On July 13, 1999, a first-time adventure race left Lake Tahoe and within hours became the most infamous endurance event of the year. CNN and the Associated Press filed national features and the San Francisco Chronicle shrieked across a full-color photo on its front page, "Sierra Race Runs Into Trouble."

The trouble that touched a nation? A bunch of racers got lost.

Seems like a pretty standard scene, albeit one abetted by the fact that the race was "marked" and few racers were carrying maps or compasses. Histrionics aside, the Race Across California had established itself as a phenomenon, and it's back for a second time.

The Race Across California (RACE), begins on June 11, 2001, for a four-day adventure traverse of the Golden State that starts on a dock over the blue water of Lake Tahoe and ends on the Golden Gate Bridge. In distance, difficulty and format, it's only analog is the Mild Seven Outdoor Quest. Significantly, however, this stage race is open to first-come, first-served entrants up to a maximum of 200 competitors. Also significantly, you don't have to fly to China to compete.

The course and itinerary are spectacular, as you will race on the Rubicon Trail near the Sierra Nevada's Desolation Wilderness, into the Gold Country foothills, through the Central Valley, and around the wine country to finish at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge in the beautiful hills of Marin County. The total distance is roughly 323 miles. Unless you get lost.

Day One begins at Chambers Landing on Lake Tahoe and features an 18-mile trail trek, followed by a 40-mile mountain bike to Georgetown and finishing with a 35-mile road bike to Folsom.

Day Two leaves Folsom on the American River, as competitors kayak 23 miles to Discovery Park and the confluence of the Sacramento River. After a 15-mile non-competitive road bike prologue to the town of Davis, teams endure a hilly, 63-mile road time trial ending in the Napa Valley town of Calistoga.

Day Three begins with a 41-mile road bike to Forestville and the Russian River, where canoes await for a 15-mile paddle. The day's last stage starts at the canoe put–out, where competitors regain their road bikes and cycle a final 40 miles to the Marin County town of Olema at the Pt. Reyes National Seashore.

Day Four features an 18-mile mountain bike on the legendary Bolinas Ridge Trail to the top of Mount Tamalpais, the birthplace of mountain biking, followed by a stunningly scenic 19-mile run through Marin to the north tower of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The RACE allows generous team configurations, including two, three and four-person teams, both coed and single-gender. The race director is also considering allowing solo competitors, if the demand is sufficient.

The competition is expected to shape up as a duel between triathletes and adventure racers. Race Organizer Dave Horning, of Envirosports, is a former professional triathlete, the stage format of multiple road bike sections and lack of extensive navigation reflects his predilections. But the paddling, trail running and teamwork aspects favor adventure racers, who should challenge last year's top finishers and well-regarded triathletes such as Tory Valentine, Michelle Deasy, Duane Franks, Jack Clayton and Tim Sheeper.

For more information and registration go to www.envirosports.com, or contact Gordon Wright at Echo Communications: 415.397.5289, echosf@aol.com. The race is expected to sell out, so please consider sending your refundable deposits in early before all the slots are taken by triathletes.