Registration is open for the Mid-Atlantic Region, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department’s 10th annual all-military Wilderness Challenge. The Challenge will take place Oct. 7 to 9 in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains and on the New and Gauley Rivers in West Virginia. The event is hosted and co-organized by ACE Adventure Resort, West Virginia’s largest outdoor outfitter.

More than 300 military service members representing teams from around the World are expected to compete. But, only the first 60 teams to register will gain a slot, so early registration is encouraged.

“The MWR Wilderness Challenge continues to bring together the best athletes in the armed forces and puts them to the test,” said Michael Bond, event coordinator. “The competition gets tougher and tougher every year.”

The challenge is comprised of a series of five outdoor adventure races designed to provide camaraderie, competition and team spirit among the five branches of the Armed Forces. Teams participating in this year’s challenge will compete in an 8k mountain run, a 14-mile mountain bike race, a 14-mile forced hike through the mountains; a 13-mile whitewater raft race on the Gauley River and a 7-mile kayak race on the New River.

“It is not an easy competition and only the strong survive, so the winning team will be the best of the best in outdoor recreation and physical endurance,” Bond said.

Teams must be comprised of four active duty military members, one of which must be female. Registration can be completed online at www.wildernesschallenge.net or by calling 887-7256.

For more information, email Mark Piggott at mark.piggott@navy.mil or call 887-4939.