COSBY-Get in running shape folks, here it comes again!

The Navy SEAL Extreme Off-Road Challenge is set for Halloween morning, Saturday, October 31, in Cosby. The event with local, regional, and multi-state appeal, is preparing for its second race event in 2009.

The first ever event was held in April, drawing an impressive 69 runners from Cocke County, all of East Tennessee, and believe it or not, four different states. However, the event creator, race director, and marketing representative, Dan Schreder of Smoky Mountain Endeavors, Inc. believes many more participants will come out in October.

"We continue to get the word out about this challenging event," said Schreder, a retired Navy veteran with nearly 19 years serving in our military's Special Operations arena as a Navy SEAL. "Our first ever event was a real success. I received such positive feedback from all of the participants. They have no doubt told friends and running partners about this unique competition, and I think they will be back and will be bringing friends with them. We are weeks away from the competition and I have already had many entry forms come in. I honestly expect between 150 and 200 participants for this one."

According to Schreder, on average, one in three participants bring a friend or some family with them, so they could see well over 300 people on race day.

Claiming to be "the most unique running and fitness event in Tennessee," Schreder makes sure he does not disappoint.

"The terrain alone here in Cosby is a real kick in the pants for participants over the 5.6 kilometer (3.5 mile) course, but by including a long hill climb that leads to great views of the National Park, steep down hill sections, a full blown man-made obstacle course with challenges requiring both strength and balance, a near vertical hillside rope climb, running through a shallow pond and a muddy creek bed, we make it tough, but break it up with one-of-a-kind variations that regular road races or trail runs just can't offer.

"Even though I am a recent transplant to this area, I take great pride in marketing and offering this event here in Cocke County (held on private property)," said Schreder. "If this event can have even a small positive economic impact on our county, I would be proud. I listen to good advice from our tourism director, Linda Lewanski, and our Cocke County Partnership representatives, Kandee Veridal and Lynn Ramsey, as I continue to try to platform this as a weekend getaway for participants that come from outside the area. If we can get folks to stay here and spend here, that translates into direct dollars for Cocke County. Anything ranging from a tank of gas, lunch at a local establishment, or two nights stay in a cabin rental or hotel is a win for Cocke County in my book," said Schreder.

For this upcoming fall race, Schreder has teamed up with the Boys & Girls Club of Newport/Cocke County. Proceeds from the race will be donated to the club. Shane Borie, local Unit Director of the Boys & Girls Club was surprised when approached by Smoky Mountain Endeavors, Inc.

"In early August Dan phoned me with his proposal to assist the Boys & Girls Club" said Borie. "It was a bit of a surprise. We have been very fortunate to receive donations from generous citizens and organizations of Cocke County through the years, but it's not every day that someone contacts us with this great energy and willingness to provide a donation and help us market the benefits of the Boys & Girls Club. We do what we can with what we have, but donations are incredibly helpful to our program and the young people it touches."

Assisting in event setup and race organization is the Lady Red basketball program, led by head coach Wade Wester.

"We were looking to do some community service that benefited a local program or charity, and strangely enough, Dan called me looking for assistance," said Wester. "The timing was incredible. We put our heads together and came up with a good plan for Dan and our girls to positively impact a great program like the Boys & Girls club. We're excited about it."

Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

"I generate sponsors to help pay down the costs associated with hosting the event," said Schreder. "The more sponsors I get, the more I can directly donate to the Boys & Girls Club." For this event, $200 gets the sponsor regional marketing with a web link from the official race site, name on the back of the event T-shirt, a professional quality banner that will hang at the race, the opportunity to come and promote the business or organization at the race itself, and the knowledge that the Boys & Girls Club is benefiting from all this.

"The event is open to spectators, free of charge," said Schreder. "We hope to have some curious folks come on out and see the excitement first hand. It's a spread out event, all over the property, but if folks wear good footwear, they can hike around and witness all the various aspects of the event."

The race has only one distance, but there are two categories: Individual or team competition. Individual needs no explaining. However, in the team competition, four person teams will compete for bragging rights, as each team must run the course together. In essence, the team is only as fast as its slowest competitor.

"I hope the team challenge gains in popularity, because it is an excellent way to grow camaraderie and teamwork," commented Schreder. "We had several teams for the last race, but the potential is limitless. I created the team event to encourage high school teams to challenge other high school teams, police to challenge firemen, corporate divisions to challenge one another, and so on. The teams have a lot of fun with it."

Thinking about doing the race? Better start training today! Need to check out the course for yourself to see what you are getting in to? Call (423) 200-9935 to set up a visit. The entry fee is $25 before October 24 and $30 after. This includes T-shirt, muddy feet, perspiration, and an unforgettable time!

Sign-in and registration will run from 8 a.m.-9:45 a.m. with the event starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 31.