Adventure Racing News

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 :-(

Untamed New England attracts record turnout

2009-05-07T14:22:00.004-04:00

The 3-day Untamed New England adventure race, North America's AR World Series Qualifier for 2009, is setting records for expedition race participation in the Northeast United States. With 40 teams and 150+ participants, Untamed New England will dwarf previous expedition races in the region with participants coming from across the US, Canada, and even Europe.

"The host resort, New Hampshire's Balsams Grand Resort, is bracing for an all-out invasion of merino wool, lycra, and mountain bikes," joked Race Director, Grant Killian. "This is an elegant resort that has partnered with us to develop their edgy and adventurous side...and we're bringing them the largest field of teams an expedition race has ever had in New England."

The 200 mile race course is truly worthy of being a World Championship Qualifier. Teams will bike staggering mountain passes and narrow, rooty trails; teams will navigate alpine summits, old wood forests, and bogs; teams will paddle the crystal clear rivers and lakes fed by mountain streams; teams will dangle from sheer rock faces on the ropes course. The course travels through territory normally reserved just for New England’s iconic wildlife: black bear, moose, and eagles. For a few days in July, adventure racers will share this terrain with the wild inhabitants.

Podium finishers at Untamed New England earn a spot in the AR World Championships in Portugal later in 2009. The winning team earns a free entry into the Championships and $4000 to offset their travel expenses to Portugal. The 2nd place team also earns a free entry into the AR World Championships (but no cash for expenses). Other generous sponsor support makes for over $15,000 of prizes on the line.

Introducing banananuun

2009-05-06T14:24:00.003-04:00

nuun, which turns every water source into optimal, balanced hydration, is releasing a refreshing new flavor..."banananuun".

This sixth flavor will be available in stores immediately alongside the ever popular lemon lime, citrus fruit, orange ginger, tri berry and kona cola.

"As the leader in the hydration tab market we wanted to come out with a flavor that's not been done before," says Tim Moxey, CEO. "We're proud that nuun is used by the best athletes on the planet to manage hydration on the go. They understand that drinking plain water or sports drinks and staying properly hydrated are not one and the same. With over 5 years of developing the category, we know that our blend of electrolytes works best to help replace what is lost when riding/running and can also prevent cramping."

Each nuun tablet supplies sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium - the essential electrolytes active bodies need, without the sugars found in other sports drinks. Plus, the compact tube of 12 tablets eliminates the need for plastic bottles. Simply drop one tablet into any reusable drinking bottle and add water to make an electrolyte-enhanced drink with light, refreshing flavor.

Whether hiking, running, cycling or doing hot yoga, hydration is key for optimal performance and comfort. Yet, it is estimated that only 10 percent of people are properly hydrated. nuun's light flavors make it easy to keep drinking to stay hydrated. In fact, adding a flavor to water increases intake by 40 percent, while adding flavor and electrolytes increases intake by 90 percent versus plain water. Plus, with nuun, one compact recyclable tube of tablets represents twelve less plastic bottles ever being made or used.

Moxey adds, "We encourage you to break the habit of using bottled water and try a banananuun tab in a reusable bottle. Get a taste of what cyclists, triathletes, runners, and hikers around the world already have. nuun - hydration reinvented."

nuun is a sponsor of the Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing Series presented by Inov-8 and of team Checkpoint Zero/Inov-8.

Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing Series expands to 26 events

2009-04-30T16:03:00.013-04:00

The Equinox Traverse and Lionheart Adventure Race, both produced by American Adventure Sports, are now part of the Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing Series presented by Inov-8.

The Equinox Traverse is a 48 hour expedition format adventure race set for June 12th in Covington, VA. Coed and same sex teams of 2, 3 or 4 will paddle, trek, mountain bike and navigate their way across a 160+ mile course. Rappelling, Tyrolean traverse and portaging are par for the course. This event is worth 200 Series points.

