FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Wanda Goodman, (605) 773-3301, wanda.goodman@state.sd.us

Primal Quest: Elements of the Past

PIERRE, S.D. -- In less than a year, co-ed teams of four will congregate in the Black Hills and Badlands area for a grueling 600-mile expedition adventure race. Primal Quest, an eco-friendly, non-stop endurance event will have competitors spelunking through caves, biking  and trekking the area’s many off-road trails, climbing over cliffs and paddling down rivers. This leaves many asking: Where did this race come from and who started it?

"The origins of adventure racing date back to the 1980’s and to New Zealand," said Don Mann, Director of Primal Quest. "In the mid 1990’s the concept became popularized by events like the Raid Gauloises, Eco Challenge and the BEAST of the East."

Primal Quest was introduced in 2002 and quickly earned worldwide recognition as the sport’s premier event. By 2003, Primal Quest became the first expedition adventure race to ever be shown on network television. Since then, the event has received more than $20 million dollars in media coverage and has been professionally filmed and distributed each year. Media and TV exposure has documented the drama and excitement of traveling 500+ miles, nonstop, day and night, through beautiful and unforgiving terrain using only nonmotorized transportation. Racing against the clock, other teams, and the forces of nature teams must trek, climb, kayak, mountain bike, and sometimes riverboard to successfully reach the finish line.

"History shows that the competitors must be in outstanding physical and mental condition and be able to continue on course for up to ten days with little or no sleep, " said Bill Davis, Primal Quest Race Manager. "It is truly amazing to experience the true capabilities of a highly trained and motivated athlete in a highly competitive and difficult environment. The top teams consistently show how this is done, race after race."  

Another historic aspect of Primal Quest are the hundreds of volunteers who are needed to help support the race, due to the 75-100, co-ed teams from countries all around the world competing. People who volunteer and race come from countries all over the world, including: Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom.

Past race locations include:
2002 = Telluride, CO
2003 = Lake Tahoe
2004 = Cascade Mountains in Washington
2006 = Utah
2008 = Montana

The Rapid City Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is a Million Dollar Challenge partner and has united with the South Dakota Office of Tourism to bring Primal Quest to the state through unique events and innovative marketing strategies. The Million Dollar Challenge program is part of the 2010 Initiative to double visitor spending in South Dakota. Program requirements, applications and additional information on the program are available at www.SDVisit.com.

About Primal Quest Badlands: Next summer, just after the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, co-ed teams of four will race through the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota from August 15th - 24th. The traditional adventure racing disciplines of trekking, mountain biking, orienteering, swimming, and paddling will be well represented, but competitors can expect new challenges as well. Athletes will spelunk in cave systems deep beneath the Black Hills, and will test their climbing abilities while ascending and rappelling from majestic towering spires. Navigation will play a much larger role than in previous Primal Quests and racers will traverse many miles of single track in the mountain biking sections. Teams will run with herds of buffalo and share the trail with deer, prairie dogs, turkeys, elk and big horn sheep. They will pass abandoned gold mines and historic western forts, while bald eagles soar overhead.

Media Notes:

                        For more information about Primal Quest, please visit www.ecoprimalquest.com or contact    info@ecoprimalquest.com.

       To register, visit http://www.ecoprimalquest.com/wp-primal/registration/. Registration opens November 10 and will sell out quickly.

       South Dakota Contact: Wanda Goodman at 605-773-3301 or Wanda.Goodman@state.sd.us
       Primal Quest Contact: Kraig Becker at Kraig.Becker@ecoprimalquest.com