Adventure Racing News

Who will win USARA Nationals?

2009-10-22T10:04:00.000-04:00

Cast your vote NOW...poll closes at noon tomorrow!!

Checkpoint Tracker Offers New Vision for Competitive Adventure Racing

2009-10-18T00:25:00.004-04:00

Year-long series of more than 50 events to culminate with National Championship where qualifying teams will compete head-to-head for bragging rights and a $10,000 cash prize purse.

Greenville,SC (PRWEB) October 18, 2009 -- Checkpoint Zero, LLC today announced the launch of Checkpoint Tracker, an innovative new concept for competitive adventure racing in the United States comprised of a50-event nationwide adventure racing series, a rankings system featuring Sprint and Pro rankings, an entirely new Web 2.0 social networking website, and a National Championship race offering a $10,000 cash prize purse.

Adventure racing teams interested in being ranked based on their performance at Checkpoint Tracker adventure races will be able to choose from over 50 events between January and October 2010. The series includes Sprint length (up to 12 hours), Sport length (12 to 18hours),Adventure length (18 to 48 hours), and Expedition length races,which will see competitors racing non-stop for more than two full days.

Checkpoint Tracker will publish two distinct rankings based on points earned by teams competing at participating events. Teams may compete in as many events as they choose and combine their five best results for their season points total. Sprint rankings will combine points from Sprint races only while the Pro rankings will use a weighted points system to combine results from Sport, Adventure,and Expedition length races.

"Checkpoint Tracker represents the evolution of competitive adventure racing in the United States.It's a fresh start...a break from a status quo," said Paul Angell, President of Checkpoint Zero, LLC. "Adventure racing has yet to fully realize its potential to capture the imagination of adventure seeking outdoor enthusiasts. It remains a balkanized, niche sport. High profile events like Eco Challenge and Primal Quest have succeeded in vaulting the sport into the limelight, but they failed to deliver a sustainable foundation on which to grow the sport at the grassroots and amateur level. Checkpoint Tracker provides a framework for doing exactly that.I'm very excited about what 2010 holds for the sport of adventure racing."

Beginning October 18, 2009 adventure racers in the United States will be able to register at Checkpoint Tracker.com to participate in the2010Checkpoint Tracker adventure racing season,which begins on January16th, 2010 at the North Georgia Adventure Race in Chatsworth, GA.Featuring personal Racer profiles and Team profiles that include a roster of team members and the team's racing schedule, CheckpointTracker.com will serve as the online hub for live coverage of events in progress via an innovative web application called Race Central.

After the last regular season event, Checkpoint Tracker will host a National Championship race that will bring together the top 60 teams by points in the Pro rankings and the top 15 teams by points in the Sprint rankings. The best adventure racing teams in the country will face an all new Adventure length course designed by Bonk Hard Racing. The National Championship will be worth twice as many points as regular season Adventure length races and will offer a$10,000 cash prize purse.

For additional information about Checkpoint Tracker visit http://www.checkpointtracker.com.

About Checkpoint Zero, LLC

Checkpoint Zero, LLC is a sports marketing company based in Greenville, SC. The company operates the popular adventure racing website Checkpointzero.com and produces Checkpoint Tracker, a competitive adventure racing series comprised of more than 50 adventure races across the United States.

Contact

media@checkpointtracker.com
http://www.checkpointtracker.com

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Time for another poll...

2009-10-05T13:40:00.003-04:00

Very cool ultrarunning video

2009-10-05T09:29:00.001-04:00

It's not adventure racing, but who the hell cares...woke me up:

UltraRunning from Matt Hart on Vimeo.

2010 North Georgia Adventure Race

2009-09-29T11:34:00.004-04:00

Just got a few pics of the course from race director Tony Berwald. This legendary southeastern sufferfest is returning in 2010 after a 3 year hiatus. Visit the official race homepage for more information.

Checkpoint Zero/Inov-8 is the 2009 Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing Series National Champion

2009-09-28T10:13:00.002-04:00

With the 100 points earned for their win at this past weekend's Bushwhack Adventure Race, the team has wracked up a perfect 400 points for the season.

They beat out over 100 other adventure racing teams from across the United States who competed in 26 different events since January.

For winning the Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing Series...presented by Inov-8, the team will receive the lion's share of the cash prize purse and an all expenses paid trip to compete in the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge in the United Arab Emirates in December.

Nice work team...way to go!!!!

Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge Prolongs The Pleasure

2009-09-27T15:33:00.004-04:00

All good things must come to an end but there's no reason why you can't stretch out the proceedings a little and make the most of it while it lasts, so we've made the race even longer this year, to give you more challenges, more excitement...and loads more vitamin D.

Abu Dhabi is a country in full flower - the kind of place that requires a rewrite of the travel guides on a weekly basis. New buildings, resplendent experiments juxtaposing futuristic design with cutting-edge material's science, sweeping cultural projects, luxury resorts and wildlife reserves all combine with the timeless hospitality of the Bedouin tribe to compose one of the world's most enticing tourist destinations. With all that available, we could hardly pass up the chance make the race the longest yet, giving you the opportunity to race more, see more and, of course, achieve more.

This year's race includes all those familiar and favourite aspects of the last 2 plus a few tweaks based on your fascinating feedback. On 4th December, Abu Dhabi City, with its skyline of tall, modern buildings interspersed with delicate minarets and elegant seafront promenades will repeat its role as urban showcase for the event by hosting the opening act: a triathlon-style opener that involves 34km of running, cycling, sea kayaking and, for the first time, swimming in the calm waters around the Abu Dhabi Corniche. Not much of a breather later the Arabian Gulf, an essential in the race itinerary with its picturesque desert islands and pristine waters, is an ideal playground for the keen kayaker and an ideal choice for backdrop to the next stage.

In contrast to previous itineraries, when the teams would paddle west of Abu Dhabi and confront vast expanses of open water, this demanding 110km sea-kayaking leg that will take you east around the coast and past the 27 square mile Saadiyat Island, currently in the process of becoming Abu Dhabi's cultural and recreational haven. This international tourist destination in the making will eventually boast 5-star resorts, immaculate sandy beaches, lagoons, a wildlife reserve and the only seaside golf course in the region. A vibrant cultural district, housing some of the Middle East's most audacious architectural gems and extensive art collections, is also under construction. An island bivouac among the lush mangroves will give you time to dry your socks, get some sleep and prepare for the another day's racing on the crystal waters.

After a three hour transfer to the Liwa Desert, via the Liwa Oasis, you are only one authentic Bedouin bivouac away from a very close up and personal rub with the Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter), the world's largest expanse of unbroken sand, equivalent in size to France, Holland and Belgium combined. The dunes of red and gold are so tall that they attract visitors from around the globe with only one objective in mind: get to the top. A 2-day struggle across 120km of dramatic and uncompromising desert will confront you with one of the most challenging stages of the race. You will need to manage water, effort and itinerary choice to have any chance of "beating" the desert. As if that wasn't enough, this is the home of the legendary "shouting sands" (Za'eeq al Raml), a phenomenon that local legends often describe as evil spirits trying to disorient travellers and draw them deeper into peril...and you thought that role belonged to your teammates A trusty compass and reliable map should keep you safe from any interfering djinn but watch out for the early morning fog which, if last year is anything to go by, can really stir things up.

On the 5th day, you will take to the saddle to cover a punishing 95km biking stage. Split into 2 legs, the first 40km section, from the heart of the Liwa desert to Hamim, includes a cameo appearance for the luxury, five-star Qasr Al Sarab desert resort, due to opens its doors to guests in October 2009. You won’t get as far as checking in at this unique, authentic Arabian retreat but a quick detour through the palm-shaded grounds should give you a feel for the place. The 54 remaining kilometres will take you from Hamim all the way to the outskirts of the Oasis city of Al Ain. Otherwise known as the "Garden City of the Gulf", strict planning rules, limiting the height of new buildings, lends an intimacy to the city and an abundance of pleasant parks, age-old markets and cultural attractions, including the recently inaugurated Zayed National Museum, which houses temporary and permanent collections illustrating the life and values of the United Arab Emirates' illustrious founder, gives it, and the delightfully leafy streets, a distinctly traditional Arabian atmosphere.

