After months of searching, ASICS announced last week a line-up of professional athletes to take part in the challenging ASICS Beat the Sun 2016. 24 amateur runners will get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to team up with these world-class athletes in the event.

Happening on Tuesday, 21 June 2016, the relay marathon challenges athletes to beat the sun around Mont Blanc in the time between sunrise and sunset. In a breathtaking multi-terrain course around Europe’s highest peak, they will tackle tough conditions while journeying through France, Italy and Switzerland in just one day.

Who are these World-Class Athletes?

Former Olympians Ryan Hall, Deena Kastor and Erben Wennemars will join the unique challenge in Chamonix, France. Hall is the record-holder for the fastest American marathoner, compatriot Kastor is a 2004 Olympic marathon bronze medallist, while Wennemars is a multiple World Champion Dutch sprint speed skater.

Other experts participating in ASICS Beat the Sun are British marathon runner Matty Hynes, German extreme obstacle racer Charles Franzke, as well as trail running legends American Megan Kimmel, Spaniard Pablo Villalobos, Brazilian Iaza Feitoza, Swede Jonas Buud, Italian Xavier Chevrier and Canadian David Le Porho.

Also joining them is Singapore’s very own Raviin S/O Muthu Kumar, SEA Games 2015 Athletics Squad runner and 1500 metres Bronze Medallist at the Singapore Open 15.

Raviin S/O Muthu Kumar, representing Singapore in ASICS Beat the Sun 2016.

New challenges await these 24 expert athletes as they attempt to transfer their athletic skills into running in the unfamiliar and demanding conditions around Mont Blanc. Taken out of their comfort zone, they will overcome trail, road and alpine terrain, high altitudes and low temperatures all in the same day.

A Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity

24 amateur runners will get an exclusive opportunity to team up with these expert athletes as they attempt to #BeatTheSun around Mont Blanc.

The experts will be teamed up with amateurs and allocated their intercontinental teams on Wednesday, 25 May 2016.

There will be eight intercontinental teams: Europe North, South and Central, America North and South, Oceania, Asia and Africa. Comprising of three amateur and three expert athletes, each team has just 15 hours, 41 minutes and 35 seconds to cover the 150 km course.

Team Asia Pacific crossing the finish line together at ASICS Beat the Sun 2015 (First row from left) Mr Andy Neo, Mr Winston Ng, Mr Shingo Shintani. (Second row from left) Mr Pete Jacobs and Mrs Jamielle Jacobs. Mr Kota Araki at the back in the blue jacket.

To sign up for this unique challenge, amateur runners can join the ASICS #BeatTheSun online community before Sunday, 24 April 2016.

What Happens From Here

1. Once you have signed up, you will gain access to an exclusive online training programme, developed by ASICS pro athlete coaches, which includes strength, nutrition, running and trail-specific advice.
2. ASICS will announce 50 semi-finalists for the event in Chamonix, France on 25 April. The top 50 will then start the elite training phase in preparation for the once-in-a-lifetime event.
3. The final 24 amateurs, determined by a combination of online voting and a panel of experts, will be announced on 23 May 2016.
4. Expert athletes from their team will mentor the selected in the final month leading up to 21 June. Besides receiving ASICS gear for training and race day, amateurs will also enjoy a 5-day trip to Chamonix with all travel, accommodation and expenses covered.
5. Once in Chamonix, each runner will complete two relay sections of between 4.5 km and 17 km, across varied altitude and terrain. All that training will prove worthwhile as they cross the most spectacular natural scenery in France, Italy, and Switzerland in less than a day’s span.

Find out more information and register as an amateur runner on the official event page.