Adventure racing...

Can be the sport where just finishing the race is often considered a victory!

What is adventure racing?

Adventure racing is a multi-sport event that might include a variety of biking, kayaking, running, hiking and navigation. Each race will be comprised of different combinations and can range from two hours in length to a multi-day event that can cover anywhere from 10 kilometers to 200 or more miles in length. You can enter as a solo racer, a team of 2-5 or as a relay, like the Summit-to-Shore race that is coming up in April. Some have a marked course and others are unmarked, meaning you have to find your own way from checkpoint to checkpoint. The goal of the race is to get ALL members of your team across the finish line before the cut-off time and therefore, teamwork rather than individual achievement is very important in this sport. As a matter of fact, we have seen races where the team stays together for 99kms of a 100km course and then gets disqualified in the remaining kilometer because of separation.

Why should you try it?

You will experience fun and excitement with a group of friends / teammates, be challenged by the variety in disciplines throughout the race, get to be a part of the great scenery that you will have the chance to see, and lastly, experience the journey of training towards a destination, arriving to the starting line and then tackling the finish line – Nothing beats it!

One of the most important things you need to do before starting is finding teammates:

You will be spending a lot of time with these people both training and during the race so it is imperative you do your due diligence. Firstly, you have to make sure you are open about your expectations as it could and can be very disappointing if you’re in the race to win it and your teammates are there to just finish. Secondly, making sure everyone gets along is also very important because it is more than just the event but the long training hours together that you will be spending them with. It is important to remember that at some point during the race you will need help from your teammates and they will need help from you. That said, if you’re too stubborn to accept the help, you will slow down your team and everyone will be frustrated so make sure you talk about your goals to make sure you’re all on the same page.

Enjoy the team commrodery and have fun with them. You worked hard to get to the race, wasting your time on a silly fight is not worth it. A team of average athletes that have fun, understand and help each other will finish in front of the strongest athletes that are not ready to work together.

How do you get started?

• Go volunteer at an event is one of the easiest ways to get involved. See how it works and talk to the racers. They’re usually very friendly people and will be happy to help you give you tips. You get to give something back and learn at the same time.
  
  
• Find someone that has done one and go train with them a few times.
  
  
• Watch dvd’s from races like the Eco Challenge, that’s always extreme but it will give you an idea on how it’s done

Fun times!

I have been doing adventure racing for over 6 years now and I can definitely say it has changed my life. It taught me to be not only physically stronger but mentally stronger as well. When you’re biking for three hours and realize you missed a turn and have to go back, you can’t quit, you have to keep telling yourself you’ll get back on track. It would be an easy way out to just quit and that is why this sport can really show you what you’re mad of. I have also had so much fun over the years training with my teammates. We take the time to enjoy what we do and each others company. I have seen some of the most beautiful places in Canada and around the world because of this sport and I would recommend it to anyone. Don’t think adventure racing is just for crazy people. It is for everyone who’s willing to go outside of there comfort zone and try something new. Come join us for the next one.

Dirty Duo March 1^st

Summit to Shore April 13^th

Suburban  rush April 26^th 

Canuck Place Adventure Race September 6th