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Adventure Racing is a form of multi sports racing that combines different skills such as climbing, paddling, mountain biking, cross-country running, and so on are all adventure games. The racing events can be an expedition that spans for over a ten-day period or a sprint which take just a couple of hours.
Racing sports
Adventure racing can be very challenging for sport persons. A unique aspect to this sport is its emphasis on teamwork rather than individual achievement. Team size ranges from two to five members or even more. It is a good opportunity for those who are into cycling, running and water sport to exercise their sporting abilities. This sport is open for both men and women.
Adventure racing types
Adventure racing can be divided into different categories and each category will have its own rules and skill requirements. Here is a look at the different categories of races held under adventure racing:
Sprint - This race can last from a small two to a longer six hours competition. People are tested for their ability and quick thinking.
12-Hour - In this race, competitors may have to perform some navigation tasks to win the race.
24-Hour - In this race, the time period for the event can go on for more than 24 hours and people have to do extensive navigation across the race course.
Multi-day - This race can go on for about 36 to 48 hours, wherein competitors have to be able to do advanced levels of navigation and may have to forgo sleep to achieve their goals.
Expedition - This is the longest of the adventure race types and can go on for a period of more than 10 days. Lots of challenges for competitors. They have to be adept in a variety of skills such a horse-back riding, paddling, mountaineering and rope work.
Adventure racing activities
As seen from the above description, adventure racing can include many activities ranging from simple Running to Paddling, Mountaineering, Swimming, Coasteering, Canyoneering and much more.
Traditional means of transport which requires the use of horses and camels is seen, but this does not mean modern vehicles such as Mountain Bikes, Kick-Scooters, and Roller Skates are left out as these are used equally. Sometimes competitors need to take to Parasailing and Hand-Gliding to traverse the course or use ropes for purpose or ascending and descending heights.
Racing Rules
Though the rules of adventure racing vary from game to game, some rules are generally applicable to all forms of adventure sports. Here is a look at what these are:
Team members must have their own sporting equipment
Competitors cannot use any motorized form for extensive travel during the race, unless specified.
Once the race has started, no help can be taken from outside. Competitors are left to their own devises to figure a way out.
Adventure racing United States
In the United States, adventure racing is governed by the United States Adventure Racing Association (USARA). They ensure that organizers and participants follow all rules with regards to sport safety and competitor's health. The USARA has set up a compliance committee, where racers can report unsafe practices and bring out information about race organizers or promoters who do not stick to the minimum safety requirements for events. If racers find any racing event which has met with exceptional safety standards, these can also be reported for the benefit of other to follow.
Famous Adventure races
Odyssey One Day Extreme
This is a 75-100 mile race, which happens every January. Competitors must be skilled in mountain biking, paddle boating, running and hiking as they will be expected to do these activities. Teams can consist of three members and the race lasts for a day-and-a-half.
Big Chill 24-Hour Race
This race happens in the first week of February and neither rain, snow, sleet nor hot sun can stop it. It is carried out irrespective of the whether conditions. Event competitors have to go through of two separate races - a 12 hour race and a 24 hour race, for this event.
Bonk Hard Racing
This race is held in winter and competitors are expected to know paddling, hiking and mountain biking. Team size can be 2, 3 or 4 members.
Toad suckers
As the name suggests this adventure race does a real challenge with competitors have to cover about 50 miles of trails? Teams consist of three members and the race can last for about 10-15 hours |
