VIRTUAL CHALLENGE: MAX VERT OCTOBER!

Do you have what it takes to compete in 4th Annual Cirque Series MAX VERT OCTOBER Challenge? We are prizing Top Five WOMEN & Top Five MEN in 2023.  Top three teams of two will also win prizes.  This contest will challenge runners & hikers to accomplish as much elevation gain as possible in the month of October.  Push your grit to new levels. You don't have to do it alone, grab a buddy and form a Team of two.  Since this is a virtual challenge, you can run or hike wherever & whenever you want.  Lets push some peaks!

CHALLENGE DESCRIPTION:  For the duration of October 1st through October 31st, the format is whoever can accomplish the most vert.  Everyone gets swag.  Top five individuals, both genders, will win prizes.   Top three teams of two will also win prizes.  

Very simple rules, enter your daily vert data into the platform, the Leaderboard will populate by most vert.  Once the challenge ends at 11:59PM on October 31st, we'll announce the winners.  Activities are round trip to be eligible. Not just ascent.  For example, we will not count a competitor's vert if they hike up & take a tram down.  Round trip data is mandatory.   (**no stairmaster, no treadmill allowed)

TIMELINE TO COMPLETE THE CHALLENGE

Contest starts at Midnight October 1st, 2023.  Contest ends 11:59pm October 31st, 2023.

ALL DEADLINES ARE MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME.

SWAG

Every competitor will receive:

*Custom downloadable Finisher Certificate 

*Custom downloadable bib

*25K'ft increment Badges throughout the challenge

**Prizing will be issued to top 5 placers, both genders, for Individuals.    

**And Prizing issued to Top 3 teams of two. 

Product from On, Backcountry.com & more.

INDIVIDUAL CHALLENGE - PRIZING - both genders:

1st place:   Head-to-toe kit (shoes, socks, shorts, shirt, hat) from On.  Backcountry.com $300 Gift cert.  Personal Max Vert stats engraved YETI bottle & PEAK FREAK BELT BUCKLE. And $500 CASH.

2nd place: On head-to-toe kit of your choice (shoes, socks, shorts, shirt, hat). Backcountry.com $250 Gift cert. Personal stats engraved YETI bottle, & PEAK FREAK BELT BUCKLE.

3rd place: On head-to-toe kit of your choice (shoes, socks, shorts, shirt, hat).  Backcountry.com $250 Gift cert. Personal stats engraved YETI bottle & PEAK FREAK BELT BUCKLE. 

4th place: On shoes, socks, & shirt of your choice.  Backcountry.com $250 Gift cert. Personal stats engraved YETI bottle, & PEAK FREAK BELT BUCKLE. 

5th place: On shoes, socks, & shirt of your choice.  Backcountry.com $250 Gift cert. Personal stats engraved YETI bottle, & PEAK FREAK BELT BUCKLE. 

TWO-PERSON TEAM CHALLENGE - PRIZING -  Both Team Members Will Receive:

1st place team: Head-to-toe kits (shoes, socks, shorts, shirt, hat) from On.  Backcountry.com $300 Gift cert.  

2nd place team: On head-to-toe kits of your choice (shoes, socks, shorts, shirt, hat). Backcountry.com $250 Gift cert.  

3rd place team: On head-to-toe kit of your choice (shoes, socks, shorts, shirt, hat).  Backcountry.com $200 Gift Cert.  

***Team members don't need to hike together, although you can, the best part you can live states apart!  It's your cumulative vert that will be added up & contribute to your Team ranking on the Team Leaderboard.  We ask all teams are set by Oct. 3rd.

ADDITIONAL PRIZING:
1. Keep it green! Pick up trash on the trail. Show us your photos of picking up trash. 

We'll reward one winner with On shoes & socks of your choice & Backcountry.com $100 Gift Cert.

Tag your photos from your clean up activities with these tags & hashtags:  #maxvertoctober #pushpeaks @cirqueseries @on_running @backcountry

LOG YOUR ACTIVITIES
After completing your efforts, please post your results to this web site, using the Results link at the top of the page. You can log daily, the platform will track your efforts. Everything is on the honor system when posting race results.  We ask you to upload a screenshot or URL of each activity to verify any potential disputes.  Lets play a clean contest!  (FYI, 2021, 2022 Max Vert October worked great all on honor system)

**While we know you can track your activity with a number of different apps, watch, or fitness device, we ask that you use Strava for consistent GPX readings for all competitors.**

PRINT YOUR FINISHERS CERTIFICATE
After you complete the challenge, be sure to print your custom finishers certificate.  Simply click on your name in the results page after they are posted and click the link below your bib number in the upper right hand corner.

SAFETY TIPS:
Avoid high pedestrian traffic places
Run/hike during off-peak times
Be prepared, hydrate, dress appropriately 
Pace yourself

**Please be respectful of the natural places you'll be exploring

We acknowledge this will be far more challenging for those in flatlands compared to those in more mountainous terrain, but encourage people to get creative to maximize your elevation gain - stairs, bridges, loops around a city block with a steep hill, etc.  
 

HAVE FUN!  #pushpeaks #maxvertoctober