The Lionheart is a 26 hour adventure race set for August 8th in Ohiopyle State Park, PA. Solo racers and coed or same sex teams of 2, 3 or 4 will race 85 to 90 miles across the beautiful & rugged Laurel Mountains of south western Pennsylvania. This event is worth 100 Series points.

The youngest adventure racer

2009-04-27T13:37:00.005-04:00

A six hour adventure race is a daunting challenge for any athlete...and a wonderful experience at any age.

It's inspiring to see our youngest generation out on the course...racing hard, playing in the dirt and having a blast.

Congratulations to Hunter Leininger of team Florida Xtreme for his incredible accomplishment at the B.O.A.R adventure race presented by Pangea Adventure Racing on Saturday, February 28th...at the ripe old age of 7.

He finished the B.O.A.R. in 5 hours and 34 minutes. The best part of the race according to Hunter was all the swamp mud. At one point he fell into the mud up to his shorts and with the help of his teammate (father) he was pulled free. His only comment..."that was cool...I got dirty :-)"

Hunter sets a great example for all young people who want to enjoy the sport of adventure racing and by competing he ups the ante for the older racers.

See more photos of Hunter on our Facebook page.

UPDATE: Hunter just completed the 4 hour version of the Atlantic Coast Conquest with the help of his 10 year old brother Cameron.

Pura Vida adventure racing training camp

2009-04-27T10:04:00.003-04:00

Pura Vida Adventures hosted its first three day adventure racing camp of 2009 on April 17th. Participants learned how to read and paddle whitewater in inflatable kayaks, basic river rescue skills, proper rappel technique, rope assisted climbing, land navigation, UTM plotting and map reading. To read more about the camp and see additional photos visit our blog at http://experiencethegoodlife.blogspot.com.

Two additional training camps are scheduled for the weekends of May 29th and June 25th. We also offer private training weekends for three or more and five day comprehensive camps in the Spring and Fall.

Please call 772-579-0005 or email contact@pvadventures.com for more information.

2009 Wenger Patagonia Expedition Race

2009-04-22T15:28:00.006-04:00

It was the strongest field in event history, the most prominent press team and the most dedicated staff. Perhaps then, it's no coincidence that conditions brought unprecedented brutality and challenge. The event tested wills, expanded horizons, broke down barriers, raised awareness; all of it bringing us closer to nature, ourselves, and one an other.

Section 1 - 90 km kayak

The start of the 2009 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race blew away all expectations with wind gusts up to 90 kilometers an hour, bringing meter high waves crashing against competitors kayaks as they embarked on the great journey at glacier-lined Lago Grey in majestic Torres Del Paine.

Race organizers closed the section before the swift current of the bulging Rio Serrano dumped racers into the Seno Ultima Esperanza, which churned with nearly two meter white caps and up to 120 knot winds. Staying tight throughout the section, no clear leaders emerged.

Section 2 - 100 km mountain bike

Having wolfed down some calories and quickly assembled bikes with prunes for fingers, teams set out in a tight pack onto a small dirt road flanked by quintessentially Andean snow-capped, jagged peaks in the day's first drizzles of rain.

The first 46 kilometers are pure ascent and descent, racers struggling to gain every meter before cresting, then reaching dangerous speeds in the pothole riddled gravel road.

Adventure was had by all as photographers leapt from truck beds and clambered up hillsides.

Surprising everyone, first time participant English Team Helly Hansen-Prunesco gained a 39 minute lead over last year's winners, French team Easy Implant on the section. "We're very tired and cold, but the news that we're in the lead is a huge mental and physical boost," said a beaming Bruce Duncan of Helly Hansen-Prunesco. They also put over 11 hours of distance between themselves and Chilean Almas Patagonicas, the last to arrive at checkpoint 2.

Section 3 - 55 km trek

Now with over 12 hours of continuous racing covering nearly 200 km, teams began arriving at Lago Anibal Pinto in the early hours of the morning. Most didn't stop after disassembling their bikes, but continued on following the glow of their headlamps winding to a 100 meter vertical wall and ascending upwards into the moonlight.

