Also known as expedition racing, adventure racing is a team sport that combines multiple disciplines and requires navigation through unmarked wilderness courses.
The duration of these races can vary significantly, ranging from two hours to two weeks. Some events include solo competitions.
Adventure racing differs substantially from other racing events.
Adventure racing involves multiple sports, like trekking, mountain biking, kayaking, and sometimes even climbing or horseback riding, while most other races focus on a single discipline, such as running, cycling, or motorsports.
Participants in adventure racing events navigate through an unmarked wilderness course using a map and compass. GPS and smart devices are generally not permitted. This differs from most other races, where the course is clearly defined.
Although solo divisions exist, adventure racing is typically a team sport where members must stay together. This contrasts with many other races that are individual competitions.
Each adventure race is uniquely designed for the local environment, and the course is usually not revealed until the race begins. This differs from the standardized courses in other races, such as marathons and triathlons.
In adventure racing contests, racers navigate to various checkpoints, which may be optional, and are ranked on the basis of the number of checkpoints reached and the time taken. This differs from the straightforward start-to-finish format of most races.
Adventure races can last from a few hours to several days or weeks, requiring significant endurance and survival skills, while other races, like sprints or drag races, are much shorter in duration.
The roots of adventure racing are often debated. Some trace its origins to the Karrimor International Mountain Marathon, held in 1968. This two-day event required two-person teams to traverse mountainous terrain while carrying all necessary supplies. Another early influence was the Alpine Ironman in New Zealand in 1980, which combined running, paddling, and skiing. However, the first official adventure race was probably the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic in 1982, a week-long event covering 150 miles of rugged terrain.
Modern adventure racing began in 1989 with the launch of the Raid Gauloises in New Zealand by Gerald Fusil, which included all the modern elements of adventure racing, such as mixed-gender teams competing in a multi-day race that covered more than four hundred miles.
Building on the Raid Gauloises, the Southern Traverse was held in 1991. In the early 1990s, Mark Burnett brought adventure racing to the United States, promoting it as a major televised sporting event. This helped to popularize the sport, leading to the creation of several other adventure races worldwide.
Contemporary adventure racing comes in several forms, each offering unique challenges. Expedition races are the most demanding, lasting several days and covering large distances, in which teams navigate through rugged terrain using multiple modes of transportation. Elite races are for the most skilled and experienced racers, often involving the most challenging landscapes and lasting more than a day. Sport races are generally less complex but still strenuous. Racers work against a set time limit to reach as many checkpoints as possible. Sprint races are the shortest and most accessible, lasting no more than an hour and a half.
As it increases in popularity, adventure racing will continue to evolve, with race directors incorporating more disciplines and challenges to keep the sport exciting and unpredictable. Whether trekking through dense forests, biking over mountains, or paddling across rivers, adventure racing offers a unique way to test endurance, navigation skills, and teamwork.
This portion of our web guide focuses on adventure racing.
 
 
Recommended Resources
Adventure 1 (A1) is an international adventure race series coordinator that supports and promotes local, national, and international athletes, events, and race directors, delivered in collaboration with the national federation members of World Obstacle on all sports continents, including Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Founded in 2017, A1 collaborates with event producers on the A1 National Series and A1 World Cup, culminating in the World Cup Final.
https://adventure1series.com/
The Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS) is a premier competition that brings together the world's top endurance athletes to compete in adventure races worldwide. These races involve a mix of disciplines, such as navigation, trekking, mountain biking, paddling, and climbing. The series includes both 3-10-day Qualifier expeditions, leading up to an annual World Championship, as well as 12-36-hour Regional races that provide a pathway into the sport. Schedules are featured.
https://www.arworldseries.com/
Canadian Adventure Racing Association
CARA serves as the organizing body for Adventure Racing in Canada, providing insurance and event sanctioning to race directors across the country. It provides an introduction to the extreme sport of adventure racing, including its history and standard features. Upcoming races and regularly scheduled series are highlighted, along with membership benefits, member costs, and online renewals. An informational blog and an overview of CARA's services are included.
https://www.canadianadventureracing.com/
International Adventure Racing Association
The IARA was formed in 2023 to represent Adventure Racing internationally, to support the development and growth of AR representation in countries worldwide, and to define and elevate global standards. Supporting countries with national Adventure Racing organizations are listed, with links to the respective organizational websites, and the membership application process is available online. General information, contacts, books, and other resources are discussed.
https://internationaladventureracing.com/
Founded in 1997, the company has organized dozens of adventure races in the past eighteen years. Based in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, its first event was in the Nicolet National Forest of northern Wisconsin in 1999. It has since hosted events in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois, as well as in Costa Rico and Belize. Its team is introduced, upcoming events are featured on the site, and an overview of the sport and the preparation necessary are set forth, and contacts are included.
http://adventureracing.net/
Rocky Mountain Adventure Series
The RMAS is a collection of adventure races held throughout the Rocky Mountains. These races range from beginner-friendly 6-hour courses to advanced 24- and 48-hour courses. In these races, participants navigate unmarked wilderness courses via foot, bike, raft, or rope and must reach checkpoint coordinates without the use of GPS. Upcoming races are highlighted, along with results and rankings. Volunteer opportunities, contacts, and an informational blog are included.
https://rockymountainadventureseries.com/
United States Adventure Racing Association
The USARA has been the primary national organizing body of adventure racing in the United States for over twenty years. Founded in 1998, the organization has sought to advance the sport through various initiatives and programs, including sanctioned event calendars and rankings, individual mentoring for race directors, and the organization of a National Championship, with a corresponding sponsorship program for Regional Qualifiers. Membership levels are defined.
https://www.usara.com/
Initially known as ARGeorgia, Warrior Adventure Racing organizes and designs adventure racing events in various formats, such as solo or teams of from 2-4 people, as well as coeducational and same-sex categories. AR, Ultra, and Trail Runs schedules are published on the company's website, and upcoming events are detailed, with the ability to register online, and an online store sells branded apparel. Race maps, results, videos, a live race feed, partners, and an AR gear list are provided.
https://www.warriorraces.com/