After a night camped in a cool canyon to the east of the Jebel Hafeet range, the all important final day starts with a novel, night-orienteering section followed by a trek up the jagged slopes of the mountain range which, at 1,340m, dominates the surrounding area and is one of the UAE's highest peaks. A technically demanding rope works section will give you a stunning view across the fertile plains studded with date farms that reach the outskirts of Al Ain. From the top of what is one of the UAE's highest mountains, you will careen 37km down into the city centre of Al Ain along roads closed expressly for the race. The final 4km will be on foot, with teams sprinting through the popular Central Gardens, where a large cosmopolitan crowd comes at weekends to picnic and play, to the finish line at the Jahili Fort, one of the country's most important historical monuments and the largest castle in Al Ain. You'll most certainly be exhausted but also a lot wiser. In a race renowned for the quality of its course set in a country celebrated for its hospitality and cultural heritage, longer can only mean better.

http://www.abudhabi-adventure.com

UPDATED: Shootout at the Bushwhack Adventure Race

2009-09-24T09:42:00.004-04:00

UPDATE: I was just reminded that Alpine Shop won Thunder Rolls and is sitting at 280 points. They're at the Berryman Adventure this weekend. If they win and both CPZ and EMS crash and burn at Bushwhack they'd tie Checkpoint Zero/Inov-8 on points at 380.

original post

The overall points winner of the Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing Series presented by Inov-8 will be decided this weekend at the Bushwhack Adventure Race in Raleigh, NC.

Checkpoint Zero/Inov-8 is presently sitting in 1st place with 380 points. They're up against Eastern Mountain Sports, who finished the 2008 Series in 2nd place. EMS is in 7th with an even 300 points.

A win will put either team at a perfect 400 points for the year and clinch the Series.

If neither team takes first place, EMS will have to finish in the top 3 and ahead of Checkpoint Zero/Inov-8 to win the 2009 Series.

2009 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challange attracts veterans and rookies

2009-08-28T09:20:00.003-04:00

By combining an accessible stage format with a convivial race culture and exposure to local traditions, the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge affirms its universal appeal by, once again, drawing widespread interest from teams around the globe.

From overall course design, rules and regulations to logistical support and cultural context, all aspects of The Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge are carefully fine-tuned to bring out the best in every competing team. The stage-race format allows athletes to give 100% during the day's racing while benefiting from the restorative qualities of an evening bivouac. Optional routes, included in the longer, more challenging stages, allow teams to maximise their physical effort by racing at their own rhythm, incurring a time penalty rather than dropping out altogether through exhaustion. If a team wanders off-course enough to require direct intervention from the organization, penalties are incurred but provision has been made to avoid exclusion from the race altogether. Winning is for one; participating is for all.

Although teams are free to bring their own equipment, the organisation provides top quality MTBs, and state of the art sea-kayaks to every team. All the logistics involved in transporting teams and gear between stages and serving hot meals in the transitional bivouacs is also covered by the organisation, eliminating the need for support crews.

Last year, this innovative and unique set of credentials attracted an exceptional field comprising 36 teams from no fewer than 19 different nations, establishing The Challenge as the world's most cosmopolitan adventure race ever - a record well within sight this year as pros, seasoned amateurs and neophytes already flock to register for the 2009 event. Many "early adopters" are completely new to the race with the likes of ARCTIC EXPLORERS (GB), DOLPHIN TEAM XTREME (NL) and KINESIUM (FRA) joining ranks with returnees SALOMON CRESTED BUTTE (USA) and SPELEO SALOMON (POL) to name just few. A common refrain among newcomers is echoed by Dave SAVVAS, captain of expat Australians SOUTHERN CROSS: "The format is unique and this really inspired us to get a team together for this year. The combination of events, especially the desert trek, is exciting and will definitely test us as a team. The environment is also unique and, whilst we are living in the UAE, there is no better way to really get a true appreciation of the environment"

There are few arenas in the AR world that inspire both rookies and established champions - the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge is one of them.

Live race coverage and information at www.abudhabi-adventure.com

Guided tour of Primal Quest

2009-08-14T10:37:00.002-04:00

Follow Checkpoint Zero on Twitter for links to the best Primal Quest coverage from around the web.

Primal Quest Badlands Expedition Race Presented by SPOT Starts Today

2009-08-14T09:20:00.002-04:00

SPOT LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc. (NASDAQ: GSAT) today announces the start of the 2009 Primal Quest Badlands Presented by SPOT adventure race. For the second consecutive year, teams are equipped with SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger providing online race tracking and public viewing at www.ecoprimalquest.com starting today through August 23, 2009.

Beginning this morning, hundreds of co-ed adventure racers from around the world will navigate, trek, mountain bike, swim, climb, rappel, and paddle 600 miles through the remote wilderness of South Dakota's Badlands and Black Hills. SPOT custom race software and leaderboard technology allows fans to follow the action live through real-time updates on SPOT enhanced Google Maps and MyTopo Maps.