Fearlessness and stamina soaking into us all, race organizers cheered on the racers at the transition, while ambitious journalists hung midway up the wall searching for the perfect shot in darkness.

Greeting racers at the top of the ascent was a 55-kilometer trek, enshrouded by a mist-filled darkness and temperatures hovering just above freezing.

"The crest of the mountains was very craggy, limiting where a team could find passage, and we had no visibility due to heavy rain clouds and the rapidly approaching night," recounted Druce Finlay of Calleva. Most teams persevered through the second night of trekking with a 15 minute catnap or two, deliriousness setting in for some.

It only got wetter and colder after the disorienting forest section. "Then it was just all bog and more bog. We were up to our ankles in water all the way and pushing hard to try and get the trek completed in daylight, but when we came off the hill we could see the whole valley below was flooded - there were pools of water everywhere," lamented an exhausted Bruce Duncan of Helly Hansen-Prunesco.

Heavy rain persisted during days 2 and 3, making travel and navigation ever more complicated. Patagonia grit its teeth claiming the race's first two victims. After struggling to reach mandatory checkpoint cutoffs, both Almas Patagonicas of Chile and QuassarLontra Master of Brazil withdrew from the race.

Section 4 - 137 km mountain bike

Many teams had trouble finding the muddy Rio Perez checkpoint where organizers, journalists and sponsors were gaining a greater appreciation for one another as they huddled together for warmth under tarps enshrouded by the forest.

The worsening conditions had made roads to the checkpoint impassable to all but beefy 4X4s. Meter deep ruts filled with slippery goop caused more than a few falls that weren't without consequence, once sunny racing jersey's transformed.

In spite of the conditions, "this race had some of the most scenic riding I've experienced in any expedition race" said racer Druce Finlay.

Leading teams raced on with even more urgency, compelled to reach the day's final ferry at 19:00 departing for Isla Riesco, where they would find their kayaks. Only the English and the French made it, arriving late in the evening of the 12th of February at Rancho Sutivan where they were able to have their first real rest since embarking over 245 km ago.

Section 5 - 88 km kayak

Nature's unpredictability turned the seeming advantage of arriving early to Rancho Sutivan into disadvantage. The English and French teams entered the second kayak section starting with a 15 km open water crossing of Otway Sound in nearly prohibitive conditions that kicked up massive swells.

Conditions subsided, rainbows softening the drastic coastal landscape, allowing for a relatively easier crossing for the Canadians, Americans, Team Buff of Spain and Trespass of Chile. Having completed the mountain bike section Medilast Sport-La Tercera could not continue.

There would be little reprieve following the challenging crossing. After paddling through the fairy tale landscape of Wickhand Fjord, racers commenced hauling their 45 kg Necky Amaruk kayaks and gear across the 'Indian Passage'. The route, once made famous by stalwart natives who used the shortcut to their advantage in battle with invaders, is a brutal 20 km slog through bogs which quickly envelope racers up to their wastes. Bruce Duncan and Helly Hansen-Prunesco will forever remember the black-hole Patagonian bog lands called turba as "PESM, the pink energy sucking monster."

In an arrogant attempt at gaining journalistic empathy, a member of the organization and I made the slog ourselves. In hindsight, a fair comparison would be a journalist covering a war shooting themselves to know how it feels.

Shortly after starting the passage, local team Almas Patagonicas became the race's fifth victim. Team Buff of Spain completed the portage but could go no further leaving only four teams left in the struggle for the finish line.

Section 6 - 120 km trek

"As we were preparing the French team arrived. We knew we had a time bonus over them, but 5 hours wasn't going to be much on a trek that was expected to take 3 days," recounts Bruce Duncan of the English front runners.

