It’s no secret that Google Maps (and for that fact Google Earth) have been a huge success for Google. With the Google Maps API, anyone can add information onto a Google Map instance on their own website. In fact, we used the Google Maps API to give our team lists a spruce up last year. You can see an example of a Google Map loaded with all the registered Ultra O-gaine teams here.
If you visited the UOG team list before, you may notice a change in the Google Map linked above. Up until a few weeks ago, you could only have a map, satellite, and hybrid layer on your Google Map. A few weeks ago Google added a terrain layer to the previous layers available. With a few lines of additional code I’ve added the terrain layer to our own Google Map. I’ve been toying with some other ideas on how to use the terrain layer, so you may see this new option in Google Maps show up somewhere else on our website. Stay tuned.
[Via the Map Room]
I’ve been meaning to put up a Checkpoint Adventures online store for quite some time. I finally got around to doing it last night. Right now there is only one item, but it’s a cool one I think. We’re selling the sticker below for $3.00 and that includes shipping. If you’re interested, check out our online store.
For those of you looking for a race in October, I suggest you check out the Strong Adventure Race. The race will feature a youth event (2 hours) and a longer main event (6 hours). The race takes place in Chattanooga and benefits a local YMCA so the proceeds are going to a very good cause. The Strong AR is directed by our very own Cathi Cannon!
Registration is currently underway and the price is very reasonable. Your money includes a goodie bag, food, drinks, and an event shirt. 3 person coed teams (main event only) will compete for a $1,000 cash purse. Check out the race website for more information.
It’s been exactly a month since the Ultra O-gaine started on June 8th just outside Chattanooga, TN. 24 hours later, the event ended and months of planning came to an exciting conclusion. Jon Barker, from Team Checkpoint Zero took home first place in the Ultra (24 hour) course. In the Half Ultra (12 hour) course, Team Toccoa (with some of my old teammates) took home first place. Congratulations to both Team Toccoa and Jon Barker for their first place finishes!
Robert Milks from Wilderness Adventure Photography was out on the course and took a bunch of pictures. Drop by his website and pick up a few pictures for your collection. Jim Farmer took a few pictures too and you can see them here.
Patrick and I would like to say thank you to everyone who came out and participated in the UOG this year. We have received some amazing feedback from everyone and from our survey results everyone really enjoyed themselves. Those participants that have raced both UOG’s said this years race was much more enjoyable. We really went over the feedback from last year and made changes that we felt would make it a more enjoyable event. We’re very glad it seems to have paid off.
A big thank you to our volunteers (Colleen and Marc) and to our sponsors Hammer Nutrition, myTopo, and Zanfel. We look forward to seeing you at another one of our events. Best of luck to you all for the rest of your racing season!
It’s official, Primal Quest will return in 2008. Don Mann will be the new Primal Quest CEO and the event will take place in one of 3 US mountain states. Registration for PQ at the yet announced location will open July 1st, 2007. If you want to race, you should sign up early since the race will be limited to 75 teams. You can read more details about the 2008 Primal Quest here. The biggest news is that Bill and Denise Watkins will no longer be financial backers of the event. It was long rumored that one stumbling block for the event to continue was a lack of financial backers.