Due to the remoteness of the race the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger provides competitors and race staff with logistical support and emergency communications independent of cellular networks to assist with on-course safety.

"With this year's course being the longest in Primal Quest history, SPOT provides reliable satellite-based communications allowing us to follow and find any athlete or race worker anywhere on the course, 24 hours a day," said Don Mann, Primal Quest Director. "In my view, SPOT has changed the dynamics of adventure racing and Primal Quest is safer and better due to our partnership with SPOT.

"Primal Quest, referred to as, "The World's Most Challenging Human Endurance Competition," is a 10-day, 600 miles (965+KM) co-ed team adventure race; the largest human-powered, multi-discipline, multi-day event of its kind in the world. Since its inception in 2002, the race has attracted world-class athletes and established itself as the leading event of its kind. The SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger meets the extraordinary demands of the Primal Quest teams, as they require a rugged, easy to use tracking product – and a way to update their location reliably.

To learn more about the 2009 Primal Quest Presented by SPOT, visit www.ecoprimalquest.com. Additional team profile information and individual team tracking history is available at www.SPOTadventures.com.

MyTopo says "Primal Quest maps are ready"

2009-08-13T15:52:00.006-04:00

MyTopo is proud to announce that it is has completed the printing of more than 1000 waterproof topographic maps covering most of southwestern South Dakota for use by the highly-trained athletes competing in this year's Primal Quest Adventure Race, billed as the "World's Most Challenging Human Endurance Race". In addition to the race maps, MyTopo has printed map sets for use by the search and rescue personnel, the race management team, and media covering the race, which begins August 14 in The Badlands of South Dakota.

The maps must be detailed and durable enough to be the teams' sole navigation aide during ten days of grueling human-powered racing through every type of weather and geographic obstacle. MyTopo custom-centers and scales the data to put the entire 600 mile course onto as few map sheets as possible. The maps are printed on the company's proprietary waterproof, tear-resistant paper, with UV-fade resistant inks, which results in a nearly indestructible map.

According to Kevin Toohill, MyTopo CEO, this year the teams will carry 15 maps each. "That sounds like a lot of maps, but if the teams had to rely on the traditional USGS 7.5 minute quad sheets, they would be carrying at least 45 maps to cover the entire area."

"MyTopo maps are the gold standard among adventure racers. They match the toughness of an elite adventure racer," said Don Mann, director of Primal Quest, a former Navy Seal, and one of the most respected and renowned leaders in the sport of adventure racing.

New this year, MyTopo provided its award-winning Terrain Navigator Pro mapping software to the Primal Quest course designers. "The software provided a platform for the course designers to use to plot out the course logistics and share mapping data with Federal and State land managers, law enforcement, and race management to ensure a challenging, but safe experience for the racers. One of the most helpful features was being able to simultaneously work with topographic and aerial data," said Greg Vogel, Primal Quest's Technology Director, who believes this year's course offers unique challenges.

The race's online spectators will be able to view the same detailed topographic data the racers are relying on by clicking on the MyTopo tab on the Primal Quest Badlands Presented by SPOT leader board. The tracking data transmitted by the SPOT devices worn by the racers will be viewable real-time on fully detailed topographic maps, making it more exciting to follow the teams as they traverse The Badlands.

"MyTopo is proud to have been a part of its fourth Primal Quest race, and wishes all involved great success for a safe and exciting ten days, " said Toohill.

MyTopo supports the adventure racing community via its popular adventure race director discount program, which allows race organizers to purchase maps at a fifty percent discount, providing a 10% discount on all individual training maps ordered via the Primal Quest website (www.ecoprimalquest.com) providing discounts to members of the US Adventure Racing Association, and providing maps for the USARA Championship race each year. MyTopo is a private company based in Billings, MT, providing navigation-ready mapping services, data and software. For more information about MyTopo, please visit www.mytopo.com or call 877-587-9004.

Watch Primal Quest on HDNet

2009-07-30T09:20:00.003-04:00

The premier expedition-length adventure race in the world is coming to the premier high-definition broadcast network this August, as Primal Quest Montana Presented by SPOT begins airing on HDNet starting August 8. The series will run for four consecutive Saturdays at 10:30 AM ET with an encore presentation at 2:30 PM ET.

Primal Quest has been called "The Worlds Most Challenging Human Endurance Competition", and HDNet viewers will have the opportunity to see why it has earned that moniker. Sixty co-ed teams of four will race non-stop for ten days across a course that is more than 500 miles in length. They’ll run, paddle, climb, and mountain bike their way through some of the most challenging terrain on the planet.