The quest for the title was still up for grabs going into the last section, a trek with drastic alpine ascents containing unforgiving routes, turba that even Moses would sink into, and sinister forest; far longer and more demanding than the first trek.

The French team made good time in pursuit of the English and thought they may be gaining ground. The better rested English had feared that may be the case when they took a substantial gamble, climbing high up on a ridge on the southern side of the valley they were traversing in an attempt to get out of the forest that was both physically and mentally painful to thrash through.

Five days of relentless toiling against all odds and obstacles, yet it can come down to just one decision. "When we got to the top we were rewarded with a lovely undulating ridge with spectacular views and easy progress, much better than the trees and rivers in the valley below where we could see the French battling along," said the team.

The English were on their way to completing what those of us who witnessed it are calling the perfect race. From there the team, "made great distance, crossed huge rivers swelled with heavy rain, gazed at waterfalls being blown back up the mountain and marveled at the mountains," as they marched on to the 25 meter tall Cross of the Seas - a symbol of spirituality, a marker of both an end and a beginning - lying atop Cape Froward. Here at the very end of the Continental Americas, they were humbly overcome by emotion as they were crowned champions of the 2009 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race.

Next would be the French who had battled past injury and illness in an inspired performance. "I want to give my sincere thanks to the English team who gave us a great challenge," said a gracious team captain Bruno Rey after the race.

Spirit Canada arrived to claim third place the following day, February 18, and waited at the finish line for team Calleva of the U.S. who was expected to arrive shortly. They did not. February 19 came. Team Calleva did not.

Having arrived later than they hoped after both of their kayaks were overturned when they aggressively attempted to make up time by running a river riddled with brambles and rapids, the Americans showed their relentless spirit by continuing into darkness up the steep mountainous climb during their first day of the trek. Shortly after dark, the alpine Patagonia abandoned its ephemeral serenity, transforming into a violent storm of snow, ice and wind.

Left no alternative but to pitch their small, wet tent on a thin mountain ridge, the team relied on each other and instant soup for the warmth needed to keep them from having to call for assistance from the organization and abandon the race.

Waking to a tent buried in snow, the team refused to relinquish their hopes of finishing this test that had taken them to their limits and beyond. Now in daylight and fair weather, the team quickly realized they had veered off course. After bushwhacking for twelve hours and only gaining 7 kilometers in the thickest brush forest they'd ever seen, the team decided to take a short cut.

It proved to be "the longest shortcut of my life," said team captain Mark Lattanzi. It led them to the coast a mere 8 kilometers from the finish. For a few kilometers the going was relatively easy. Slowly though the cliffs grew taller with the sea closing in on the coast. They followed the coast until they had gone beyond the finish line to the south, finally there was nowhere to go.

In a show of superhuman devotion to achieve their goal, Calleva attempted to swim in the 10 C waters of the Straight of Magellan around the looming cliffs for a couple hundred meters but their weakened state - they had now been with little food other than berries they found along the way for days, were beyond exhaustion and had lowered body temperatures - prevented them from making a swim they may have otherwise been able to.

After being trapped at literally the most southern point of the continental Americas and only a few hundred meters from the finish for almost two days, two team members decided to try climbing the massive, vertical cliffs overhead without the aid of rope. Risk was rewarded and the Cross of the Seas came into view after they struggled to the top. The sight of the finish line pulsed through them and they made the final arduous pilgrimage. "Spirit...an invisible force that can't be measured or assigned to anything physical," is what Calleva's Druce Finlay says brought them through the ultimate test of will, and to the finish line.

The organization quickly transported the team by helicopter back to Punta Arenas. After being treated at the hospital they were still able to make it to the lamb feast and awards ceremony to the inspired applause of all.

Walking away from the ceremony there was little doubt in the human capacity to break down any barrier, achieving the truly unthinkable.

2009 Wenger PER Gallery

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Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge cuts entry fee by 40%

2009-04-21T13:02:00.006-04:00

Excellent news from the organizers of the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge as they make a massive reduction to the 2009 entrance fee, ensuring access to all teams across the international adventure racing community.

