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PARK CITY — For many athletes, a 400-meter run doesn’t sound too difficult. But the Red Bull 400 adds a few unique elements, making it one of the toughest competitions out there. For starters, the race is held at high elevations. And, most notably, the course takes participants up the face of a ski jump.
According to Red Bull’s official website, the Red Bull 400 has been around for seven years. It’s held ski jumps around the world, with the first event of 2017 hosted in Kazakhstan back in May. The competition makes its way through multiple locations in Europe, Asia and North America, before making a final stop in Park City on Sept. 30.
This is actually the third year the race has been hosted at the Utah Olympic Park, and with its starting elevation of 6,870 feet, it will be a grueling test of endurance. The views from the 2002 Winter Games ski jump are fantastic, but competitors may be too focused on survival to notice.
So what type of gear does one use for a near-vertical sprint? Nothing special, actually. Regular running or trail running shoes work great, and there are no extra spikes or traction devices allowed. Also, accessories like poles are forbidden. For the record, dogs are allowed, as long as they’re on a leash.
One crucial rule is that once you step on the ramp, you have to finish the race. There is no turning back. This is for each competitor’s safety, as well as for the other runners around them.
The competition is open to a thousand registrants, with eight different options: Individual Men’s and Women’s Solo, Red Bull 400 COED relay (4x100m), Red Bull 400 Solo Group Discount (10 participants), Red Bull 400 Individual Ski Patrol/Fire/EMS/Military/Police discount, Individual Men's and Women’s Custom Heat Time and Red Bull 400 Heat Buyout (a corporate option).
Competitors must be at least 16 years of age, and a parent or guardian must sign a release waiver for anyone under the age of 18.
If you think you’re up to the challenge, you can register for the Red Bull 400 in Park City by clicking here.
