| ADVENTURE RACING 101 |
| Adventure Racing is an outdoor endurance sport where teams race to checkpoints while navigating with map and compass. The three core disciplines of adventure racing are: |
| Races usually fall under one of the following 4 categories: |
| The actual race course is typically revealed no more than a day before at the pre-race meeting. Teams are usually given blank topographic maps, checkpoint coordinates, and the order of race disciplines. Teams are then required to accurately plot checkpoints and strategize about route selection. In order to successfully complete the race, teams must travel to each checkpoint in order, navigating from one checkpoint to the next. |
| Keys to finishing an adventure race is teamwork and navigation. Unlike individual sports, your team must race together no more than 100 yards apart, and finish together. Therefore, you are only as fast as your slowest teammate, and an individual person's not doing well will effect the whole team. Working together and keeping up good morale is a key to finishing any race. Navigation mistakes have frustrated and slowed down even the best teams. Small mistakes, especially at night, can easily add many hours and many miles to the race. Successful competitive teams always have good teamwork and navigation is addition to their speed and endurance. |
| Other disciplines that may be in a race are: |
| * Mountain Biking * Kayaking * Trekking (Running/Hiking) |
| * Ropes (Rapelling/Ascending/ Tyrolean Traverse) * In-Line Skating * Orienteering * Swimming * Special Team Events |
| Sprint race 2-4 hour: These races usually consist of 2-5 miles trekking, 5-10 miles biking, and 1-2 miles kayak, and special team events. These races are usually on marked courses so no navigation is required, so they are a good introduction to adventure racing. |
| 6-12 hour race: These races usually consist of 5-15 miles trekking, 10-20 miles biking, and 5-10 miles kayak. |
| 24 hour race: These races usually consist of 20-30 miles trekking, 40-60 miles biking, and 10-15 miles kayak. |
| Expedition: These races can be anywhere from 3-10 day races, covering 200-500 miles. |
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| ADVENTURE RACING LINKS |
| Big Blue Adventure Series - Sprint, 12, and 24 hour races - N. California |
| Explore California - 24 hour races - California |
| Desert Rage - 6 and 12 hour races - Arizona |
| Primal Quest - Premier expedition race - TBD |
| Baja Extreme - 8 hour races - Baja Mexico |
| The Raid World Championships - Expedition race series - World Wide |
| SCARABS - Adventure Racing Club - S. California |
| Adventure Race Reports - Racer feedback |
| SD Orienteering - Good navigation practice - S. California |
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| E-Camps - Adventure race training camp |