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Adventure racing is classically a co-ed team sport. Nonetheless, many races now permit "teams" of 1 to 5 persons, single-sex or co-ed, and sometimes include age-based categories. HISTORY The roots of adventure racing are deep and people debate the origin of the modern adventure race. Some point to the two-day Karrimor International Mountain Marathon , first held in 1968 as the birth of modern adventure racing. The Karrimor Marathon required two-person teams to traverse mountainous terrain while carrying all the supplies required to support themselves through the double-length marathon run. In 1980, the Alpine Ironman was held in New Zealand. Individual competitors ran, paddled and skied to a distant finish line. Later that year, the Alpine Ironman's creator, Robin Judkins launched the better-known Coast to Coast race, which also involved all the elements of modern adventure racing: trail running, mountain biking and paddling. Independently, a North American race, the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic debuted in 1982 and involved six days of unsupported wilderness racing (carry all food and equipment, no roads, no support) over a 150 mile course. It continues today, changing courses every 3 years. In 1989, the modern era of adventure racing had clearly arrived with Gerald Fusil 's launch of the Raid Gauloises in New Zealand . Inspired by the Paris-Dakar Rally , Fusil envisioned an expanded expedition-style race in which competitors would rely on their own strength and abilities to traverse great and challenging terrain. The race included all the modern elements of adventure racing, including mixed-gender teams competing in a multi-day 400+ mile race. Building on Fusil's concept, the inaugural Southern Traverse was held in 1991. In the early-90's, Mark Burnett read an L.A. Times article about The Raid and was inspired to not only bring the race to America, but to promote the race as a major televised sporting event. After purchasing the rights from Gerald Fusil , Burnett launched the first " Eco-Challenge " race in 1995. Burnett promoted his event with Emmy -award winning films (tapping the talent of Mike Sears to produce the films for the first two events). The Eco-Challenge was last held in 2002. With the Eco-Challenge also came the name "adventure race", a phrase coined by journalist and author Martin Dugard, to describe the class of races embodied by the Raid and Eco-Challenge. In 2002, the first major expedition length race to be held exclusively in the United States was launched. Primal Quest has become the premier U.S. expedition race, being held each year since its launch. In 2004, the death of veteran racer Nigel Aylott over-shadowed the race, and raised debates about the nature of Primal Quest and adventure racing. RACE TYPES Lengths
Disciplines The vast majority of adventure races include trail running, mountain biking and (ideally) a paddling event. Navigation and rope work are also featured in all but the shortest races, but this is only the beginning. Part of the appeal of adventure racing is expecting the unexpected. Race directors pride themselves at challenging racers with unexpected or unusual tasks. Past races have also featured:
OVERVIEW Rules The rules of adventure racing vary by race. However, virtually all races include the three cardinal rules of racing:
In addition, each race will have their own special rules. For example, Primal Quest includes penalties for un-sportsmanlike conduct, public protest or "displays of disgust" with race rules; failing to travel as a team; traveling within a Wilderness Boundary, destruction of property; damage to race equipment; testing positive for banned substance; missing race bib; administration of IV fluids other than by race medical staff. Longer races may also involve skill tests. For example, Primal Quest 2004 required that each team member swim 50 meters in 3 minutes; tread water for 5 minutes in 50 degree water; perform a Double T Rescue in less than 5 minutes; pass a single boat rescue; and ascend a vertical 8-10 meter cliff with 3 knot transfers in 10 minutes. Organizational meeting Typically races will feature an organizational meeting either the night before or the morning of the race. At this meeting the course will be revealed for the first time. For sprints, racers may follow a marked course. For longer races, racers may be given maps marked to show checkpoints ("CPs") or racers may be simply given coordinates (usually UTM coordinates) that indicate where the CPs will be found. Special rules, last minute changes and other information may also be provided at the meeting. Checkpoints Racers are required to locate a series of checkpoints or passport controls, usually in a defined order. At each CP, racers are required to have their passports stamped, either by a volunteer or by using a specialized punch left at the CP. The primary function of the checkpoints is to ensure that racers are completing the indicated course. Checkpoints also serve several important safety functions. CPs may be manned by medical personnel who can determine whether racers are fit to continue their race. Moreover, if teams become lost during the race, having numerous strategically