Meet the Race Director: Grant Killian & Untamed New England Adventure Race

1. How did you get into adventure race production?

I raced for a few years, and became disappointed by the quality of some other events. There would be no navigation, or poor attention to details, or just not a good value for money.  I told myself: "Jeez, even I can do better than this!" and it turns out I was right :) It turned out making a high quality race a reality was another fun way to enjoy the outdoors, our friends, etc.

2. What are the biggest challenges you face as a RD in your area? 

There's the normal issue with permits and sponsors -- the US is at a big disadvantage in this regard versus many other countries. Personally, the toughest challenge is time management and making time to enjoy family and other things in life ALONG WITH adventure racing. It's a sport that demands a lot of attention.

3. What can participants expect...that you're willing to share?

For the 2014 edition of Untamed New England, I'll give you a NAARS scoop: this race course is enormous, physically the largest we've ever done with big cross-country legs in every discipline. Big paddles combining many waterways; big treks combining mountain summits with lots of navigation and strategy; big bike legs -- the first bike leg is around 75 miles, I think, and if you consider a map of Maine and imagine where you could be after 75 miles, your jaw drops. The course is split into 5 distinct legs and each "leg" is an adventure race in itself. One "leg" combines paddling, biking, and trekking, another combines paddling and biking, another is trekking and packrafting, and then there's the "kitchen sink" leg that folds together biking, trekking, whitewater rafting, and packrafting into a single "leg."


4. What is the biggest change from last year's race?

The biggest change this year vs our previous expedition is that for 2014 it's no-holds-barred. Have you seen our race roster? We have a dynamite international field and fully 10 teams could compete for the top 10 positions in the AR World Championships, so we set a course worthy of the challenge. In 2012 we set a high bar in terms of epic sections with lots of strategy and challenge; for 2014, we've built on that to push the envelope. In 2012, there were professional guides in the whitewater boats; in 2014, we're going to see how teams handle smaller whitewater rafts in a self-guided manner (Raid in France did this quite successfully a couple years ago, and I think teams will love it). In 2012, the race course had 3 mountain summits; in 2014, there are 7. In 2012, we had a collection of 12 race maps that were 11x17 in size; in 2014, to encompass the full area, we've got multiple sets of large maps that teams will use to navigate to the finish line. I think 2014 will, succinctly, set a new standard for us in terms of rugged cross-country traverse race courses.

5. What advice do you have for training or just from general experience in the AR world?

If you are serious about big multi-day races, and by "serious" I mean you want to go and compete at your best (whatever that means for you), you need to shift your whole thinking when it comes to "training" but always recognize that this is supposed to be fun. Find ways to incorporate being active into your normal routine. By this I mean consider running the 4 miles to and from the gym instead of driving there and back (and that will add an hour or two to your workout); don't drive to the grocery store if you can ride your bike instead, and get practice hauling a load back in the form of all your groceries; sit on an exercise ball at your desk instead of a conventional chair; when you're paddling your kayak, take the seat back support OUT so your core gets more exercise stabilizing your body when you paddle; when going for a trail run, intentionally leave the trail and work in some bushwhacking and travel over uneven terrain. These are all specific examples of how to make your exercise more intense or to incorporate more fitness into your daily routine. You need to incorporate being active as a way of life, not just something you do between 6 and 7:30 PM on weeknights.

Learn more about Untamed New England Adventure Race and how to follow the event as it goes on!

Meed The RD: Ronny Angell and the Blue Ridge Bear Fix

1. How did you get into adventure race production?

I was an adventure racer for 6 years, mainly racing Odyssey Adventure Racingevents and through those years I was volunteering at all of their events I wasn't racing and eventually came on as a staff member. In 2004 Don Mann approached 2 other couples and my partner and me as asked if we would be interested in buying Odyssey. I had been a welder for 20 years up to that point and was debt free for two weeks! I was like what an opportunity to do what I love and continue creating events that changed my life. So we bought Odyssey and I was SO lucky to have Joy Marr stay on my staff and teach me ever thing she knew about adventure racing design and production. Through the pass 9 years of race production,producing over 150 events, I have learned  a lot long the way and  I have made some mistakes!!

2. What are the biggest challenges you face as a RD in your area? 

Finding new areas to produce races. I like to show racers new places that hasn't been seen before. The challenge is connecting all the beautiful areas I know with out crossing private land and/or long paved road sections. Most of the land owner are good about giving us access but it can be challenging to track them down. I love single track mt. biking and finding miles of it to add to a race can be tough at times.

