Adventure Racing

I did my first and only AR earlier this year.  You have to do these races with a partner or a team so be sure you are all on the same page regarding pace and the goal of the race.  I'm pretty competitive (ok, really competitive) and my partner was....well, not.  Definitely practice running and biking together so you know what each other can do and handle.  You have to stay within some proximity during the entire race.

I've done this one twice, still haven't done a "swimming" triathlon. It got me started on this whole fitness lifestyle. This year it was a blinding spring snowstorm the first 2/3 rds of the distance.
http://www.peakstoprairie.org/

Edited by pronghorn 2009-07-30 2:50 PM

Similar to Tris there are many different type of adventure races.  From short to long.  Events often vary depending on location.  Are you looking for a tri but on trails or more of a traditional AR where navigation is a big component of the race.

Most traditional adventure races are not on trails and part of the race is navigating with map and compass. They are also multidiscipline and the location often determines the disciplines involved.  Most common disciplines are navigation/trekking, mountain biking, some type of paddling (white water, river, ocean, lake, etc.), Climbing.  Others include canyoneering, horseback riding, caving, swiftwater swimming etc.  They range from several hours to over a week.

Rogaine type races are usually navigating with map and compass (orienteering) and no other discipline.  Usually from several hours to 24 hours are common.

Then there is the hybrid types which are mostly on trails, some have "special" obstacles or tasks to complete and can be a lot of fun.

I used to do a lot of adventure racing, I preferred the multiday events but the small ones are just fun.

Some websites and races that I'm familiar with but there are so many smaller venues that are local.

USARA - http://www.usara.com/
Oddyssey Adventure Racing - http://www.oarevents.com/index.shtml
Frontier Adventure Sports - http://www.raidthenorth.com/
Primal Quest - http://www.ecoprimalquest.com/wp-primal/
Southern Traverse - http://www.southerntraverse.com/
Raid Gauloises - http://www.raidgauloises.com/
XTERRA - http://www.xterraplanet.com/races/
Genesis - http://www.genesisadventures.com/v4/main.php?left=index&center=index
Orienteering - http://www.us.orienteering.org/

Hope this helps

Bob