New to ar: picking a race

By Brent Freedland

Picking an event, especially as a less experienced adventure racer, can be a bit daunting. Because adventure races rely on navigation, details about individual races are often kept secret by race directors until a week or so before the start, and much of the course information is not revealed until racers are at check-in or even out on the course. While this dearth of information can be difficult to adapt to, there are several ways racers can learn about a given race, a specific race director (RD), or what to expect out on the course.
 
First and foremost, understand that when you pick a race, you are really picking an RD. Unlike sports such as marathons and triathlons, there is very little standardization in the sport of adventure racing, and races reflect the personal philosophies, passions, preferences, and creativity of the RD. Some RDs focus on biking, others on foot travel. Some design races that only require basic or intermediate navigation, others challenge the best navigators in the sport. Some set out to serve up the most physically challenging courses they can while others focus on creativity and strategy.
 
Even then, many RDs are forced to adapt to land conditions or what local land managers will allow, so races can feel very different year to year, especially if a race organization involves different course designers. Additionally, a particular race organization may approach each of their events very differently, depending on their target audience. Considering all of this, newer racers who are not familiar with the different styles and reputations of a given RD may want to do a bit more research before picking the event that is right for them or, more importantly, the event that is right for their team. Here are some thoughts to get you started:

The RD explains the checkpoint flags in a pre-race meeting. Photo by Dan Singer.

TOP 7 TIPS FOR PICKING THE RIGHT ADVENTURE RACE FOR YOU

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1. As discussed in our New to AR Series, exploring the USARA-hosted CALENDARS and identifying potential races that fit your schedule is step number one. Especially if you are thinking about longer races (twelve hours or more), consider keeping your options open and looking a bit further afield geographically. Many adventure racers travel several hours to race since AR is not as common as other endurance sports. The best race for you might not necessarily be the closest one.
2. Look closely at the race WEBSITE. Does the RD provide details on what you can expect? Are there any hints on whether the race is suitable for beginners, how technical the terrain might be, or how the RD accommodates newer racers if it’s a more challenging event? Typically, a short sprint race (six hours or less) will be accessible to all; it might not be easy, but it should be manageable for most if not all beginners. Longer races tend to be designed with more experienced racers in mind, but many RDs do consciously plan alternative routes or checkpoints with novice racers in mind.
3. EMAIL the RD with your questions. Most RDs will not provide specific details, but they may be able to clarify how appropriate the event is for your team or answer questions that will help you better assess whether it’s the right event for you.
4. Of course, RDs also want you to come to their race, and understandably they will be very encouraging most of the time. With this in mind, it is wise to do some additional RESEARCH. Many racers write and publish race reports on personal blogs, social media, and networking sites like AttackPoint. Mark Lattanzi also hosts a library of race reports. It is not exhaustive, so a google search may still help turn up something helpful, but it is a comprehensive and user-friendly starting point. Keep in mind that adventure racers are a very positive group; even when an event might not go according to plan, racers are reluctant to be too critical of an event or an RD. That said, you should be able to learn about the race and the RD’s approach.
5. NETWORK. The single best way to get information about a race is to talk to other racers in person. If you are thinking of doing another event or weren’t thrilled by your initial experiences, ask a more seasoned racer. Experienced racers will likely know, anecdotally at least but more likely from first-hand experience, what a given RD's strengths and weaknesses are, what their philosophy is on course design, and how they run their events. Racers are also more likely to be a bit more honest about the pros and cons of a given event in person rather than in a public written report. Try to get multiple opinions, and consider that the perspective of a top racer “clearing the course” versus a newer racer doing a shortened version of a course may be completely different. So, reach out, in person or via email. Adventure racers love to chat and help newer racers get into the sport.
6. ATTENDANCE. Attendance tells part of the story, but be aware that it’s not always the best measure of a race. Sometimes, a race has a big field because it’s the only event nearby, and local racers who don’t travel for racing may return to the same event every year. Some of the best races and race directors have historically had smaller fields of teams. At the same time, big fields can and do sometimes indicate a popular, well-run event.
7. The single best piece of advice is to sample different events from different RDs. Adventure racing is a unique sport in that races can feel so very different. What might excite one racer at a particular event may not engage another, but both events may be outstanding in their own way. Whether you loved your first race or hated it, consider giving the sport another try with a different RD. Odds are good that if you were tempted into trying an adventure race, the sport IS for you even if you may not find every race to be what you are looking for!

A 2-person co-ed team paddles with their bikes during an adventure race. Photo by Jake Trost.