3. What can participants expect...that you're willing to share? 

Well I like to show case the areas natural beauty the best can. So at times that beauty requires people to go up! So elevation gain and loss is very common in our events and I like to structure the race so the racers really have to think and strategy so it's not all about who's the best athletes. At times I am limited with my permits where I can and can not go so I have to require teams to go a certain way or route, but I try to work around that the best I can to give the racers options.

4. What is the biggest change from last year's race? 
Probably it would be, not so much biking dominate (Did I mention I love biking) and more trekking sections with challenging off road navigation(most favorite next to biking). I'm sure racers will encounter a long trek or two.

5. What advice do you have for training or just from general experience in the AR world? 

Try to be well rounded in all your disciples. Train your weakness and maintain your strengths. Dial in your nutrition before race day and have food variety! Mental toughness and adaptability are your biggest assets. Build your team around personalities first and skill and athletic ability second. It will create a better race experience for everyone. Once everyone is tried, true personalities come out and sometimes that can't be worked through were if you are a good team that works good together and communicates well you can over come athletic ability. Everyone at some point will be a Rock Star and a groupie. Last would be ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE! STOP AND "SMELL THE ROSES" from time to time!

Learn more about the Odyssey Blue Ridge Bear Fix in 2014 below!

http://www.oarevents.com/events/2014/Odyssey_Blue_Ridge_Bear_FIX_2014.shtml

Expeiditon Idaho: New to the NAARS

Expedition Idaho will be held August 10, 2014!

Expedition Idaho first event was in 2011, and was hailed as one of the best expedition length races ever, with perhaps the greatest finish in Adventure Racing history. We really focus on the details, and on making the event as racer-friendly as we possibly can. This makes our race production very unique and different then others, also, we go above and beyond to do things like have hat food at the TAs, getting their gear where it needs to be on time, great swag/ awards and more.

This is going to be an outstanding, epic expedition over some of the most amazing territory in the world. Also, teams for this year's Expld get first dibs at slots for next year's Expedition Alaska, which is shaping up to be perhaps the greatest race in Adventure Racing history.

There are so many awesome terrain features in our state, such as the untracted mountain wilderness, rivers, lakes ect. There is no comparison to mudder events to adventure racing. True adventure racing is loner races and is a true test of every aspect of an athlete, including teamwork. Adventure racing is not only fun but it can be life changing to people.  

This years course will be completely different then previously, aside from the start/finish. Advice for first time racers, practice your perseverance, and realize that perpetual forward movement will get you where you need to go.This will be an epic adventure you will remember for your lifetime.

Expedition Idaho 2014, mandatory gear is highly recommended to bring with you. Expedition Idaho is a 500+ mile, 7 days “Human Powered” multi-sport adventure race through the mountains, lakes and wilds of North Idaho’s beautiful panhandle. It features what many say is the finest finish line experience in the world, as well as many more extras that are above and beyond what one would find or expect in other races. It features, trekking, kayaking on various bodies of water, mountain biking, ropes work and more as the athletes navigate by map and compass over some of Idaho’s most remote and beautiful terrain.

Weather: Usually hot and dry, but as with any weather in North Idaho mountains, “Mixed” would be a fair way to describe it… you will experience everything from heat to cold, to rain, to wind to snow… Snow?  Yes, if this is a “normal” winter, you WILL likely encounter some snow, though it shouldn't be significant enough to really make a dent in your progress. No snow gear required at this time.

NAARS 2014 Series Update

Hello Everyone,

I hope this finds you all doing well and in good spirits. We would like to thank all of you for your support in building such positive energy  for the sport of adventure racing in 2013. It is hard to believe that the The Maya Mountain Adventure Challenge is only a few short months away, and we will soon be starting another season of the NAARS. We have already seen an increased interest in race inclusion for 2014 from across the U.S. thanks to all of us working together.  Our crew is excited for yet another year and the opportunity to  learn and grow. The 90 minute Docu-Adventure following TeamSOG in the 2012 Season will be airing around the Holiday season on NBC Universal Sports. We will provide more information on dates and airtimes as the air date approaches.

Some of the major subjects that have been thrown around by different RDs that we feel are directly relevant to our sport are:

A.      Having a non-profit governing body. USA triathlon, USA Cycling and  USA Running have all been directly responsible for the unprecedented growth of their sports. USA Triathlon has seen a 300% growth over the last decade. It is imperative that any governing body for our sport be NON-Profit.

