2010 Adventure Races

Adventure Nuts –

Ryan Ashworth and I have been brain storming some ideas for race venues for an adventure race next year. We have limited our search to 12 to 24 Hour races within a one day drive of SLC.

Here are the options we have come up with so far:

1. AXS Moab Moab March 27th
Awesome race. May be fun to try another venue. Hard to beat though in terms of driving distance and monster rappel.
http://www.gravityplay.com/adventureracing/moab.html

2. Grizzlyman Greenough, Montana April 17th
http://grizzlymanrace.com
there will be two separate races. With finish times estimated at 8-10 hours, The GrizzlyMan Adventure Race will be a qualifier for 2010 USARA Nationals! The Black Bear Challenge will be a slightly less intense 4-6 hour course for racers interested in an introduction to adventure racing. The Black Bear will include no paddling or water navigation. Both races are sanctioned USARA events. Racers can compete solo or as 2 person teams (non-relay).


3. AXS Buena Vista Buena Vista, CO May 8th
Jason and I tried this race a couple years ago. The whitewater was AWESOME! I don’t think there is a better race in terms of kayaking whitewater. The mtn bike trail was poorly planned, but we went their first year in that venue. Hopefully they changed the bike portion. It was a very tough race with a tear jerker of a rope challenge at the end.
http://www.gravityplay.com/adventureracing/buenavista.html

4. Desert Winds Lake Mead May 8th
http://www.desertwindsadventureseries.com/desert-winds.html
This is the 4th year this race is running. Swim, trek, paddle (no bikes)

5. The Crucible Coeur D’Alene, ID June 13th
http://www.adventuresportsweek.com/main.asp?pID=129
This race looks like it is well run and has some mojo. About a 12hour drive from SLC. This one is part of a 10-day event called Adventure Sports Week. Includes Mtn Biking, Trail Running (climbing?), ropes section, “wet obstacles”, swimming, kayaking, intellectual test, and “possible fitness or skills test. Sounds pretty fun.

6. Big Blue Lake Tahoe July 31st
http://www.bigblueadventure.com/pub/main2.asp?daEvent=24&daPageName=INTRO
Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Orienteering. Click the links at the left of the webpage after going to the link to see race details, etc…

7. 120% Testosterone Killroy, WY Sept 25th (This one is funny!)
http://www.usmultisport.com/EventDetails.aspx?EventID=2089
1 mile class 3 rapids swim, 18 mile 10% grade bike, 4 mile beach run, 100 foot tree climb

8. CheckpointTracker - Check out www.CheckpointTracker.com for other race options all over the US.

There are also several races in California, but I have not included any of them due to the driving distance and time commitment. Also, please don’t assume we have exhausted the race venue options. I would love to hear of any other ideas for other races. So do your own research and email your suggestions.

Registration dates are rapidly approaching. Please take a few minutes to check out these race options (and others) and email the group with your thoughts. Feel free to forward this email and invite others.

Would anyone be interested in a lunch event to discuss the options and decide on a race?

PS Congrats to Jason Miller on his 10 hour finish in the Arizona Ironman!