placed CPs allow search parties to substantially reduce the search area. Transition areas Most races include one or more transition areas that teams can visit to replenish supplies. Shorter races often feature a single transition area that teams may visit numerous times during the event. Teams will leave food, water, paddling and biking gear, fresh clothing and any other items they may need during the course of the race. Longer races feature multiple transition areas. Team gear is transported either by a support crew (provided by the team) or by the racing staff. Gear check Virtually all adventure races feature mandatory gear that must be carried during part or all of the race. Races will often include mandatory gear checks by race personnel and harsh penalties or disqualification may result if a team lacks requisite equipment. Short course Adventure races attract individuals of greatly divergent abilities. To make the sport more inclusive, many race directors will "short course" racers; allow racers who miss mandatory time cut-offs to continue racing on a reduced-length course. These racers will often earn an official finish time but be "unranked" and not eligible for prizes. Some races provide the option for teams to skip certain CPs but incur a time penalty (which often must be "served" during the race). WHY WE RACE ''Pain is Weakness Leaving the Body'' -- G. Fusil ''Adventure Racing Does Not Build Character...It Reveals It'' -- Yukon Davies - Team Hellbound Teamwork Most adventure races are team events, with expedition length races typically requiring a set number of teammates (usually four or five) and requiring the teams to be co-ed. Many racers find the team aspect of adventure racing to be among the most enticing and demanding aspects. Teams typically elect a team captain and designate a team navigator. Teams have different views as to the functions of each of these positions, with some teams having very little structure, while others assigned specifics rights and responsibilities to each of these persons. For example, a team that stresses a democratic philosophy may limit the captain’s role to be the keeper of the racing passport and rules, and limit the navigator’s role to carrying the map and having primarily responsible for determining the team’s position at any given time. A more regimented team may give the captain ultimate responsibility for making all decisions regarding rest schedules, rule interpretations and the like, while the navigator has full responsibility for not only tracking the team’s location, but determining route choice as well. Although teams have been successful with differing organizational philosophies, few teams are able to complete expedition length races with poor team dynamics. Determining roles, goals and team philosophy before the start of the race is critical. Self-discovery Adventure racing has been said to allow an individual to find his or her limits and push through them. Racing often takes participants out of their comfort zone by challenging competitors with unfamiliar surroundings, often while sleep deprived and physically exhausted. I used to... Numerous adventure racers were former triathletes and marathon (and ultra-marathon) competitors looking to add more spice to their chosen fields. Some found themselves suffering recurring injuries, and enjoy the cross-training adventure racing demands. Aging athletes discovered that while they can no longer keep up with 20-somethings in a foot race, in a 24+ hour races, they have some competitive advantages. PREPARING FOR AN ADVENTURE RACE ''“You train for adventure racing by doing adventure races”'' -– Bob, Team Firebolt Because adventure racing is a multi-discipline event, training for adventure racing combines pure strength and endurance training with skills training. The three disciplines that should be practiced are 1) trekking or running 2) cycling 3) and paddling. It is worth noting though, that to simply compete and have an enjoyable race, you do not need to be an expert in all these events. Often times a basic working knowledge will suffice. Navigation is another aspect to consider, so basic map and compass knowledge is often prerequisite for at least one teammate. To become a competitive adventure racer, one must be an accomplished runner, mountain biker, paddler and navigator. Moreover, adventure race training goes beyond physical preparation; navigation skills, rope knowledge and basic wilderness medicine skills are also vital when competing in the longer events. Proper nutrition, foot care, and mental preparation are essential during these longer races. EQUIPMENT ''I used to go to R.E.I. to stock up, now R.E.I. comes to my house to stock up'' -- adventure racer Most specialty outdoor gear retailers will offer a broad selection of equipment necessary for any length of adventure race. As the sport has grown, a few adventure race specialty retailers have emerged online to serve this niche. Basic equipment (Sprint races)
Note, typically paddling gear will be provided by race directors for sprint level races, although on occasion racers will be required to provide their own Pfd . Equipment for an endurance-length event
Gear List from the BigBlue Adventure Race Series Equipment for multi-day events.
