Introducing Team Nike ACG/ Gore-Tex

The following introduction was composed by one of our major product sponsors, Backcountry.com, to be published in their company news letter and athlete web pages. The Backcountry goat has been proudly displayed on the top-of-the-line technical gear they have provided to our team since our inception. They are truly our one-stop shopping place for on-line adventure gear!

SHAMELESS PLUG: Please shop backcountry.com, but please visit our team website at www.nextepicadventure.com and then click on the Backcountry link to start shopping so we can send our love along with your order. Thanks!!

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The Team

Since 2005, the Nike ACG / Gore-Tex team has been competing in everything from Primal Quest races in the desert to long-distance snowshoe races in the mountains. These diverse and dedicated athletes combine expert-level knowledge of navigation, mountaineering, canyoneering, and other sports with top-notch fitness to create a team that holds their own on any course. Perhaps the most impressive of all, the Gore-Tex / ACG team always seems to cross the finish line with smiles on their faces while other teams stumble across like the walking dead (if they make it at all).



The Members

Julie Leasure

As the team leader, Julie stokes the flames of motivation when everyone needs to get fired up about a difficult section of a course. Julie has completed more marathons and adventure races than most people can comprehend, so she has plenty of experience to draw from when the clock passes the 24-hour mark and endurance becomes more of a mental game than a physical one.


Kenneth Meyer

As the team’s main navigator, Kenneth has to keep the entire team on course through canyons, over mountains, and across vast stretches of desert. It helps a bit that Kenneth happens to have a photographic memory that would make most scholars jealous. You’d never hear him say “did we already pass that rock?” In addition to being a human compass, Kenneth also possesses an ability to suffer for days on end without a single complaint.


Michael Dawson

While Michael’s official title is the co-navigator, he’s best known as the high-mountain pack mule and all-around Sherpa. Michael has no problem taking an extra helping of gear on steep, grueling terrain in order to make the rest of the team faster and help everyone across the finish a couple hours early. A vast knowledge of mountaineering, canyoneering, and backcountry skiing helps Michael compete in a wide range of conditions and terrains.


Peter Courogen

With over 25 years of adventure racing experience, Peter tends to get labeled as the competitive one—an impressive title considering his teammates. Peter has a strange ability to kick it up a notch when he feels another competitor nipping at his heels, even if he’s been on the go for more hours than he can remember. Peter has spent most of his life competing in running, biking, and multi-sport races.