NEWRY — A new obstacle-course race, much of it uphill or on the slopes of the Sunday River ski resort, will feature barb wire, snow-making guns blowing water and ropes over a pond.

The Tough Mountain Challenge, announced by the resort Wednesday will be 5 kilometer (about 3 miles) and aims to test both physical and mental endurance, a release issued by the resort stated.

The race is set for at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28.

The race course features natural and man-made obstacles found only at the resort.

“It’s unlike any race in the state,” Dana Bullen, general manager for Sunday River said in a prepared statement. “Tough Mountain Challenge will become the benchmark to which all serious and aspiring athletes test their fitness.”

The course takes racers from the bottom of the resort’s South Ridge base area up to the bottom of Spruce Peak then down through the Barker base area before returning through the “Gates of Hell” to South Ridge, according to the release.

“While the distance is relatively short, the combination of obstacles is both lengthy and challenging,” it states.

Obstacles on the course utilize such winter equipment including active snow-making guns, ski and snowboard race netting, terrain park features and racing gates.

Registration for the race is $29 and includes the entry fee and lunch. The race is open to all athletes over the age of 18 and registration forms are available to download online at: www.sundayriver.com

Race-day sign-ups will also be available but the race will be capped at 200 athletes.

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