Adventure racing around the globe
Adventure racing is a sport that is held in many different countries, and takes place over many days, involving numerous disciplines in it. An adventure race is basically one of the most exciting, difficult and enthralling sports that a person can take part
in today. It is a sport that is less about competing against other competitors, even though they are there, but it is more about competing against the elements and the course laid out before the racers. The sport today combines trekking, cycling and paddling
that the participants have to undergo in order to complete the race. It is a very difficult race but the level of difficulty makes it exciting and a challenge for most who take part in it.
Even though the exact origin of adventure racing is disputed, most sources claim that the predecessor to the sport was a race first held in 1968 called the Karrimor International Mountain Marathon. This original race had races paired up into teams of two
and carrying all the supplies they needed the teams then had to navigate mountainous terrain and cross the finish line in the fastest time possible. The modern era of adventure racing arrived with the launch of the Raid Gauloises race concept in New Zealand
by a man named Gerald Fusil. The concept of these races was that mixed gender teams would compete in multiday races consisting of 400+ miles in length across challenging terrain. In 1995 television pioneer, Mark Burnett, bought the rights of the race from
Gerald Fusil and started a televised version of the races called the ‘Eco-Challenge’. This turned out to be very popular and had all the elements of a modern adventure race. The Eco-Challenge races also saw the name adventure race, first used to describe this
type of racing.
There are many different types of adventure races held all over the world today. Because of the broad and open format of the races, this sport can feature races of different lengths; from a few hours up to 11 days, to different formats even, which can comprise
of short courses to full courses. Different format races include a wide variety of disciplines as well. Besides the three main disciplines of trekking, mountain biking and paddling through water, longer and new adventure races can have mountain climbing, windsurfing,
paragliding, horse riding and even rollerblading. The rules of the sport are very simple, because there are basically only four things that teams are not allowed to do; no motorised travel, no GPS, no outside assistance except at designated spots, and teams
must carry all their own equipment and gear. Besides these simple rules, different races can have specific rules such as completing certain tasks and tests during certain stages. The organisers also do not allow unsportsmanlike conduct, bad behaviour and protesting.
Unwritten rules are also present such as protecting the environment, while racing and not using banned drugs or medications to enhance performance.
Over the years this type of racing has become very popular. There are several reasons for this. Firstly competing in an adventure race gives people the chance to test their survival skills in the wild outdoors. Secondly people’s organisational, planning
and navigational skills come into play where they usually get no use during everyday life. The races are also a huge challenge, and give people the opportunity to engage in a very difficult and exciting competition while giving their bodies a test. Finally
adventure racing is a sport that is easily accessible to all who want to participate in it. It is the perfect sport for those that have an extreme steak in them and love the sense of adventure.
In the years to come we will see many more adventure races taking part all over the globe. Because the format of the race relies on remote locations and wild terrains, different parts of the world have perfect settings for these types of races to take place.
From racing in the Brazilian Rainforest to competing in the Himalayan Mountains, adventure racing will pop up all over the place soon. For all those with a love of adventure, this sport is the perfect avenue for them to achieve their dreams.
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