Many of us have been competing in running and biking events for years and found that no matter how much training we do that it is very hard to win a solo event. Adventure Racing is about using your brain, teamwork and strategy, not just being the strongest or fastest athlete. At events we have seen the most physically fit teams take off in the wrong direction. Adventure racing has leveled the playing field for athletes that can prepare, plan, navigate, communicate and work hard to win the race without being superstars.
Adventure racing (AR) is an outdoor endurance sport requiring teams of varying size (usually 3 or 4) to travel through a series of checkpoints by varying means of transportation. Most AR events include the following three core disciplines: Mountain biking, Running/hiking and Padding via canoe or kayak.
Many races include other sports, including but not limited to navigation using map & compass, caving, inline skating, river swimming, mountain climbing & rappelling via ropes, whitewater rafting, skiing, archery, sailing and "special" obstacle-based tests. Race durations vary anywhere between 6-hour "sprints" to 10 day "expeditions." To be considered in the competitive class of most races, teams must be mixed-gender and all team members must travel together from start to finish.
A typical event does not disclose the actual race course until just before the start of competition. Many times, teams are merely given topographical maps and a list of numerical coordinates that correspond to each of the checkpoints on the course. Teams must accurately plot these coordinates and on their own determine the best route to take to each point. This often entails both on and off trail travel, so efficient route selection and strategy play an important part of every team's race. A bad navigation decision usually leads to a team getting lost and may cost them time, effort, and energy.
In addition to physical prowess, teamwork and interpersonal dynamics are major factors in determining how well a team performs. Team ingenuity and adaptation to the elements is key rule and not the exception. Teams are usually permitted to come up with innovative ways to speed their progress. For instance, using bungee to tow teammates is a common occurrence on hiking and biking segments. In the past, some teams have resorted to using umbrellas as makeshift sails on flat-water paddling legs.
FLORIDA'S PREMIERE ADVENTURE RACING CLUB
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What is Adventure Racing?