B.      GPS?! Everyone has it, it is nearly impossible to officiate its use or (non-use), and it brings a map to your device.

NAARS would like to facilitate a chat session among Race Directors on this and other subjects in late November. If you would like to participate or if you have suggestions that you feel would help our sport continue to grow, please let us know by emailing info@americanadventuresports.com to provide you a date, time, and invite to the chat room.

From a logistics stand point, Gnarly Crew Media has rebuilt the NAARS website for 2014 in hopes of making it cleaner, the results submission process more streamlined, and make the rankings easily accessible for racers. Basically, we think it’s a lot better and welcome any feedback for improvements that we can make upon the platform prior to our series' start in March of 2014. As always we will be trying to get SWAG out as quickly as possible this season with the hopes that our sponsors provide the items upon schedule.

 With the addition of new sponsors already, we have been enabled to offer the Regional Championship races over $5,000 worth of gear including a bike rack from the folks at Kuat and a $300 certificate for the winning coed elite team to use towards the 2014 Championship produced in the Badlands, ND  by Andy Magness of ENDAR. Prestige and Prime race inclusion will both still be available as well with the same premise as last year. You can review all the perks of each sanctioning level under to Directors page on the new site. The race addition process for the calendar is now open along with the new race results submission form. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns, we look forward to working with all of you again in 2014 and hope to see you in Belize racing or volunteering. Please contact Doug at doug@americanadventuresports.com if you are interested he can help/hook you up with pricing for traveling and/or competing.

Best Regards,

Ashley Reefer

Director of Business Development

American Adventure Sports

ashleyreefer@americanadventuresports.com

Kuat joins NAARS for the 2014 AR season

The North American Adventure Racing Series (NAARS) is embarking on its second year with the International Series Championship the Maya Mountain Adventure Challenge just around the corner in February of 2014. The NAARS Maya Mountain Adventure Challenge has attracted teams from Denmark to Brazil and has stolen coverage from the AR World Series championship by blogger extraordinaire/AR enthusiast Gear Junkie.

NAARS is thrilled to announce the recent acquisition of partnership between the platform and Küat (koo-at) bicycle rack and accessory company. Küat will be providing six of their racks for each of the Regional Championships in the U.S. and Canada and one for the 2014 Legendary North Dakota Series Championship up to a $3,300 value, pro-deal cards for Prestige Race Winners and the American Adventure Sports Adventure Racing Team.

About Küat: The Küat team embraces style and substance equally, but doesn’t stop there. With each product, they strive to improve the look and functionality, and then find ways to exceed expectations through innovative features and impeccable detailing. Leading the industry in innovation and design the company produces the best hitch rack on the market the NV including a rear ratchet system, hitch lock, integrated cable lock, and a built-in repair stand for pre-ride prep or post-ride cleanup- a fully loaded stunner. The company also delivers at the same high standards for roof rack lovers with the Trio system featuring the 3 Way™ fork mount system, the TRIO can handle any bike you own. Top that off with a slim line design, security system, and rugged good looks and you have the most complete fork mount rack ever designed.

About NAARS: The North American Adventure Racing Series was launched in 2012 as a way to expand our former platform The East Coast Adventure Racing Series. NAARS is a series of 50 international adventure races ranging from Canada to Belize. We pride ourselves in having the largest prize purse of any Adventure Racing Series in the World. Races are sanctioned three ways Prestige, Prime and Basic. These designate how much gear and ranking points that will be up for grabs at each event for participants.  The series Championship The Maya Mountain Adventure Challenge will be in February of 2014, get ready

2014 NAARS Championship Race Location Announced

The North American Adventure Racing Series (NAARS) is proud to announce that the 2014 North American Adventure Racing Series National Championship will be produced by Race Director Andy Magnus of ENDRacing in North Dakota. This Legendary Adventure Race will be a 30 to 36 hour test of fortitude in the Badland’s, North Dakota, featuring some of America’s most breathtaking landscapes. Andy and his ENDRacing team joined the North American Adventure Racing Series with the inclusion of multiple races in the 2013 season. The END racing team is committed to bringing serious adventure racing to the Great Plains. The small organization is made up of some of the best racers in the USA, and brings their wealth of knowledge to designing amazing courses. The END (Extreme North Dakota) concept began with the hosting of North Dakota's first ever Adventure Race back in 2007.

