World-class athletes taking on Nepisiguit Challenge this weekend

The wait is almost over for participants as The Nepisiguit Challenge is set to take place this Saturday and Sunday, October 7th and 8th. 124 athletes from the three maritime provinces, Québec and Ontario, will take on the two-day multi-disciplinary adventure race spanning approximately 140 kilometres from Mount Carleton Provincial Park to Bathurst, New Brunswick. This endurance event provides participants with an opportunity to test their limits in the disciplines of canoeing, biking and running while showcasing the rugged beauty of the Nepisiguit river region.   High profile athletes taking part In only its’ second year of existence, the Nepisiguit Challenge is already establishing itself as a premiere event in adventure racing, attracting elite athletes. Among others, defending champion Anthony Audet from Maria QC is already, at 21 years old, an established competitor in World Cup Mountain Biking with three 2017 Europe competitions under his belt. Double Olympian Lyne Bessette, a world-class racer since 1999, will also take on the challenging two-day event. “With the race registrations filling to capacity within less than two weeks and having renowned athletes taking part in an event that is only two years in existence, it is a testament to the exciting challenge it offers to participants”, said Ryan Wilbur, Recreation Programmer for Bathurst’s Recreation & Tourism Department. “The race committee and the more than 30 volunteers have worked diligently to present a premiere event in adventure racing and we believe all participants will enjoy the challenge”. Twelve four-person mixed teams will take part in the Competitive category, with $5000 in total cash prizes for the top-three finishers. Eight three-person teams and twenty-six two-person teams will also participate in the 2017 Nepisiguit Challenge.