An adventure race of this importance requires serious funds, preparation and logistics but, more than any of these, it requires you.

Without the athletes, there is no race, and to ensure that no team is excluded from competing in this remarkable challenge, the organizers of the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge have decided to restructure some of the administrative aspects of the competition in order to reduce costs.

This means that the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority are delighted to lower the registration fee by €1,000 (~$1,300), bringing the entrance fee for this year's ADAC down to €2,500 (~$3,250) per team and opening the world's most international race to the entire adventure racing community.

Online registration is now open and you can put your names down right away for what promises to be another spectacular event, cleverly designed by our team of experts to expose you to the natural and cultural wonders of Abu Dhabi, a tough contest and some heart-warming hospitality.

Quit shining that headlamp in my face

2009-04-17T09:20:00.002-04:00

The GoMotion concept is the brainchild of Jonathan Craig and Bob Hunnewell, a pair of Boston-based (props to my fellow Massholes) innovators that were simply not willing to shelve their running habits in the dark of a New England winter.

They were unsatisfied with the available choices of highway reflective vests and forehead-mounted mini lamps, so they went back to the drawing board.

The GoMotion Light first came to life when Craig - tired of wearing an uncomfortable and marginally effective headlamp for post-work runs - fashioned a then state-of-the-art incandescent lens onto a hand-carved wood chest plate and tied it to his torso using a rope harness.

Mounted over his chest for stability and minimal movement, Craig had created the foundation for a true outdoor innovation. The GoMotion product line is the result of a passion for the outdoors, a bit of ingenuity and problem solving, combined with the desire to be active outside within the constraints of today's busy schedules.

The patent-pending GoMotion Light with CoreBeam technology is designed from the start as a body-mounted light source. GoMotion lights incorporates a high-output, low-profile LED with multiple functions including adjustable beam angle, wide ranging beam width control, and three brightness level options; mounted in a comfortable and stable location on the body. GoMotion lights are attached to performance packs, vests, and belts made of breathable mesh & high-tech fabrics offering unparalleled comfort and flexibility.

The GoMotion line also includes a Sternum Light Kit that retrofits the GoMotion Light onto shoulder straps of existing packs. Additional performance features include blinking tail-lights and reflective trim.

Team Checkpoint Zero/Inov-8 will be putting the GoMotion through the ringer over the next few weeks and months. Stay tuned for a no-BS review of this intriguing new concept in personal lighting technology.

Next time you're racing in the dark and see a gaggle of dwarfs wearing headlamps coming at you that'll be us :-)

Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing Series invited to join ADTA Awards

2009-04-16T09:49:00.013-04:00

In 2007 the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge burst onto the expedition adventure racing scene and has quickly become a magnet for the world's best racers.

The production value of this event is off the hook.

Race management is among the most experienced and professional in the history of the sport, the cultural setting is nothing short of magical and the locale is...breathtaking.

In 2009 the ADTA Awards will collaborate with 7 different races/organizations who share our idea as to the necessity to help and encourage new, strong teams. A section on the official race web site will be dedicated to the awards and will feature information on the procedures, the partner events/organizations, the award winning teams, etc.

We're very excited to have been selected to participate in this outstanding program and look forward to sending a Checkpoint Tracker Series team to Abu Dhabi in December. We'll be posting updated Series rules soon to spell out exactly how this spectacular prize will be awarded. In the meantime check out the list of Series events...you've got 24 races left to wrack up points.

High Profile Adventure Camp

2009-04-15T11:18:00.004-04:00

The 3rd annual, High Profile Adventure Camp presented by High Profile Adventure Racing was held from Friday, April 3 through Sunday, April 5 at the beautiful and historic YMCA Camp Benson in Mount Carroll, Illinois.