For more on Primal Quest and the upcoming Primal Quest Badlands Presented by SPOT event in South Dakota Aug. 14 – 23, go to EcoPrimalQuest.com

Adventure Racing Returns to Summit County

2009-07-14T09:32:00.002-04:00

Summit County, Colorado is the next stop on the Adventure Xstream Race Series circuit. On July 25th, Summit County, a world-class recreation venue, will be welcoming nearly 300 adventure racers, ranging from coed elite teams to first-time challengers and weekend warriors competing in either 6 hour, 12 hour or 18 hour race courses.

Competitors at the Summit Adventure Xstream Adventure Race will test their skills in kayaking, orienteering, trekking, trail running, mountain biking, and optional inline skating across the Rockies. Additionally, team dynamics and mental strength will be challenged by navigating across the 20, 60 or 100 mile courses. People can race as solos, 2 person or 4 person teams.

Nestled into the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Summit County is home to some of the world’s finest skiing and alpine recreation. With four ski areas and trail networks , Dillon Reservoir, and thousands of acres of national forest scattered across its expanse, Summit County is one of Colorado’s best places to ski, mountain bike, hike and boat. Along with its natural beauty, this venue boasts one of the nation’s highest altitude courses. Racers will be clearing elevations of 12,300 feet during the event.

"We are extremely excited to be coming back to Summit County again this year," said Race Director, Will Newcomer. "It is a beautiful venue in the mountains and its close proximity to Denver makes it an easy venue for racers to get to. With the addition of a 6 hour race at this venue it makes it a great race for newbies to the sport."

For more information please visit http://www.GravityPlay.com or call 970.259.7771.

Stunning photos from Untamed New England

2009-07-11T09:28:00.002-04:00

Renowned sports photographer Luis Moreira is on the ground at the Untamed New England expedition race.

He's posting tons of great photos to our Untamed New England gallery.

We got his latest at 8:30 this morning.

Winners of the Checkpoint Zero / Odyssey Adventure Racing photo contest

2009-07-07T08:50:00.005-04:00

The following photos were selected from among 65 great entries. Winners will each receive a paid entry to the upcoming Odyssey One Day Adventure race compliments of team Checkpoint Zero/Inov-8 and Odyssey Adventure Racing.

Ellen Farseth of team WEDALI sleeping at the Michigan Expedition Race May 2007 in St. Ignace, Michigan

Asher Lohman and Jake Brewer at the Checkpoint Zero Adventure Race on March 8th, 2008 in Hiawassee, GA

Ron Sanders doing the "Spiderman" on a zip line in the Michigan Winter Adventure Race

Nick Kerr at the Natchez Trace Adventure Race in Tennessee in March 2008

If you submitted a photo, but didn't win you can still register for the race until July 13th.

Team Nike Beaver Creek claims victory in the Crux and the Crucible at Adventure Sports Week

2009-06-20T11:23:00.002-04:00

Team Nike-Beaver Creek, comprised of Jay Henry, Gretchen Reeves and AR legend Mike Kloser claimed the overall co-ed "Crux and Crucible" title at Adventure Sports Week at Farragut State Park, just north of Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, June 13—14.

The north Idaho wilderness created a race venue and backdrop as spectacular as any in the world, and was unanimously praised by the racers for its sheer beauty and the challenges it provided for the teams. "An amazing venue," said Kloser, veteran of over a hundred races from all over the world. "This was an awesome course...the views from some of the mountain summits, as well as those from on the lake were stunning." Added Henry, one of the top mountain bike professionals in the US, "the single track to finish up the second day was one of the best tracks ever. In Adventure Racing, we don't usually get such a great amount of top quality single track, so to have over 15 miles of outstanding trail (7 mixed the first day, and a solid 8 down the mountain the second) in a single adventure race was pretty special."

The Crux and the Crucible was a points-style race that kept the top teams racing full speed and out on the course for as close to the cutoff time as possible, in order to collect the largest number of points from the many mandatory and optional checkpoints along the challenging route.

Saturday dawned clear and hot, and at 7:00, the teams received their maps and got to work plotting out the many controls of the first day. At 8:00 a.m., the shotgun fired, and the race was on. The "warm-up" challenge was a 2 mile "locate and run" around a distant water tower before hitting the bikes for one of the most challenging tests around; over the next several hours, the teams made their way north over multiple mountain peaks bordering Lake Pend Oreille. Teams would navigate, bike, trek and kayak their way through some of Northern Idaho's most rugged terrain.

