Try Adventure Racing

Adventure racing is one of the Worlds fastest growing sports. Over The last 4 years in Australia we have witnessed an amazing growth in events.

Starting with only three races a year 4 years ago we now have a full national calendar with races almost every weekend right across Australia.

For ease of explanation I have separated the events that make up ‘Adventure Racing’ into some categories.

Solo

Most races in the solo category have no navigation and are on a marked course.

Disciplines - are a combination of but not limited to Road bike, Mountain Bike, Off road running, Kayak/surf ski paddling, swimming.

Length - 2hrs to 12 hours, some events are stage type events over multiple days

To be considered a Solo Adventure Race there needs to the basic three disciplines of Paddling, riding and running and for the course to be off road. (an exception is some solo events have road bike) Some solo events like The Anaconda Adventure Race series offer a relay format where athletes can take on one leg of the race.

Links to some Solo races

Team Adventure racing

Team adventure races will be a combination of either 2,3 or 4 team members.

Traditionally the ‘Premier’ teams category has been the ‘Mixed’ Team – a team with at least one member of the opposite sex. The Mixed category is the most competitive section with mixed gender team’s invariably winning events outright against all male teams. This is normally due to the best male athletes teaming up with a super strong female due to the mixed category being the most recognized.

Team events are not a relay all members of the team must complete all sections of the course never being separated by more than 100m from last to first team member.

Disciplines - are a combination of but not limited to Mountain Bike, Off road running, Kayak/surf ski paddling, swimming, problem solving, Navigation/orienteering

Navigation - Key to a successful Adventure racing team with courses being navigated with Map and compass finding check points and punching a control card as you would in an orienteering race.

Team short - Races from 2 to 12 hours

www.gar.com.au - ARQ series, Teva series
www.maximumadventure.com.au - Max races, Kodak Urban

Team Middle - Races from 12 hours to 48 hrs

www.gar.com.au - Hells Bells 24, GeoQuest 48
www.maximumadventure.com.au - Max 24

Team Expedition - Races from 5 to 10 days

www.keenadventurerace.com - Keen Adventure Race
www.gar.com.au - XPD