Getting started in adventure racing can be challenging. As most racers will attest, perhaps the greatest asset you can bring with you to an adventure race is your experience. The learning curve can be steep and the races difficult, both physically and mentally. However, with some careful planning and preparation, you can get yourself to the finish line of your first race feeling proud of your accomplishment and ready to sign up for your next adventure. The resources below are intended to help you get you started.
You can also check our our 2021 blog series, "New To AR", on the Tales from TA blog.
We also have a 2020 blog series, "15 First Adventure Races", where experienced racers describe their first adventure race.
Additional articles aimed at new racers:
You can also check our our 2021 blog series, "New To AR", on the Tales from TA blog.
- How to Get Started
- Terminology
- Terminology - Glossary
- Skills and Training - Foot and Bike
- Skills and Training - Paddling, Navigation, and More
- Gear
- Time to Race – Final Preparation
We also have a 2020 blog series, "15 First Adventure Races", where experienced racers describe their first adventure race.
Additional articles aimed at new racers:
Format and Disciplines
Adventure racing (AR) is a multisport, primarily off-road, navigation-based sport. The premier events require racers to form mixed-gender teams of three or four, but races around the world vary in their regulations so events allowing single-sex teams or teams of one to four racers are common. There are many sources online that explain AR in detail, but our favorites are the overviews at the US Adventure Racing Cooperative (ARC), a non-profit organization that supports AR, and SleepMonsters, an international media organization that covers the sport. The Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS), an international race sanctioning organization, has also produced an excellent video introduction to AR.
A core feature of AR is the combination of multiple disciplines into one event. Classic AR formats involve trekking, biking, and paddle legs, but other disciplines can include winter sports, team challenges, mountaineering, horseback riding, swim-run, rollerblading, or anything else the race director can dream up. ARC offers a range of resources to help racers prepare for the core disciplines of AR. Most races require participants to switch between disciplines multiple times.
As noted above, AR is a navigation-based sport. This means that teams navigate by compass (GPS is not allowed in most races) using a map that indicates the location of checkpoints. Some races are "point-to-point," meaning that teams must obtain all checkpoints in order to be considered a finishing team. Other races are "rogaine" style, indicating that there are optional checkpoints within a section and checkpoints in that section can be obtained in any order. "Modified rogaine" style events include a combination of point-to-point and rogaine sections. Traditional "point-to-point" style courses tend to be more common in multi-day, expedition length races, though race directors often offer short course modifications for teams unable to complete the whole race. Shorter, local races tend to be "rogaine" or "modified rogaine" style events. Teams able to "clear" (successfully locating all checkpoints) tend to be the most competitive and experienced teams.
No matter the format, all ARs share a very important feature: the time cut-off. Courses are open for a specified amount of time and teams must cross the finish line with the required number of checkpoints in order to finish the race. Adventure races can range in length from a couple hours to multi-day "expedition races," taking up to two weeks.
A core feature of AR is the combination of multiple disciplines into one event. Classic AR formats involve trekking, biking, and paddle legs, but other disciplines can include winter sports, team challenges, mountaineering, horseback riding, swim-run, rollerblading, or anything else the race director can dream up. ARC offers a range of resources to help racers prepare for the core disciplines of AR. Most races require participants to switch between disciplines multiple times.
As noted above, AR is a navigation-based sport. This means that teams navigate by compass (GPS is not allowed in most races) using a map that indicates the location of checkpoints. Some races are "point-to-point," meaning that teams must obtain all checkpoints in order to be considered a finishing team. Other races are "rogaine" style, indicating that there are optional checkpoints within a section and checkpoints in that section can be obtained in any order. "Modified rogaine" style events include a combination of point-to-point and rogaine sections. Traditional "point-to-point" style courses tend to be more common in multi-day, expedition length races, though race directors often offer short course modifications for teams unable to complete the whole race. Shorter, local races tend to be "rogaine" or "modified rogaine" style events. Teams able to "clear" (successfully locating all checkpoints) tend to be the most competitive and experienced teams.
No matter the format, all ARs share a very important feature: the time cut-off. Courses are open for a specified amount of time and teams must cross the finish line with the required number of checkpoints in order to finish the race. Adventure races can range in length from a couple hours to multi-day "expedition races," taking up to two weeks.