Along the way, they had to take multiple bearings, and plot additional UTMs as they earned more clues. Despite a slow start while taking time to make sure their maps were plotted properly, team Nike made up time on the bike and was the first to reach the manned bike way point.

The next challenge was a 13 mile kayak down the lake, made more challenging by the fact that a thunder storm was approaching from the east, and would catch some of the later teams, forcing them onto the support boats in the midst of golf ball sized hail and lightning. The kayakers had to stop in the small town of Bayview to complete a mind puzzle before making their way to idyllic Buttonhook Bay, where they had to portage their kayaks up a 200 meter hill before completing a 4 mile orienteering task on foot. Many of the teams were using their headlamps as they approached the 14 hour cutoff of day one.

After Day one, Nike had a slim 5 point lead over True Grit, meaning the race would come down to the second day. With a short night's rest, the surviving teams gathered at 5:00am for the Crucible briefing and maps, and at 6:00 a.m., they headed out on foot long the technical lake shore trail. Day 2 commenced in a slight mist, and with definitely cooler temperatures, which would help the racers later in the day.

After a 2 mile run, the teams had a 250 meter swim with their gear in dry bags, and hiked over the peninsula before retrieving their kayaks and beginning a 7 mile kayak east along Idylwilde Bay toward Lakeview.

Team Life-cycle, an all-male team, were first out of the water, using their super fast 3 man kayak, and a fast swim. Nike and True Grit were only minutes behind, with the remainder of the teams coming in over the next 40 minutes. The second day's challenges were less based on navigation and more on physical ability, as nearly 9000 feet of climbing—both on foot and on bike—awaited them.

There were 10 mandatory points and 11 optional points available the second day, all with varying values, so teams had a choice of route and difficulty, as long as they were back at the finish within the 13 hour time limit. The first check points included river crossings and mountain tops on the way to the base of Chilco Mountain, where the teams dismounted and climbed two miles to the summit on foot, where they were treated to panoramic, 360 degree views of Northern Idaho, Washington, Montana and even Canada in the distance.

Back at the Chilco way point, the teams received the coordinates to the day's toughest challenge: the Crucible, which sat atop Bernard Peak, just across the bay from the venue. Even after 8 hours, it would take teams another hour of climbing to reach the peak, and begin one of the true joys of the day, the 8 mile single track ride down the western bowl of Bernard Peak back into the park. This is truly one of the great single tracks in the world, consisting of a narrow, twisting, smooth dirt trail with numerous switchbacks, stream crossings and jumps to keep the rider's occupied during the 40 minute descent.

The final task of the day was a challenging on-foot orienteering course through the brush and forest of the park before biking to the finish. Only 4 teams were able to achieve all of the checkpoints on Day 2 and get a perfect score: though all the teams were able to get all the mandatory markers and complete the course. Team Nike-Beaver Creek with their combined two day results bested the rest!

"In all, it was a terrific race," said Kloser. "We'll definitely be back next year. It was a great test, with two days of challenging, fun and exciting racing, I'm personally looking forward to the additions and changes they have in mind for next year."

As for next year, the organizers are already well underway with their plans, but the only thing they will share about next year's course at this point is that roller coasters will be involved!

The Crux and Crucible adventure race at Adventure Sports Week is part of the Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing Series presented by Inov-8.

Send us your best adventure racing photos and race for FREE

2009-06-19T15:50:00.004-04:00

We're up to 13 entries for our Adventure Racing Stimulus photo contest.

Team Checkpoint Zero/Inov-8 in partnership with Odyssey Adventure Racing is giving away 3 FREE entries to the upcoming Odyssey One Day Adventure Race set for July 25th in Roanoke, VA.

We're accepting entries through the end of June.

9th running of the Berryman Adventure set for September 26th

2009-06-18T13:36:00.005-04:00

Bonk Hard Racing, LLC is excited to announce that the ninth running of the Berryman Adventure will be taking place the weekend of September 26th. The Berryman Adventure - presented by The North Face - always draws top teams from across the U.S. because of its true backwoods setting and top competition.

The race is set in the rugged and beautiful Mark Twain National Forest and Ozark National Scenic Riverways of southern Missouri. The 2009 course is completely new and will offer racers miles and miles of single track trails, beautiful crystal-clear rivers and steep, rugged terrain; the Berryman Adventure is what adventure racing is all about.

