FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Can we use our own paddles and personal flotation devices (PFDs)?

A: Yes, but you may have to carry them during other parts of the race.

Q: What is an adventure race?

A: Adventure racing usually involves teams, although some events allow solo racers. All adventure races include navigation using a compass and maps. Most races include the three disciplines of mountain biking, trail running, and paddling, with many events incorporating climbing or rope courses. There is always an element of surprise with adventure racing since you don't know all the details until race day. Every race has a time deadline and minimum requirements to be completed in order to be a ranked team. Exceeding the allowed time always means a team is unranked even if they received more checkpoints than any other team. So, strategy is a big part of adventure racing.

Q: How do I train for an adventure race?

A: Practice the three disciplines - mountain biking, trail running, and paddling. Based on the length of the race you select, you will spend about one-third of your time practicing each discipline. To finish a six-hour race, plan to train six hours a week. Train additional hours if you want to do better in the race. Orienteering, which is reading a map and using a compass, are also an essential skill of adventure racing and must be part of your training.

Q: What do I eat and drink during an adventure race?

A: You'll need to carry enough food and water to get to the finish line of your race. The type of food depends on what you can stomach. This is something else you should practice during your training sessions. Eat the foods you'll race with while training. It's never a good idea to experiment with new foods on race day. A good rule of thumb is to consume 250 calories an hour. Typical foods of adventure racers include: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pretzels, cookies, trail mix, crackers and of course energy bars and gels. If you have a tendency to cramp, you should also consume electrolytes in drinks like Accelerade or Hammer e-caps.