Red Bull Art of Motion Storms Detroit's Russell Industrial Center

DETROIT, Aug. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tonight, 20 top free-runners from around the world descended upon the Russell Industrial Center for an athletic showdown that shook the historical warehouse lot to its foundation. The event marked the first round in Red Bull Art of Motion, a two-day, global free-running competition laying its tracks on some of Detroit's most iconic locations this weekend. The action-packed evening of flips, rolls, twists left one contender, Sweden's Marcus Gustafsson, in front of the rest heading into the final competition at Hart Plaza tomorrow.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110826/LA58717)

"I knew going into today that I had to give it everything I had," said Gustaffson. "I had to take it beyond just doing tricks, and push it to the next level finding better lines, faster runs and more intensity."

The road to first round domination was an exhilarating one for Gustaffson, whose captivating blend of urban acrobatics and obstacle navigation was put to the test against first round, second and third place holders Tim Shieff and Luci Romberg. With one minute to tackle the industrial playing field, each competitor dropped onto the course from a concrete ledge, leaping passionately between dirt-buried tires, timber, rusted metal beams, an all-new 2012 MINI Coupe, and a vintage zamboni true to city's character.

"Red Bull Art of Motion is all about athletes adapting their minds and bodies to different physical environments," said Red Bull athlete and judge Ryan Doyle. "With a course so unique to its location, the athletes who stand out are the ones who really embrace it and take their movements beyond the competition to something more artistic.

Doyle is among a panel of four legendary parkour athletes judging Red Bull Art of Motion Detroit, assessing competitors in categories including creativity, execution, flow and difficulty. Other judges include Filip Ljungberg, Ben Jenkin and Patrick Morawetz. With each day of the competition accounting for 50 percent of individuals' total scores, competitors promise to charge into the Saturday competition with full-force.

Course runs at  Hart Plaza will make up the remaining 50% of each individual's total score. Over the first round of competition, each of the 20 contestants from day one will pound their creative craft into the pavement of the storied plaza. The top eight will compete in a second round that will  leave one competitor with the title of Red Bull Art of Motion Detroit Champion. Other honors awarded will include 1st, 2nd and 3rd places, as well as MINI's "Sickest Trick Award" and  "Best Female" recognition. Doors will open at 4 PM, and the final event will begin at 5 PM. The final event will be free and open to spectators.

"Hart Plaza is going to be intense tomorrow," said Doyle. "The crowd will be huge, the pressure will be heavy and all of these athletes will have to bring even more energy to the course."

ABOUT RED BULL ART OF MOTION

Red Bull Art of Motion was established as the world's first free-running competition in 2007, challenging world-class athletes to execute a unique blend of parkour, the physical discipline of overcoming obstacles by adapting movements to surroundings, with free-running, a form of urban aerobics that acrobatics that challenges individuals to perform movements based on city landscape. Events take place all over the world, with each competition including its own unique spin on the integration of natural terrain ranging from staircases to the sides of buildings. Other 2011 competition cities include Japan, England, Brazil and Greece and Kuwait.

MORE INFORMATION:

General: http://win.gs/p9v5nM

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Social Media: @redbull #RBAoM

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SOURCE Red Bull Art of Motion