The race will offer two courses: a 12-Hour course and a 36-Hour course. Both courses will once again reinforce the motto of the race, "a real ass kicker", but the 36-Hour course will continue to be one of the toughest non-expedition races in the United States. Teams must be extremely proficient with a map and compass and should not show up unprepared. The 36-Hour course is the closest you can get to a mini-expedition race and teams should not take it lightly.

This race is by-far one of the cheapest races in the U.S., with a $170 early registration fee for 36-Hours of true backwoods adventure racing. With prizes like North Face tents and sleeping bags, Salomon XT Wing trail shoes, great gear from Columbia Sportswear, Numa Sport Optic sunglasses, Kuat bike racks and a TON of great prizes from regional outdoor stores like Alpine Shop, you will not want to miss this year's race!

This Berryman Adventure 36-Hour 4-Person Coed Elite division will once again be a Regional Qualifier for the USARA National Championships race as well as a part of the Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing Series presented by Inov-8.

Get your team together today and come see for yourself why the Berryman Adventure has the slogan "a real ass kicker!"

To learn more about the race, or to register, visit http://www.theberrymanadventure.com.

Lionheart Adventure Race

2009-06-17T10:09:00.002-04:00

The 5th edition of the American Adventure Sports Lionheart Adventure Race is set for August 8th in Ohiopyle, PA.

Solo racers will compete alongside coed and same sex teams of two, three or four racers along a ~90 mile course featuring mountain biking, trekking, orienteering, kayaking, swimming and rappelling.

The race is unsupported and features a rogaine format centered around the Start/Finish/Transition are at Wilderness Voyageurs.

The Lionheart is part of the Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing Series presented by Inov-8 and is a USARA Nationals Regioinal Qualifier.

Registration is open through August 4th.

Adventure Racing Stimulus Bill

2009-06-09T15:04:00.005-04:00

Team Checkpoint Zero/Inov-8, in partnership with Odyssey Adventure Racing, is giving away 3 FREE entries to the upcoming Odyssey One Day Adventure Race set for July 25th in Roanoke, VA.

To win, send us your best adventure racing photos by June 30th. Checkpoint Zero/Inov-8 team members will each select their 3 favorite photos from among all submissions. Winners will be notified on July 6th.

Registration for the race closes on July 13th so if your team doesn't win you'll still have plenty of time to sign up.

Contest Rules

One entry per team member.
Entries must relate to adventure racing. Photos of teams racing, training or otherwise participating in adventure racing related activities (shopping, at a clinic, visiting the emergency room, etc) will be accepted.
Copyrighted photos will only be accepted if submitted by the person holding the copyright. Photos copyrighted by Odyssey Adventure Racing or Checkpoint Zero, LLC will also be accepted.
Entries with inappropriate, obscene content will not be accepted.
Checkpoint Zero, LLC and Odyssey Adventure Racing reserve the right to use submitted photos for marketing purposes.
Winners will receive a paid entry to the 2009 Odyssey One Day Adventure Race for a single team in any category (1/2/4 person team) and Checkpoint Zero branded Headsweats.
Prizes are non-transferable and may not be exchanged for cash. If a winning team has already paid for their entry to the One Day Adventure Race they will be granted Odyssey dollars equal to the amount paid for use at any future Odyssey event through the end of 2010.
Only one winner (and prize) per team.
Entries must be received by June 30th.
Winners will be selected by Team Checkpoint Zero/Inov-8 and be notified on July 6th.
Checkpoint Zero, LLC reserves the right to modify these rules at any time to guarantee the integrity of the contest.
All entries will be showcased in the Adventure Racing Stimulus Bill photo gallery for your entertainment.

Send entries including a single photo in JPG format, team name, names of all persons in the photo and the name, date and location of the event if the photo was taken at a race to yak@checkpointzero.com.

North Georgia Adventure Race to return in 2010

2009-06-08T15:14:00.002-04:00

"Every time I try to get out...they pull me back in..."

That's the response I got from Tony Berwald when I asked him what on earth would possess him to bring the NGAR out of mothballs.

Really, this was inevitable. Tony never lost his desire to produce the race...rather two kids, a little burnout and the chance handle course design for the 2007 and 2008 editions of the Checkpoint Zero Adventure Race gave him a hard-to-resist opportunity to take a break without walking away entirely.

The 2010 edition of this favorite, frigid, Georgian suffer-fest is set for January 16th in Ellijay, GA. Coed and same sex teams of 3 will bike, paddle and trek 90+ miles while navigating by map and compass. Registration will open July 1st and the entry fee is $345 per team.