145 campers and volunteers from 10 states as far away as Florida and California participated in a full weekend of instruction and field practice in navigation, ropes (rappelling, ascending, zip lines, Tyrolean traverses, cable ladders, top rope rock climbing) and cyclocross racing.

Outstanding educational sessions were presented by Dan Boelman, the Customer Service Manager of Zanfel on "Poisonous Plants", Dr. Ron Stonitsch on "Foot Care", Gerry Voelliger, Captain of Team Enviromark/Orthopaedic Specialists on "Adventure Racing Lessons Learned", and Robyn Benincasa on the "8 Essential Elements of Human Synergy", "Race Strategies", and Project Athena.

The ages of the participants ranged from high school students to college students from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, to adults. Experience levels ranged from beginners to Eco Challenge and Primal Quest veterans.

Using and reinforcing the skills learned, the camp concluded with a 3 hour sprint adventure race which included a cyclocross course, a 100' rappel, a 300' zip line, exploring two caves, multiple river crossings, a bouldering wall, and an orienteering course.

Camp Director, Gerry Voelliger, was very pleased and encouraged by the strong interest in the camp. He stated, "Adventure racing is very much alive and well in the Midwest. The goal of the camp was to prepare racers with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and effectively participate in an adventure race, from a short sprint to a multi-day expedition. The incredible natural features of Camp Benson and the Mississippi Palisades State Park allowed for training and practice in many of the highly specialized skills inherent to adventure racing. Attendance in the camp will only make for better, more prepared racers in the future. Many of the camps past participants have placed high in races throughout the country. Having Robyn Benincasa participate in the camp was an added highlight. She is a wonderful ambassador for the sport and a truly inspirational and motivational speaker. Her enthusiasm towards the sport and warm personality were well received."

The camp was sponsored by Enviromark, Active Endeavors, SUUNTO, Merrell, Healthy Habits-Quad Cities, Coffee Hound-Quad Cities, SPOT, Eco Lips, Salomon, Thunder Rolls Adventure Race, SOLE, Polar Bottle, and Mountain Hardware.

Robyn Benincasa's appearance was sponsored by ZANFEL.

The camp was sanctioned by the United States Adventure Racing Association.

The 2010 camp is scheduled for April 2 - 4, 2010.

For more information and to view photographs taken by professional photographer, Greg Boll, visit http://www.thethunderrolls.org/camp.

Photos by Greg Boll

Cairns to host 5th edition of XPD

2009-04-14T11:41:00.004-04:00

Organizers are excited to announce that Cairns, and the surrounding area of tropical North Queensland, has been chosen to host the 5th edition of XPD. This international expedition adventure race will bring 200+ national and international athletes to Australia from 17-28 May 2010. It will be "as much an expedition as a race".

Race Director Craig Bycroft said, "Tropical North Queensland offers the ideal location to host the 5th edition of XPD. We plan to take competitors through the Great Barrier Reef and nearby islands, the rich and diverse rain forests of the wet tropics, over waterfalls and cascades that feed crystal clear rivers, across lakes of the tablelands and through eucalyptus woodlands of the Eastern savanna country. We even plan to incorporate some of the iconic legs undertaken in the Eco-Challenge of 1997".

XPD is open to mixed, all male or all female teams of four from around the world. The exact course is kept secret until 24hrs before the start. Then with much excitement and anticipation, teams are provided a course booklet and their race maps. The course booklet contains the location of each of the race checkpoints. Once teams start, racing is 24 hours per day; teams choose when and where they will sleep. The winning team is expected to trek, mountain bike and kayak the 700km course in 4-5 days. All other teams will be permitted up to 10 days to complete the expedition without mid-race cut offs. XPD will be challenging for first time racers and experienced teams alike.

As a member of the AR World Series, XPD is a qualifying event for the Adventure Race World Championship. The AR World Series is an international circuit of premiere adventure races representing 10 countries creating a 12 month calendar of professional events around the world. The top two teams at each qualifying event receive automatic entry to the ARWC.

