What is Adventure Racing?

Adventure Racing, also known as AR, or Expedition Racing, is a team event with a combination of two or more endurance disciplines spread over a specific number of days. The race is usually a mixed gender event where the goal is to be the first group to cross the finish line. Most races take place in the remote wilderness where each team is provided a map and a compass. However, teams need to make their own navigational decisions to advance from one checkpoint to the next. Race officials oversee the event, although the teams are left to progress on their own. The race presents many challenges to participants as they need to make instant decisions under pressure, especially when it comes to choosing the best route.

Teams are not provided with any information ahead of the race except for the general location. Ultimately, a team’s success lies in endurance, strategy, technique, confidence and team work. Adventure racing is an extremely physically and mentally challenging sport that requires plenty of preparation. Successful adventure racers are those with the ability to contend with the rigors of non-stop racing. This includes unpredictable weather, blisters, injuries and general fatigue due to sleep deprivation. However, the sheer thrill of finishing the race, outweighs the difficult journey to the finishing line.

Adventure racing is truly an adventure sport with a number of endurance disciplines that cover rough terrain, mountains, water and often, the air as well. Most races include running, a paddling event, rope skills such as rappelling, mountain biking and trekking. It is up to the race directors to challenge racers with unique disciplines including river crossings, white water paddling, horseback riding, obstacle courses and mystery challenges.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking forms an integral part of most adventure race disciplines. Biking routes may be on paved road, swamp, and loose gravel, depending on the course. Bikers need to have excellent navigational skills and the knowledge to deal with mechanical problems.

Trekking

Trekking is the one of the most demanding disciplines that tests the navigational and decision making skills of the racers. The discipline requires plenty of team work where every member needs to concentrate on maintaining pace and charting the fastest route through the course.

Rope skills

Traversing, abseiling and rappelling are often included in the race where participants are provided a cut off time to finish the discipline, so no team can put another at a disadvantage by slowing down the race.

Paddling

Kayaking and canoeing are the main paddling events usually held on flat lakes and rivers for shorter adventure races. However, endurance races may include white water kayaking, rafting, or tubing. Navigational skills are put to the test once again where teams need to refer to their map and understand the land features while on the water.

Adventure races vary in the number of hours or days, combination of endurance disciplines, and format. They are held in various competitive formats and disciplines combined. Orienteering style races are adapted in some of these race formats in order to test the navigational skills of competitors.

Sprint races:- These races are held for a maximum of 8 hours where the agility of racers is put to the test. Sprint races require less navigation and the teams are usually smaller. Sprint races expose participants to the concept of team work and are the stepping stone for entry into the bigger competitions. A sprint race may include a mountain bike ride, trail run, 3km kayak, wall climbing, and more.

12/24 hour race:- These events feature limited navigation and orienteering with a specific time limit for the finish. Participants are required to employ a support crew for the transportation of gear. In some races the organizers supply gear bins at the designated checkpoints. 24 hour races include rope work such as traverses or rappelling, 30 km treks, mountain biking and 25 km kayak leg. These longer races take a toll on the teams’ mind and body.

Multi-Day races (36 – 48 hours):- Competitors are allowed to choose their own route to the checkpoints. These races usually require advanced navigation skills. There may be several endurance disciplines including trekking, biking, paddling, rafting, tubing, abseiling and more, with mandatory stops at checkpoints along the route. Since these races are spread over two days sleep deprivation poses a major challenge to the participants.

Expedition races:- Apart from the challenges of multi-day races, expedition races involve additional disciplines like advanced mountaineering, horse-back riding, rope work and more. The race is spread between approximately 3 to 11 days, pushing competitors to the edge of their physical and mental limits. Teams are usually required to complete disciplines such as river rafting, kayaking, rope work, mountain biking, mountaineering and extensive navigation, over a 450 to 500 km course. Definitely not a race for the faint hearted!

Adventure Rogaine:- This is an orienteering style format with a specific time limit for finishing the race. In these races, teams are usually awarded points for finishing within the given time limit. All teams must complete the mandatory checkpoints and touch as many bonus checkpoints as possible. This type of race involves extensive route planning and navigation between checkpoints with the help of maps. Team work and endurance are put to the test during adventure rogaines.

