Expedition Oregon Offers $2500 Stipend to GODZone Teams

Press Release / 16.09.2023

BEND, OREGON, Sept 13 2023 — In response to the recent announcement from GodZone adventure race in New Zealand, Expedition Oregon has offered a $2500 USD  financial stipend to Kiwi (and other international) teams that were registered for the event.  To qualify for the cash stipend, teams must have been registered for the 2024 GodZone race and come race the 2024 Expedition Oregon: America’s Toughest Race.  The stipend is limited to 8 teams, and is financed by several organizations involved in the sport as well as local and regional tourism.  

Expedition Oregon event director Jason Magness has participated in the GodZone race four times and credits it for becoming the most well known expedition race in the world.  “Over the years Godzone grew to be the race of all races - known more than any other for both its unending beauty and incredible physical and mental challenges. It shaped who I am as an athlete and even more as a race director of my own expedition events.  It was the inspiration for the creation of Expedition Oregon.

“GodZone is one of the most visually stimulating events in the world,” adds course designer Darren Steinbach “and I am pleased to say that Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge will not disappoint in that regard.  Teams will spend most of the race trying to keep their eyes from straying up to gaze at the scenic view.  Not much in America can match the scale and scope of the beauty competitors see in GodZone, but this year’s Expedition Oregon will.”

Bend Racing (the event organizer) recognizes that travel to races in North America is an expensive endeavor for teams from Oceania and Europe and the stipend will help offset much of those travel costs.  “We know how many strong and experienced teams there are in that region of the world - teams that have never traveled to race outside of that area,” Bend Racing says, “we would be honored to welcome teams to the start line in Sept 2024”.

Expedition Oregon will take place in Sept 2024.  It is 450 km long, with 10000 m elevation gain and includes trekking, whitewater paddling, mountain biking, ropes, caves, orienteering, and cultural challenges.  It is part of the Adventure Racing World Series.  For more information visit www.BendRacing.com.  Interested teams can contact the race organizers at bendracingor@gmail.com to see if they qualify for the stipend.