XPD receives generous support from Casio, Macpac, Adventure Racing World Series and Sleepmonsters.

For more information visit http://www.xpd.com.au.

Is Primal Quest too big to fail?

2009-04-14T08:40:00.007-04:00

The field for Primal Quest Badlands stands at 32 teams. Last year it was 58 and in 2006 it was around 90.

That's a 45% decline in attendance since last year and a whopping 65% decline since the Utah edition...which in hindsight was likely it's financial heyday.

32 teams at $11,500 per team is $368,000 in organic revenue...not including cash from sponsors.

So how much is Primal Quest taking in from sponsors? There's no way to know for sure, but we can make an educated guess. Looking at the sponsors listed on the official PQ website and their 2009 rate card I get $270,000...IF...and it's a big if...every sponsor at every level paid full price for their sponsorship package. If you've ever worked in the sports marketing industry you know how likely that is.

So far we're at $368,000 + $270,000 which is $638,000, but we're still missing a big chunk of change.

There are 5 partners listed on the site for which we don't have sponsorship rates...2 broadcast partners, 1 presenting sponsor and 2 state sponsors. It's safe to assume that all of these paid something north of the most expensive package for which we do have rates...the Segment Partner which goes for $20,000.

I have NO idea what any of these top line packages are worth. If you're a sports marketing guru and think you have an idea please post a comment and educate us. It may be that the broadcast partners didn't pay anything...or that SPOT is simply providing tracking units and free use of their service.

Lets err on the side of overestimating and say that for these 5 packages combined PQ took in twice what they got from all their other sponsors....we'll call it $500,000.

So now we're looking at $368,000 + $270,000 + $500,000 which is $1,138,000 in total revenue. We'll even round up and call it $1,250,000.

That's a lot of money, but it pales by comparison to what was spent on prior editions when the Watkins' were writing the check.

To give you an idea of what I mean consider that in a May 2007 interview with Stephen Reginold, The Gear Junkie, Don Mann was quoted as saying:

Last year, we spent $100,000 on the ropes sections. We spent $100,000 on the horse start. We spent $2 million on the web site.

The number I've heard floated for the entire event in 2006, soup to nuts, was on the order of $4M. That's a lot of duckets and a more than 3 times our imaginary working budget for the 2009 edition.

So what does all this mean?

Nothing really. It's Tuesday...it's raining like cats and dogs here at Checkpoint Zero corporate headquarters and I'm just thinking out loud.

It's certainly possible to produce Primal Quest...and do it well...for a LOT less than what's been spent in the past. Don and company proved that last year.

What I wonder is at what point will they have to make sacrifices that have a material impact on the things that in the past made Primal Quest what it is (was).

Remember that early on PQ's tag line was "the world's richest expedition adventure race". That was changed last year to "the world's most challenging human endurance competition".

The race is now longer, and by extension, arguably even harder than ever before, but I don't worry about safety. There are too many smart people at the helm with too much experience. They're not going to send people into the wild without the staff, communications, transportation, etc to ensure their safety.

PQ has never left the continental US, but as of this writing there's been no news about a US broadcast since Voom bailed on the US market.

The cash component of the prize purse has been trimmed substantially from $250,000 to $100,000 last year. The website says that over $175,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded in 2009, but I don't know how much of that is cash vs prizes.

At what point is Primal Quest just a long race?

Does a paring of the "bells and whistles" detract from it's appeal?

Is a lack of TV exposure making it more difficult for teams to lure financial support from sponsors or it is it just the economy stupid?

Is it enough to get a well run and REALLY long suffer-fest for $11,500 or should racers expect more?

What do you think?

Post a comment and lets talk about it.

Pre-Order Primal Quest Montana DVD at MPGear.com

2009-04-11T18:53:00.006-04:00

Follow the worlds most extreme endurance athletes as they race in teams of four along a grueling 500-mile journey, experiencing wild adventure and intensely emotional highs and lows. Live the excitement as they mountain bike, river board, kayak climb, rappel and trek through spectacular Montana back country in the epic 5th edition of Primal Quest Expedition Adventure Race!