Short course vs Full course:- A short course format is used to encourage teams to complete the race when cut-off times are enforced at checkpoints. One or more sections are omitted to enable teams to finish a shorter version. However, they would be not be eligible for prizes. Some races allow teams to skip checkpoints, which attracts a time penalty that must be served during the race. In a long course format, teams are required to complete all the disciplines and cross the mandatory checkpoints in order to officially finish the race.

The rules for adventure racing depend on the disciplines and type of format. However, there are few common rules that apply to most races irrespective of its format.

• Teams are required to carry their mandatory gear to the respective checkpoints.
• Except for a map and compass no other navigational equipment like a GPS is allowed.
• Outside assistance is not permitted although competing teams are allowed to assist each other, if required.
• Motorized travel is not allowed.
• Changing team members during a race is not permitted.
• Team members are required to be in sight of each other during the race.
• Race numbers must be recorded by a race official at transition areas and checkpoints.
• Routes are identified on maps or instruction sheets provided by the race officials. Participants are not permitted to carry any other maps.
• Other than a watch and altimeter no other electronic devices are allowed unless specified by the race organizers.
• Mandatory gear checks are conducted by race personnel prior to the race. Failure to possess requisite equipment may result in penalties or disqualification. Some organizers also conduct on-course gear checks during a race.

Some adventure races may feature penalties for breaking any race rules, misconduct, failure to work as a team, damage to race equipment, and more. Team members are usually tested before and after the race for the use of any banned performance enhancing drugs. In some races, teams are required to enter and leave transition areas and finish the race together as a team. There may be a restriction on the maximum permissible distance between two team members during a race. Violation of the rules can result in disqualification.

Transition areas:- are the locations where teams touch to replenish supplies such as food, water and clothing or change their gear depending on the next discipline. Endurance races have multiple transition areas. Racing gear is transported by a support crew dedicated to each team or by the racing staff.

Checkpoints or passport controls:- It is mandatory for racers to pass through manned or unmanned checkpoints. Unmanned checkpoints include a recording mechanism for proof that a participant has visited the control point. The location of checkpoints is kept secret until the day of the competition.

In adventure racing each team member is responsible for the success or failure of the team as a whole. Lack of coordination and team spirit is an instant recipe for failure. Working as a team can be more demanding that the course itself. Teams elect one member as captain and also they also designate a team navigator. During a race, team members are assigned specific responsibilities including rest schedules, rule interpretations, navigational issues and more, to ensure smooth transition from one checkpoint to the next.

Training for adventure races involves a combination of endurance training and skills training. You may not be an expert in every discipline but need to be a great team player, so that the team can put in maximum effort to finish the race. Map and compass knowledge is essential, so you need to sharpen your navigational skills before the race even though one team member may be entrusted with the task of navigation. It is also prudent to be mentally tough in order to counter the effects of sleep deprivation and other dangers of the wilderness. You can read more in the article titled- How to Prepare for an Adventure Race.

Training schedule:- No matter what your current training involves, it is wise to start a program that caters to the specific disciplines in the adventure race in which you desire to participate. Most adventure racers follow a six day exercise regimen, basing their workout on the types of events.

Choosing team members:- With so many competitive formats, it is prudent to choose team members who have similar levels of fitness and those who are experienced in various disciplines involved in the race.

Assign responsibilities:- Your team is required to collect as many points as possible by reaching the checkpoints in time. Therefore, teamwork is essential with the right planning and navigational skills. Make sure every member is entrusted with specific tasks to reach your goal.

Be well equipped:- Racing gear and supplies are essential, so make sure the team travels with the mandatory equipment including plenty of food, water, clothing and more.

Prepare for extreme weather:- The weather can take its toll on participants. Ensure that you have adequate protection and clothing pertinent to the disciplines the team needs to complete during the race. This includes footwear that will withstand the weather conditions and terrain. Dehydration and heatstroke are the most common ailments suffered by participants during endurance races.

Adventure races are gruelling events that can take a toll on participants in different ways. Therefore, it is important to enter into a competition well prepared with every team member aware of their responsibilities. Carry the right gear and ensure the availability of supplies at all times, which includes plenty of water and electrolytes to mitigate any risks.