The 2014 North American Adventure Racing Series will include 80 races from coast to coast in the U.S. along with a collection of races in Canada. The platform will include Regional Championships in Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Midwest, West, and Canada. NAARS is currently accepting bids for each of the Regional Championships for the 2014 season. Series Founder Doug Crytzer says he is “Thrilled to be working with Andy and his organization to offer adventure racers a National Championship in a location that will challenge and “wow” participants with its beauty and terrain.”

View some of the amazing pictures provided by ENDRacing of the Badlands Terrain:

                   

Meet the RD: 180 Adventure

Organization: 180 Adventure

Race: Stubborn Mule Adventure Race – 30-Hr

Race Director: Paula Waite

Tomahawk, Wisconsin – June 9, 2013 – What's tougher than a Muddy Buddy and more fun than a Tough Mudder? How about 30 hours of non-stop biking, running, and paddling with only a map, compass, and your team's wits to guide you?!

The Stubborn Mule Adventure Race will test competitors' mettle as they hunt for hidden checkpoints around the county. “Teams will cover from 50 to over 100 miles, entirely under their own power,” says Paula Waite, race director and course designer for 180 Adventure. Those competing in the 30-hour expedition event will race through the night – fighting the “sleep monsters” while navigating the north woods terrain in the dark. Racers in the 12-hour event may not have to fight to stay awake through their race, but it isn't a walk in the park either. “Success in adventure racing is not just about being the fastest bikers, runners and paddlers. To win, teammates must work well together and choose their routes carefully.” GPS devices are not allowed; teams must rely on their own skills to find their way.

Stubborn Mule is expected to draw over 150 participants. “We have a great mix: many brand new, never-raced-before teams all the way up to teams who've competed on the national level. We have folks coming in from more than a dozen states and even have an international team flying in”. The race begins at 6 a.m., Saturday, June 29 in a to-be-announced location near Tomahawk. Why so secret? Part of the challenge of adventure racing is route-finding and quick decision making. Teams won't know the starting location until one week prior to race day, and they find out where they are headed until they receive their maps at the starting line. At that point they must plan and chart their routes all under the pressure of the ticking clock.

How did you get into adventure race production?

Midwest adventure racers lost two Wisconsin-based race organizations about 5-6 years ago which meant 3-4 fewer races in the state each year. I had been racing since 2000, loved the sport and the AR family, and was always intrigued by the idea of hosting an adventure race. Ok, maybe I was a little obsessed... The decline in races worried me and there were rumblings in the local AR community that the sport was dying. To me, it meant somebody needed to step up and keep the sport alive and well. That is when 180 Adventure and Stubborn Mule were born. As we enter our 4th season of AR production, I still am obsessed, though I like to call it passionate!

What are the biggest challenges you face as an RD in your area?

The biggest challenge? Keeping the race course size manageable! There are so many beautiful spots here that it is difficult not to overextend by trying to fit them all into each event. When I'm struggling to figure out how to incorporate a fantastic paddle section into the race, for example, I have to keep telling myself, save some of it for next year!

On a more serious note, I think a challenge for our sport as whole is awareness and involvement among the masses. Everyone knows what a mud run is, but when I mention “adventure racing” to most people, I receive a puzzled look. Muddy Buddy can generate so much revenue while adventure races struggle to make ends meet, much less share some of those funds with a charity as much as we'd like to. Why? One of the issues for me, and maybe for all of us, is answering that question. Or maybe first, do we want to be bigger?

What can participants expect...that you're willing to share?

We do like to be secret about our courses don't we? This year, I've seen more wildlife than ever when working on the course – bears, porcupines, and eagles! We are really taking teams into some pristine locations at Stubborn Mule. Expect challenging topography, scenic paddling, epic mountain biking and the best volunteer crew around!

What is the biggest change from last year's race?

Every year we work to tune the race and our operations to be the best they can be. We survey racers after every event and take their feedback very seriously. Last year we heard from several teams that the 2012 Mule was “the best race ever”. I'm not sure how much we want to change from that!

Actually, one big change is around our series involvement. We are VERY excited to partner with NAARS which means we are bringing an incredibly generous prize package to the racers this year – there will be far more on the prize table than ever before!

5. What advice do you have for training or just from general experience in the AR world?

Adventure racing is a roller coaster. Enjoy the ride!