What is Adventure Racing (AR) - Page 1

What is Adventure Racing?
It is generally a team sport, comprising a mixed team of three or four(mixed means at least one member of the opposite sex), who compete together in several different human-powered events whcih can include mountain biking, some form of paddling (canoeing/kayaking), trail running, hiking, rope work such as ascending and rapelling and navigation.

The skils are combined in sequence to form a non-stop race, often in a remote area.

There are four main categories:

Sprint Races:
These are one day races and a good introduction to the sport.
They can last 4 - 12 hours, and give competitors a chance to use all the required skills.

Intermediate Races:
These are slighlty longer, and generally are held over a weekend.
They can be either non-stop, where the team continues to compete through the night, or can involve an overnight stop, and the teams finish the race the next day.
Normally a cut-off time will be imposed on the first day, and teams arriving after this may risk disqualification.
Expect to cover a distance of 100+ miles (160k).

Stage Races:
These are completed in stages.
Competitors stop and start each day, and have the chance to rest at night.
The race can last for anything from 3 to 5 days and cover a distance of 200+ miles (320k).

Ultra Races:
These are generally over 300- 600 miles (480k-1000k) and are non-stop.
Teams compete day and night, though on occasion a dark zone is imposed if it could be dangerous to continue with that particular part of the course.

Each type of race is a unique adventure.
Although the ultra races like Eco Challenge and Raid Gauloises (the original Adventure Race), are considered the most difficult due to their non-stop nature, there are exceedingly difficult races in all categories.
Mild Seven Outdoor Quest, a stage race held every Autumn in China, is renowned for the toughness of its course and attracts a field of top competitors.

Adventure Racing is becoming an increasingly popular sport, and there is such a variety of races available that every competitor will find a time frame and distance that suits their ability and requirements.