Descending from the White Mountains to Hampton Beach State Park, the upcoming sixth annual Reach the Beach (RTB) Relay Race symbolizes the ultimate endurance adventure, incorporating teamwork, dedication, and adrenaline. Teams are set to leave the starting blocks between 7:30am and 3:00pm on September 17 from the lodge located at the base of Bretton Woods Ski Resort.

Eastern Mountain Sports is the title sponsor for the 2004, 2005, and 2006 seasons, and they are offering a broad spectrum of backing for the race. Support includes transition station volunteers, donating tents to the official 'tent city' for support personnel, gearing-up all competitors with Eastern Mountain Sports Techwick™ high-aerobic shirts, and incorporating the "Raise the Roof" tour into the start and finish-line festivities (the tour includes a 25-foot climbing wall and adventure village for participants and spectators).

"It was the terrific organization and ambiance of the event that drew us to it," says Mark Van Saun, Eastern Mountain Sports Marketing Manager. "Eastern Mountain Sports is a company that lives and breathes outdoor adventure, and we possess a deeply-rooted New England heritage which creates a natural fit for this event partnership. The race allows us to create a loyal following of both amateur and professional athletes."

Proceeds from the EMS RTB Relay will benefit the New Hampshire State Park system. The race has grown from 28 teams in 1999 to a presently sold-out field of 250 teams (2,800 competitors) for the upcoming 2004 event.

Timberland Company, based in Stratham, New Hampshire, is offering race support through City Year New Hampshire (CYNH), an 'urban Peace Corps' that brings together young people from diverse backgrounds for a year of full-time community service, and leadership development. CYNH is providing 50 members as volunteers along the relay course.

Reach the Beach Race Course

The course is comprised of 36 segments or 'legs' beginning at Bretton Woods Resort, New Hampshire's largest ski resort. The first five legs offer the most aggressive terrain, then competitors race southward through the night until they reach the beach.

Runners generally compete in teams of 12, rotating through each leg as they cover the course. Presenting 18 different team categories, the RTB offers one of the most diverse fields of athletes; including various men's, women's, mixed, and corporate combinations. All participants of the race receive a finisher's medal, commemorative T-shirt, and a team photo.

Bucknell Alumni Reebok Distance Team, a 12-man team with members from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, successfully defended their 2002 RTB title by winning the 2003 race with a time of 19:42:47 -- averaging a 5:42 mile throughout the race. They will be defending their title again this year.

Another highlight for the upcoming 2004 race is the first ever two-man team including Badwater Ultra Marathon champion and The North Face sponsored team member Dean Karnazes, and his running mate, three-time Triple Ironman champion Christopher Bergland. Together, they will split the 210-mile course and race as an ultra team.

Media Exclusives

· Pre-Race Athlete Interviews at Bretton Woods Lodge. 9/16, 4-9pm
· Dinner Available for Media Representatives. 9/16, 6pm - 8pm (RSVP: 9/10 to Deb at RTB)
· Dean Karnazes Athlete Presentation and Slide Show. 9/16, 8pm
· Race Start: Bretton Woods Ski Resort, Rt. 302 North. 9/17, 7:30am - 3pm
· Press-Accessible Athlete / Vehicle Transition Area. 9/18, 6am - 2pm
§ Located at Kingston State Park entrance, Main Street, Kingston, NH
· Finish Line: Hampton Beach State park, Rt. 1A South. 9/18, 11am-6pm

The EMS Reach the Beach (RTB) Relay is the creation of race co-directors Mike Dionne and Rich Mazzola. Both Dionne and Mazzola are multi-sport athletes and have over 25 combined years of experience in event promotion. For full results and images of the fifth annual (2003) RTB Relay, visit the RTB Web site at www.rtbrelay.com.

For general media inquiries, contact:

· RTB: Deb Dionne (508) 320-7068; deb-dionne@comcast.net
· EMS: Justin Gural (802) 238-1692; jgural@fusemarketing.com
Additional resources:

City Year New Hampshire
www.cityyear.org/new_hampshire/
www.timberland.com
Contact: Janet Brennan
Phone: 603-773-1589

Dean Karnazes
www.thenorthface.com/na/athletes-DK.html
Contact: Nina Johnson
Phone: 510-618-2815

The EMS Raise the Roof Tour
www.ems.com
Contact: Heather Hennessy
Phone: 802-383-1415

     
   Director, Public Relations
   RTB Relay, Inc.
   Hopkinton,    MA,    01748
   USA
   508-497-9939 (phone)
   deb-dionne@comcast.net