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For Immediate ReleaseCONTACT: 2009 24 Hours of Sunlight Saved By Sponsors – Early Registration Open!November 17, 2008; Glenwood Springs, Colorado – Organizers of the 24 Hours of Sunlight are pleased to announce that the race is returning to Sunlight Mountain Resort in 2009, largely in part to the support of sponsor, American National Bank. The Aspen Daily News reported this summer that the event might be cancelled or relocated to another host site due to lack of funding, but thanks to American National Bank, early registration for the 2009 race opens November 1, 2008. Participants can save $25 by registering by midnight on December 31, 2008. “We are excited to sponsor such a fun community event, held right in our backyard,” commented John Masur, Branch President of American National Bank – Glenwood Springs. Marketing support for the race will be enhanced through the support of the Glenwood Chamber Resort Association. “Glenwood Springs is a popular destination for endurance events like 24 Hours of Sunlight, and for niche athletic events like freestyle kayaking competitions. The events are excellent for the media and attention they attract to the region and we support them," said Kate Collins, Vice President of Tourism Marketing – Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association. The 24 Hours of Sunlight is an endurance race challenging teams of all ages and abilities to hike up the mountain and ski, board, and/or snowshoe down, for an entire 24-hour period. The team concept allows people to challenge themselves and compete against their friends as well as the field. The goal spectrum ranges from just finishing, to accomplishing the most human powered vertical feet skied in 24 hours. Last year, Eric Sullivan of Crested Butte set a new world record finishing 34 laps / 47.6 miles / 51,068 vertical feet. Roaring Fork Valley residents, Robert Lowe and Brian Johnson finished second and third respectively. Raw and humorous race video from 2007 and 2008 on the event homepage, 24hoursofsunlight.com, shows how fun and challenging the race can be! The fourth annual race date has been set for February 7-8, 2009, at Sunlight Mountain Resort in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The 24 Hours of Sunlight challenges anyone who participates, regardless of athletic ability or age. The 2008 race attracted over 266 participants, from high-school students to seniors. In fact, last year, a new junior-class was established to include three teams from Colorado Rocky Mountain School. Lou Dawson, Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Famer, commented, “Let me say again that this was one of the most positive and enjoyable events I’ve ever been involved with. I encourage anyone to take a few days off from backcountry skiing next winter and try getting your personal best daily vertical … and socialize with a fine group of people.” American National Bank is a member of the Sturm Financial Group, consisting of 39 community banks located in Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas and Missouri, 15 of which are located in the Western Region of Colorado. The Sturm Financial Group maintains financial strength embodied in approximately $2.2 billion in assets. The banking centers proudly deliver personalized, quality service to their customers, with local staff and responsive, local decision-making. The Bank offers a wide array of financial services for personal and business needs such as deposit accounts, BankAtEase Internet Banking, e-Services, cash management services, Wealth Management, and commercial, consumer, and SBA loans. To register for the 2009 24 Hours of Sunlight, visit 24hoursofsunlight.com
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