What is Adventure Racing?

People across the country are constantly looking for new forms of exercise and ways to challenge themselves. For many, just one or two forms of exercise doesn't give them enough, and they're seeking something that will really push them to a higher level.

What's more, many sports and exercises don't rely heavily on teamwork and friendship. Though many of them require you to be competitive and provide the opportunity for social interaction, this often isn't an essential part of the activity. For adventure racing, it is essential, and is the foundation of the most successful teams and competitors.

Adventure racing changes everything. It's constantly evolving and exploding across the country as a popular way to get out and challenge yourself, while relying heavily on a social and team-based foundation.

Adventure racing is...
Variety: Adventure races often feature a number of different "disciplines," or rather types of sports all rolled into one event. Most adventure races are comprised of at least three different disciplines, and can even have five or more. And just to make it interesting, they often throw in a "mystery" event to keep the participants guessing and on their toes.

Exactly what does each race feature? ...Well the sky's the limit (sometimes literally!) Most adventure races include many of the following...

• Mountain Biking
• Kayaking and/or canoeing
• Trail Running
• Orienteering/Navigating (finding your way in the woods with a map and compass)
• Rock Climbing
• Snorkelteering (finding hidden checkpoints under the water)
• Road Biking
• Road Running
• Hiking
• ...and more!

Types of Adventure Races There are three main types of adventure races. "Sprint" races usually last between 2 and 6 hours. Some sprint races are beginner-friendly and do not involve knowing how to navigate or use a map and compass. The format is typically running, biking, and paddling (in any order). "One-day" races usually last between 10 and 24 hours and usually involve running, biking, paddling, navigation, and many other disciplines. "Expedition" races are longer than 24 hours and involve running, biking, paddling, navigation, sleep deprivation, and other disciplines.

Challenge: Adventure racing pushes you to your physical and mental limits, and really tests your relationships in team races. In order to win, you must be in the best physical shape and know you and your team member's strengths and weaknesses. You must know when you can really "push it," and when you can let off a little to get ready for the next challenge in the race. It's all about finding out what your body and mind are capable of, and how to apply it to the race to get your best finish.

Endurance: Adventure races are not for the weak of heart. Many adventure races can last 12 hours or more--sometimes even days. What's more, there's not much in the way of breaks or resting. You must keep at it to stay in the race and make the checkpoints and finish line in the required times. You finish one challenge, and it's on to the next. How quickly you and your team members can make the transition and knowing which challenges you excel at can determine how you place at the end.

Going the Distance: Not only can a race last hours or even days, but it can cover a great deal of distance as well. It's not unheard of to have adventure races span a couple of hundred square miles or more. Sometimes you're only given coordinates for checkpoints and you must use a compass and maps to find your way. Then you must hike, bike, run, paddle, skate, or whatever is required to get there.

Teamwork and Friendship: Beneficial to adventure racing, teamwork and friendships are a important parts of this growing sport. For team races, it is essential. The rules of team adventure racing require every team member to make it to each checkpoint and the finish line. If even one team member doesn't reach a checkpoint, you have to wait until they show up before your team's time is logged and you can proceed to the next challenge. If one member drops out, the race is over for the team. Therefore, you must work and stay together to finish the race. Without a doubt, this is the most important part of team-based adventure racing.

Come out and try adventure racing, San Antonio style!