NEWRY — More than 800 racers are currently signed up to compete in Sunday River Ski Resort’s second annual Tough Mountain Challenge on Saturday, July 23.

Last year’s grueling debut course attracted 197 racers and had 12 obstacles.

This year’s challenge features an alpine footrace and nearly twice as many obstacles, spokeswoman Darcy Morse said Tuesday.

It’s also open to the first 1,000 competitors ages 18 and older who sign up.

Registration for the Tough Mountain Challenge costs $49 and is available through toughmountain.com.

“The event is now 75 percent sold out,” she said.

“From crawling through mud to running through a battering ram of active snow guns, this 5-kilometer race takes participants across the summer slopes of Sunday River while pitting against them 16 of the resort’s best natural and man-made obstacles along the way.”

Three of the 16 have two or three surprise features stacked one atop the other for added effect, she said.

Among the new obstacles are the Hornet’s Nest; Burning Man, an area where racers will run over fire; and Gravity Plunge, which combines a slip and slide with a man-made pond and a dirt-pile exit, all while being soaked with a Boyne low-energy fan gun.

Also new this year, Sunday River invites little ones to take on a mini, kid-friendly version of the adult course, Morse said.

“Duly named the Mini Mountain Challenge, the race is designed for kids ages 4 through 12 years old and is completely free to participate in,” she said.

The Tough Mountain Challenge course runs out of the South Ridge base area with a schedule as follows:

* 8 a.m. to noon — Competitor check-in.

* 10 a.m. — First wave of racers.

* Noon — Barbecue opens and McAlister Drive provides live entertainment.

* 2 p.m. — Last wave of racers.

* 3 p.m. — Mini Mountain Challenge.

* 4 p.m. — Awards.

Registration for the Tough Mountain Challenge includes entry into the race, a Tough Mountain T-shirt and commemorative mug filled with a celebratory beverage of the competitor’s choice.

For more information, call 824-3000 or visit www.toughmountain.com.

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