Training for your goals
Training for your first adventure race will vary significantly depending on the kind of race you are training for, including the disciplines involved, the length of the race, and your team's goals. Many teams enter the sport with the goal of "finishing as friends," while others also seek to compete at a high level. Accordingly, training can range from increasing your time spent outdoors with fun day-trips, to a near part-time job with a focused training plan.
To get a feel for the kind of training adventure athletes are doing on a daily basis, check out Attackpoint, an online training and race log where many experienced racers post their fitness regimens. This website also hosts an active web forum for AR-focused discussion including selecting gear, talking about races, and supporting training.
Some athletes prefer the structure and care of working with an AR-focused endurance coach. We recommend Jen Segger, Sarah Goldman, and Travis Macy as experienced endurance athletes themselves with years of coaching knowledge. Some race organizations, like Bend Racing, offer AR-focused training camps. Training plans can range from fixed to highly individualized and interactive programs.
Because adventure races require skill in navigating with a map and compass, it is important that at least one, if not more than one, member of each team be proficient in this domain. Joining your local orienteering club is a great way to develop this skill in shorter events. You can also familiarize yourself with map reading by bringing topographical maps with you on hiking, biking, and paddling trips. TanZ Navigation is an excellent resource for AR-focused navigation training, offering Squiggly Lines (a book on AR navigation) and virtual orienteering events.
Training is also an excellent way to find your preferred gear for AR. All adventure races publish a required gear list prior to the race with mandatory equipment to facilitate safe and efficient travel through the course. Be sure to review this list well before the race date to ensure that you and your team can source the required gear before race day.
To get a feel for the kind of training adventure athletes are doing on a daily basis, check out Attackpoint, an online training and race log where many experienced racers post their fitness regimens. This website also hosts an active web forum for AR-focused discussion including selecting gear, talking about races, and supporting training.
Some athletes prefer the structure and care of working with an AR-focused endurance coach. We recommend Jen Segger, Sarah Goldman, and Travis Macy as experienced endurance athletes themselves with years of coaching knowledge. Some race organizations, like Bend Racing, offer AR-focused training camps. Training plans can range from fixed to highly individualized and interactive programs.
Because adventure races require skill in navigating with a map and compass, it is important that at least one, if not more than one, member of each team be proficient in this domain. Joining your local orienteering club is a great way to develop this skill in shorter events. You can also familiarize yourself with map reading by bringing topographical maps with you on hiking, biking, and paddling trips. TanZ Navigation is an excellent resource for AR-focused navigation training, offering Squiggly Lines (a book on AR navigation) and virtual orienteering events.
Training is also an excellent way to find your preferred gear for AR. All adventure races publish a required gear list prior to the race with mandatory equipment to facilitate safe and efficient travel through the course. Be sure to review this list well before the race date to ensure that you and your team can source the required gear before race day.
Gear
Speaking of gear. Gear lists for adventure racing can be daunting, especially when considering signing up for a 24-hour event or an expedition race. If you have never competed in an adventure race and are starting from scratch, it can cost thousands of dollars to outfit yourself in quality gear for a race like Eco-Challenge. Even for a short sprint race, you may need to make some initial investments.
To get started, try out some local races to make sure investing in a new mountain bike is worth it. Chances are, you know someone with the gear you need. Most races provide boating gear, but can you borrow a bike from a friend if you don't have one? How about a headlamp?
Even for a short sprint race, you will likely need to come up with some new gear to fulfill the gear requirements, and there are always high end, super lightweight models of...well, everything. Many seasoned adventure racers will tell you, however, that the gear with the largest price tag or lightest advertised weight is not necessarily the right choice for AR as adventure racing can be rough on your equipment. Why invest in a 200 dollar pair of sunglasses when a five-dollar pair will work just fine? There is no need to invest in a fancy bailer from REI when a sawed off milk jug will do the trick. Get creative.
As you get more experienced you will figure out what gear is worth spending on. Talking to more experienced racers and seeing what the more competitive teams are racing with will also help, especially since some of the most favored companies are not household names.
To get started, try out some local races to make sure investing in a new mountain bike is worth it. Chances are, you know someone with the gear you need. Most races provide boating gear, but can you borrow a bike from a friend if you don't have one? How about a headlamp?
Even for a short sprint race, you will likely need to come up with some new gear to fulfill the gear requirements, and there are always high end, super lightweight models of...well, everything. Many seasoned adventure racers will tell you, however, that the gear with the largest price tag or lightest advertised weight is not necessarily the right choice for AR as adventure racing can be rough on your equipment. Why invest in a 200 dollar pair of sunglasses when a five-dollar pair will work just fine? There is no need to invest in a fancy bailer from REI when a sawed off milk jug will do the trick. Get creative.
