Press Release

CODY’S CHALLENGE, A RANDONEE ENDURANCE RACE, TACKLES MT. WERNER AGAIN

The Cody St. John Foundation Will Give 5 More Scholarships for Medical Education and Patrol Teams can Bring Home CODY’S CUP with a $2000.00 Prize!

Steamboat Springs, CO –  February 2012The Cody St. John Foundation along with the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, the Steamboat Ski Patrol and the United States Forest Service will host the 4th annual Cody’s Challenge, a “randonee” endurance race, on Saturday, March 17, 2012. Featured in the Powder Magazine’s November 2011 edition, Cody’s Challenge is Steamboat’s growing and nationally recognized contribution to this exciting and demanding sport, allowing participants the unique opportunity to climb, traverse and descend a variety of trails across Mt. Werner.

The purpose of Cody’s Challenge is to raise awareness of fitness, promote safety on the mountain, and honor the life of Cody St. John, a former Steamboat Ski Patroller.  In 2006, St. John was honored as the ‘Colorado Ski Country USA Patroller of the Year’. He was the first and remains the only full-time snowboarder to ever receive this prestigious honor. St. John, a professional Steamboat Ski Patroller, died on April 8, 2007. At the time of his accident, St. John was on his way to attend an orientation at the University of Wyoming for the nursing program. As a result, The Cody St. John Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity organization, was established in Cody’s memory. All profits go to providing scholarships to assist professional ski patrollers in furthering their medical education.

Race entry for Cody’s Challenge on Saturday, March 17th is $60 for the event only and $100 for the race and an all-day lift ticket. Cody’s Challenge will feature two courses: the long course is designed for the avid winter sportsman and the regular course to challenge athletes just wishing to partake. The event begins with a 7:45-8:00 AM upload on the Gondola for participants and start at the top of the Gondola at 8:30 AM. Both courses will finish toward the bottom of the mountain near Ski Time Square ending with the Post-Race Awards & lunch at the T-Bar Grill.

Everyone is invited to participate, but for the first time the Foundation will be promoting an inter-mountain Ski Patrol competition during Cody’s Challenge. Mountain patrols can send teams of two patrollers to compete. The team with the lowest combined score will win the coveted CODY’S CUP and a $2000.00 grant towards group medical training for their mountain’s patrol. Second prize will be a $1000.00 grant toward medical training.

An evening Race Celebration & Scholarship Awards will complete the day of activities from 6 – 12 midnight at The Arts Depot, which has been graciously donated by the Steamboat Springs Arts Council. A $20.00 ticket is your entry to enjoy an all-you-can-eat chili feast, two beers and music by a local band featuring a special guest performer, Cody’s heart recipient, David Freshman, an accomplished guitarist. At this evening event, the 5 scholarship awards will be announced. Silent auction items will be featured for bidding. The community is always invited to attend this fun-filled worthy event!

“It is truly remarkable how many people Cody touched with his kindness, enthusiasm for life, spiritualism along with his respect for the environment,” said Kyle Lawton, the course designer and Steamboat Ski Patroller. “We hope this race has the same impact and touches as many people as Cody did during his life.”

Registration forms for Cody’s Challenge are available on-line. Late registration will take place on Friday, March 16 from 4-6 PM at the Ski Patrol Locker Room in Gondola Square or on Saturday, March 17 from 7- 7:45 AM at Bear River Grill at the Gondola base.  For more information contact either Kyle Lawton at 970-846-9250 or Marc George at 410-544-8413 or visit the 2012 Cody’s Challenge posting.