RED BULL ART OF MOTION BRINGS PARKOUR STATESIDE Tampa and Boston Host Innovative Competition Routed in Martial Arts and Gymnastics

Established as the first free running competition in the world in 2007, Red Bull Art of Motion is coming stateside on the 11th of September in Centro Ybor. The event will captivate the eye with an amazing blend of artistry from the disciplines of free running, parkour, martial arts and gymnastics.

By Lisa Beachy

Established as the first free running competition in the world in 2007, Red Bull Art of Motion is coming stateside in September 2010 with events held in Tampa (11th) and Boston (17th). The event is like no other and will captivate the eye with an amazing blend of artistry from the disciplines of free running, parkour, martial arts and gymnastics.

Two historic locations, Centro Ybor in Tampa, and City Hall Plaza in Boston have been selected as the venues for 20 international athletes who will be judged on their fluidity, creativity, style and execution.

ARTISTRY IN MOTION

Red Bull Art of Motion blends the disciplines of parkour and free running which each have their own distinctive style. Parkour is the physical discipline of training to overcome obstacles within one's path by adapting movements to their surroundings. Two primary characteristics of parkour are efficiency and speed. Free running is a form of urban acrobatics where individuals utilize the city landscape to perform movements throughout the natural features and terrain.

When asked when he started doing parkour, Ryan Doyle, Red Bull Art of Motion judge commented, “When did I start doing parkour…when did you stop?” He went on to say, “As kids we all climbed trees and jumped down staircases, I just kept evolving and didn’t let social constraints limit me.”

In the first round of the event each competitor will take the course for 90 seconds with the top eight advancing to the finals round where they will have another 90 seconds to showcase their skills. To place on the podium the athletes will have to impress the judges with their utilization of the natural terrain, innovation and overall technique.

PARKOUR DE JOUR

Both Tampa and Boston will be hosting Red Bull Art of Motion with their own spin on the integration of natural terrain ranging from staircases to the sides of buildings. The historic district of Centro Ybor in Tampa will host the parkour event on Saturday the 11th of September at 3:00pm. The event is open to the public and free to spectators. Following the debut in Tampa, Boston’s City Hall Plaza will lay the foundation for the international group of free runners on Friday, September 17th.

For more information log onto www.redbullusa.com/artofmotiontampa. For media related questions in Tampa, please call Lisa Beachy at (404) 434-5636/lisa.beachy@us.redbull.com. Footage from past Red Bull Art of Motion events in Europe can be downloaded at www.redbullcontentpool.com.

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