As you get more experienced you will figure out what gear is worth spending on. Talking to more experienced racers and seeing what the more competitive teams are racing with will also help, especially since some of the most favored companies are not household names.
Finding a team
Adventure racing developed originally as a team-based sport that is mixed-gender at the premier level, though most races (excluding some of the premier expedition races) now include divisions for single-gender teams. As noted above, some races offer solo racer divisions as some racers prefer to race solo. However, many racers seek to race as a team for at least some portion of their racing career. Racers looking to find teammates can check out resources like the Adventure Race Teammate Finder group on Facebook or contact their local race director to learn about other racers who are looking for teammates to compete in their races.
It may take some time to find a team you race well with. Successful teams, whether those who have known each other for years or who are meeting just before toeing the start line, communicate effectively well before race day. It is important that all teammates agree on the goals for the race. Are you aiming for a podium finish or just hoping to enjoy a day outside together? How hard will the team push? What kind of training effort are racers putting in before the race? Who is bringing what gear and do you have the mandatory gear list covered? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each racer and how can you support each other at low moments? These questions can be helpful to address directly before a race, particularly for teammates who have not raced with each other before. Teams should also discuss who will fulfill key roles on the team such as lead navigator (or sharing navigation roles) and the responsibilities of the captain, which can range based on team preferences from the teammate responsible for organizing pre-race logistics to the primary decision-maker in the event of disagreements. Expedition race teams may also discuss their sleep strategy for multi-day racing.
It may take some time to find a team you race well with. Successful teams, whether those who have known each other for years or who are meeting just before toeing the start line, communicate effectively well before race day. It is important that all teammates agree on the goals for the race. Are you aiming for a podium finish or just hoping to enjoy a day outside together? How hard will the team push? What kind of training effort are racers putting in before the race? Who is bringing what gear and do you have the mandatory gear list covered? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each racer and how can you support each other at low moments? These questions can be helpful to address directly before a race, particularly for teammates who have not raced with each other before. Teams should also discuss who will fulfill key roles on the team such as lead navigator (or sharing navigation roles) and the responsibilities of the captain, which can range based on team preferences from the teammate responsible for organizing pre-race logistics to the primary decision-maker in the event of disagreements. Expedition race teams may also discuss their sleep strategy for multi-day racing.
Joining the community
At USARA, we aim first and foremost to support a community of people who live to adventure in the outdoors. The AR community is welcoming, inclusive, helpful, and humble. Many long-time racers note that the community keeps them coming back to this sport at least as much as the races themselves. New racers will find many willing mentors in this community, whether through talking after races at the post-race party or engaging in online discussion with racers around the world in the Adventure Racing Discussion Group on Facebook or the Attackpoint discussion forums. Photographer and AR-media rep The Legendary Randy Ericksen also offers a series of interviews with racers on his TA 1 podcast, an excellent addition to any long workout. You can connect with other racers by following USARA social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
It's time to race
Like anything new, eventually you will just need to do it. And we promise: after your first race, all you will think about is getting out there for the next one.
Check out the USARA calendar for USARA-affiliated races occurring throughout the U.S. and the ARC calendar for a comprehensive listing of adventure races and AR-adjacent races in the U.S. and internationally. SleepMonsters also maintains a calendar for the international racing scene and ARWS updates their calendar of ARWS-sanctioned events. In choosing and preparing for your race, review race reports from racers who have completed past editions to get a sense for what you are signing up for.
Sure, everyone wants to do Eco-Challenge, but there are a lot of other incredible races out there. Check out what is available in your area and get out there!
Check out the USARA calendar for USARA-affiliated races occurring throughout the U.S. and the ARC calendar for a comprehensive listing of adventure races and AR-adjacent races in the U.S. and internationally. SleepMonsters also maintains a calendar for the international racing scene and ARWS updates their calendar of ARWS-sanctioned events. In choosing and preparing for your race, review race reports from racers who have completed past editions to get a sense for what you are signing up for.
Sure, everyone wants to do Eco-Challenge, but there are a lot of other incredible races out there. Check out what is available in your area and get out there!
UNITED STATES ADVENTURE RACING ASSOCIATION
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