The 2010 North Georgia Adventure Race will be part of the 2010 Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing Series presented by Inov-8.

For more information visit the official race website at http://www.northgeorgiaar.com.

2009 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge announced

2009-05-14T10:05:00.004-04:00

This year's Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge will be held from the 4th to the 9th of December. The innovative nature of this demanding sporting and cultural odyssey, with its unique emphasis on fairness, accessibility and camaraderie, represents adventure racing's most exciting opportunity to race against the world's most international field.

In keeping with the last two years, when early December was chosen as the ideal period for adventure racing's Blue Ribbon finale, the 2009 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge will be held from the 4th to the 9th of December. What's more, to ensure that the race offers a sporting challenge rather than an economic one, especially given the current economic climate, the organizers have made a €1,000 reduction to the 2009 entrance fee, bringing it to €2,500 per team and opening the world's most international race to the entire adventure racing community.

In total contrast to many other headline-grabbing races held around the globe, the ADAC is designed to not only appeal to the world's top teams but also to those with the ambition of becoming one themselves but who, as yet, might lack sufficient international or big race experience. Last year, the highly successful ADTA awards took a selection of fortunate 'local' teams from Britain, Sweden, Slovenia the USA and South Africa, all with no international race experience, handed them entry fees, plane tickets and the opportunity to rub shoulder with and learn from the world's best.

The ADTA Continental Rookie Prizes (2,500 USD) handed out cash prizes to the four top teams, one from each of the following four continental zones, Europe, North - South America, Asia - Oceania and The Middle East - Africa, racing for the first time in The Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge. Both initiatives, aimed at promoting the sport throughout the burgeoning international rookie community, will be maintained for this year's race.

After 6 days over a course worthy of the world's most international field and matched only by the quality of the encounters with Abu Dhabi's vibrant culture, a lucky few will take with them the "glittering prizes" but thanks to a judiciously planned course and flexible support infrastructure, every team is given the chance to finish the race one way or another. Only in this way are all teams able to complete what is, after all, the objective of any sporting event: to participate and be enriched by the competition, rivalry and ensuing camaraderie. To learn from the experience, come back again and maybe win.

For more information visit http://www.abudhabi-adventure.com.

Michigan Expedition Race is in progress

2009-05-13T11:07:00.002-04:00

This multi-day expedition race is part of the Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing Series presented by Inov-8.

The race began at 7:00 this morning with 18 teams setting out on the first paddling leg.

LIVE coverage, made possible by Series sponsors Inov-8, MPGear.com, Numa Sport Optics, MyTopo.com, nuun Active Hydration, Headsweats and the soon-to-be-launched Adventure magazine features SPOT-based GPS tracking, leaderboard, race blog, "shout outs", competitor map and more.

2009 Checkpoint Challenge presented by Trailblazers Adventure Racing Club and team Checkpoint Zero/Inov-8

2009-05-08T16:22:00.006-04:00

Checkpoint Zero/Inov-8 in association with Trailblazers Adventure Racing Club is pleased to announce the 2009 Checkpoint Challenge.

Building upon past years successful partnership at the Trailblazers Midnight Rush adventure race, we are again offering individuals who have never competed in adventure racing the opportunity to train and race with members of the Checkpoint Zero/Inov-8 adventure racing team in the upcoming Siege on Fort Yargo adventure race.

As part of the Checkpoint Challenge, six selected individuals will be paired up with Checkpoint Zero/Inov-8 team members who will mentor and accompany them through training, race preparation as well as the actual race itself. This is an excellent opportunity for people looking to make their debut in adventure racing but are unsure of how to start.

This years Siege on Fort Yargo adventure race will be held on June 20th at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder, Georgia. The race will feature mountain biking, trekking, rappelling, paddling, and of course, navigation. The approximately 20 mile race will start at 9 AM and take racers up to 5 hours to finish, giving teams the opportunity to experience adventure racing without having to sign up for a.

In order to be selected for this unique opportunity, please send an email to to the selection committee (peter@checkpointzero.com) with a 200-400 word essay with the reason(s) why you think you should be selected for the 2009 Checkpoint Challenge. To be eligible, we ask that applicants have an interest in adventure racing but never have competed in an adventure race before.

Entries must be received by June 1st. Selection will be completed and winners will be notified by June 5th.

Sorry about the short notice!!! It's Yak's fault :-(