The DVD features four 26-minute episodes that were filmed in the highest quality HD format. Additional features include promos from Broadcast Partner RUSH HD, Presenting Partner SPOT, and State Partner Travel Montana.

Order now for shipment on April 15th.

Jon Barker is Nucking Futs

2009-04-07T21:18:00.006-04:00

If you don't know Jon your life is less than it could be. He's a rare and inspiring individual and he impresses me.

I won't bore you with an unauthorized biography...just a few highlights.

He's British...or is it English...I don't know...he's from across the pond. His accent adds to his charm...fortunately :-)

He's THE dude that got team Checkpoint Zero/Inov-8 off the ground in...I forget the year...back in the day.

I'd met Jon once prior to the one conversation we had about forming a team (which is all it took)...in the kitchen at HQ at the NGAR...if you don't know what that stands for you're a newbie...and we hit it off.

I'm pretty sure Jon hits it off with everyone he meets...he's that kind of guy.

Despite what you may be thinking this post is not an ode...and I don't have a man crush...there's no bromance to whisper about.

Jon stepped back from the front lines of team CP0 at the end of the 2007 season and passed the torch, but he never stopped supporting the team, encouraging me as I continue to bang my head on the proverbial AR brick wall, mentoring newbies, volunteering at races...he's an under appreciated pillar of adventure racing who's done more personally to advance the sport than most of the self-proclaimed blowhards that think they're more important than they really are...myself included.

That's what this post is about and it's long overdue.

In keeping with his character Jon recently decided that he hadn't suffered enough as of late and decided to take a second shot at the Barkley Marathon.

It didn't go well...which is irrelevant. That's how he's wired. Take a minute and read his report and be thankful he walks among us.

Props hommie!!!

PS - Jon thinks carrying water in a bladder is a sign of weakness :-)

LBL Challenge is under way

2009-04-04T10:31:00.004-04:00

This new event from Bonk Hard Racing is the second stop on in the 2009 Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing Series presented by Inov-8.

The race just got started at 9:00 am EDT. Jason and crew will be providing updates from the field including a leaderboard, photos and videos. Remember to stop by the Shout Box to drop a note to your favorite team.

2009 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge

2009-04-02T17:06:00.002-04:00

In keeping with the last two years, when early December was chosen as the ideal period, both from the point of view of athletes and organization, for adventure racing's Blue Ribbon finale, the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge will be held from the 4th to the 9th of December.

With the technical verifications due to take place the day before, most teams will be arriving on the 2nd and leaving on the 10th. 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 no doubt all will leave enriched by an event that places the pleasure of participation on a par with intense competition.

Last year's race included the innovative ADTA awards, that took some 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 shoulders with and learn from the very best.

A wise decision indeed as team DART-nuun from the USA even managed to finish well up the overall ranking in 13th place. Competing against this group of handpicked rookies were a broad range of local teams from The Emirates, the Republic of Ireland, Denmark, Switzerland, Poland and more, all racing hard in an effort to pick up one of the to ADTA Continental Rookie Prizes (2,500 USD) on offer. This "carrot" met with a resounding success as 3 of the winning rookie teams finished in the top 10 and the outstanding TEAM NZ were narrowly beaten into 2nd place. Both schemes will be maintained for 2009 with races and organizations participating in the ADTA Awards being announced in the very near future.

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. There are no blind dates, no dead ends, no outs, no disqualifications - you pay your money and you take your chance but everyone gets 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 win.

What's more, to make the race even more democratic and encourage teams to compete, despite the current economic vicissitudes, options are being explored with the aim of reducing costs for all teams. This will ensure that a race of this caliber offers a sporting challenge rather than an economic one to as broad a spectrum of teams and athletes as possible.

http://www.abudhabi-adventure.com