WELL KNOWN EXPEDITION-LENGTH EVENTS
WELL KNOWN ENDURANCE & SPRINT-LENGTH EVENTS SAFETY ''Between the weather and the terrain and the situations you'll be in, no bones about it, you can die out there.'' - D. Barger, Race Director, Primal Quest, September 18, 2004. The danger of participating in an adventure race depend on the race and the racers participating. Although several deaths have been reported in multi-sport events, three recent deaths have intensified the debate over the safety of the sport. In June 2003, Dominique Robert was killed when she was pinned underwater during a canoe section of the Raid Gauloises . On September 21, 2004, Nigel Aylott was killed by a falling boulder during an orienteering section of Primal Quest. Eduardo Delgado Rosas died on February 24, 2005 while completing a 1 km swimming leg of the Extreme Adventure Hidalgo. The death of these athletes has fueled a debate regarding the safety of adventure racing, with some participants calling for international regulation of the sport. In the shadow of the death of Nigel Aylott enhanced scrutiny and heated debate has surrounded the relative responsibilities for ensuring the safety of racers. Nigel was killed during an orienteering section of the Primal Quest race. Nigel and his team elected to descend a talus runout when alternative routes would have involved substantial delay. Some, including Nigel’s teammates, have argued that the race course was irresponsibly designed, putting racers at unnecessary peril. Other have suggested that the dangers Nigel and his team encountered were obvious and part of the sport of adventure racing. Although this debate may never be resolved, it is critical for each racer to understand his or her abilities and limits. Adventure racing by its nature will always involve risk. In some more exotic locales, danger of contact with unusual pathogens should be taken into account. In 2000 Malaysian Borneo "Eco-Challenge" dozens of participants were hospitalized with Leptospirosis ; none died. Renal Shutdown and Heat Stroke are another common health and safety concerns in endurance events. The Canadian Adventure Racing Association (registered amateur athletic Association) has been designing comprehensive safety guidelines for use in Canada. These will be ready in early summer, 2005. The safety guidelines have revised several times by industry experts and government agencies, and will serve as the benchmark for safety across Canada. REFERENCES Books and Videos about Adventure Races ''Runner's World Guide to Adventure Racing: How to Become a Successful Racer and Adventure Athlete (Runners World)'' by Ian Adamson. ISBN 1579548369 ''Adventure Racing: The Ultimate Guide'' by Liz Caldwell and Barry Siff. ISBN 1884737900 ''The Complete Guide to Adventure Racing: An Insider’s Guide to the Greatest Sport on Earth'' by Don Mann and Kara Schaad. ISBN 1578260647 ''Surviving the Toughest Race on Earth'' by Martin Dugard. ISBN 0071358218 ''The Eco-Challenge video series.'' Australia (ISBN 1575237091), Morocco, British Columbia and Borneo can still be found on VHS without much difficulty. Videos exist for the other races, but are long out of print. Books about Navigation and Orienteering ''Be Expert with Map and Compass'' by Bjön Kjellström. ISBN 0684142708 ''U.S. Army Map Reading and Land Navigation Handbook'' by the U.S. Department of Defense. ISBN 1592283829 ''Orienteering'' by Steve Boga. ISBN 0811728706 Books about Mountain Biking ''Zinn & the Art of Mountain Bike Repair'' by Lennard Zinn. ISBN 188473799 ''Mountain Bike Like a Champion'' by Ned Overend. ISBN 1579540813 Books about Kayaking ''The Complete Guide to Sea Kayak Touring'' by Jonathan Hanson. ISBN 0070262047 ''Sea Kayaker's Savvy Paddler: More than 500 Tips for Better Kayaking'' by Doug Alderson. ISBN 0071362037 EXTERNAL LINKS General Information
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