Adventure Racing for the Rest of Us

Adventure racing got started in the 1990s. The Eco-Challenge and Primal Quest races were multi-day events that included challenging physical activities and extreme conditions. Today, highly publicized adventure races like the Eco-Challenge and Amazing Race usually feature elite athletes or celebrities completing exotic tasks or globe-hopping to different parts of the world. But why should they have all the fun? An adventure race can be a fun, challenging event, hosted in the local community with local resources. This article discusses seven steps to setting up an adventure race, as well as variables such as route finding, teams, staff considerations, timing systems, risk management, evaluation, and tips for a successful race. The types of activities and team challenges are limited only by the creativity and imagination of the race coordinators. Careful thought and consideration of the variables of the race can help create an outstanding event that will draw participants for years to come.