate this grueling and unforgiving course. Held in a new international location each year adventurers from all over the world run, bike, paddle and traverse the rugged terrain in the quest to reach the finish line. For all teams, to simply complete Primal Quest is a remarkable achievement and the culmination of an incredible journey. For the exceptional few who are good enough to win Primal Quest, a $250,000 prize purse adds to the riches of being recognized as the best in the sport. For more information www.ecoprimalquest.com


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