North Carolina Adventure Race Series

WHAT IS ADVENTURE RACING?

Adventure Racing is a continuous sport requiring team travel in any outdoor environment. Activities may include orienteering (with only a map and compass- no GPS!), mountain biking,trail running or hiking, canoeing or kayaking or rafting, climbing and rappelling. Races vary from 2-6 hour sprints to 8-14 hour races to 10-day expeditions throughout the world. Details are at http://www.checkpointzero.com/ and www.usara.com.

Anyone in reasonable health can complete a 4 hour or 9 hour race… you will define your goals and go for it. The most successful teams have someone who is good at navigation, and they share decision making. They like outdoor challenges. And they laugh a lot!

NCARS GENERAL INFORMATION:

Teams of 1-4will mountain bike, orienteer, run/hike, climb and paddle in rugged corners of the Charlotte metro. Teams can be coed or single gender. Each of these events is designed for you to succeed. For the 4-8 hour races, all you need is sneakers, a bicycle and a smile! The first event is a clinic and a 4 hour fun race. The next three events progress from 4-24 hours. So push yourself! Come meet people and have fun!

Benefit for:

THE 2010 SERIES:

NCARS #1 Skills clinic and 4-hour fun race. Lake Norman State Park, Troutman. April 17, 2010. Activities include canoeing, mountain biking, trail running and orienteering. $60 per person. 9:00- 4:00. Group camping available Fri and Sat.

NCARS #2 US National Whitewater Center and Catawba River, Charlotte. May 8, 2010. Activities include whitewater rafting,flat water kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, orienteering, trailrunning and special challenges. $65 per person- 4 hr, 1:-5:00; $80 per person- 8 hr. 9:-5:00

NCARS #3 Lake James State Park and Tablerock Mountain, Morganton. August 20-21, 2010. Activities include canoeing, mountainbiking, trail running, rappelling, orienteering, and special challenges. $75 per person -6 hr, 2:-8:00 pm; $95 per person- 12 hr, 8:-8:00 pm; $120 per person- 24 hr, 8:00 pm Fri,Aug 20– 8:00 pm Sat, Aug 21.

NCARS #4 US National Whitewater Center, Kings Mountain SC and Crowders Mountain, NC. October 9, 2010. Activities include whitewater rafting, flat water canoeing,mountain biking, orienteering, rappelling, and special challenges. $70 per person, 5 hr 1:-6:00 pm; $90per person, 10 hr 8:-6:00 pm

All events willhappen regardless of weather. Weather will happen. Bring more layers! It is an adventure, after all.

There are 2designs for adventure races. One is a start-to-finish design, like in triathlon. The second design is a rogaine, used in orienteering competitions. All of our races in 2010 will include a rogaine design, so that everyone starts and finishes at the same time. You and your teammates can do any number of activities during that time period. There will be too many checkpoints available. The team with the most checkpoints in that period of time is the winner. Strategy is a race element. Plus, at the end we can celebrate with stories and schwag prizes... The NCARS #3 24-hour race is a start-to-finish design. There will be a mass start and a set order of progression. The team with the most checkpoints and the fastest time is the winner.

2010 REGISTRATION:

Pre-registration is required and limited. All registrations must be received at least 7 days prior to the race date. Pre-registration is necessary at all events so that we can schedule specific activities and email you pre-race details. Minimum age is 16. Based on racer evaluations,there is NO online fee for registration. This is a benefit event, after all.

Make online registrations and payments at:

THE 2010 SERIES- DETAILS:

NCARS #1 Skills clinic and 4-hour fun race. Lake Norman State Park, Troutman. (See directions below.) April 17, 2010. Activities include canoeing, mountain biking, trail running and orienteering. $60 per person. 9:00-4:00. Group camping available Fri and Sat.

The focus of the clinic is to share the essential skills of navigation (using a compass and utms), gear, food, teammates, and techniques for success in each aspect of our sport.

A lengthy resource manual will be sent to all prior to the clinic. The reason we do this clinic at a different location than the USNWC is so that you learn the skills and practice them in a less familiar place. This day is designed for veterans and rookies. In 2006 we had one veteran who had done Primal Quest in 2003. His team was beaten by a group of 3 women from one family, with ages ranging from 16-52. In fact, they won.

We cannot require you to attend, but we can strongly encourage it. We know that you will have fun, meet some great people, and learn some skills from world class adventure racers.

In 2007 we had 61 racers and 9 support team volunteers. If possible, we will offer experienced adventure racers to shadow/ support your team during the race.

Many people have attended this clinic in 2006 or 2007 without knowing anyone, and we encouraged them to create teams for the race. It worked so well that we’re going to do it again. We encourage you to just sign up and come on out. Successful teams learn to work together. Come meet some incredible people!

NCARS #1 2010Race Course Designer: Mike Dickinson and friends

Click here to register

WHAT TO BRING:

Required individual gear: a functional bike, bike helmet,sneakers, food, a pen, layers of clothes, a smiling attitude

Recommended gear: small backpack, hydration bladder or water bottles, compass, raincoat, bike shoes, small first aid kit,extra bike repair tools, tubes, pump or CO2 cartridges, more friends

TIME LINE FOR NCARS #1:

8:00 arrival

8:30- 11:00 clinic at the Community Building, w/ handouts and mini-presentations

11:00- 11:30 team gear sort and prep

11:30 Race start w/ passports and maps

by 3:30 race finish, gear giveaway, and check out

*****************

This race is designed so that you can have a GREAT time doing exciting activities that you may never have done before.

You will get to raft with a guide down each of the channels. Then you will eddy out and find your checkpoint. Your pfd/life jacket, paddle, and helmet will be provided. Each raft will have a professional guide from the USNWC staff.

Also, you will be able to climb and be lowered down several of the rock climbing routes on the artificial climbing center. Yes of course,you will be belayed/anchored by a USNWC professional. All safety gear including helmet, harness, ropes, and hardware will be provided.

The mountain bike trails at the USNWC are the best in the Charlotte metro. You can ride them any time, and we encourage you to do so! Yes there will be a few surprises.

There are 300+ acres, so orienteering is easy to design at the USNWC. We have done races here since 2006, and local athletes always comment that they were delighted to see remote, spectacular places.

We mentioned special challenges because they exist. Some will be part of the race design. We expect that you will be surprised and delighted.

If you were to go whitewater rafting at the USNWC you would invest $35 for 90mins. If you were to go climbing at the center it would be $25. If you rent a mountain bike you would invest $25. Add it up… This is a GREAT deal! Most races are much more expensive.

The reason we opened this to anyone in teams of 1-4, coed or single gender, is because we want you to join us. However, this is a team sport. We encourage you to talk a friend or two into attending. Or set up some friendly competition within your work group, church group, neighbors… you get the picture!

There are 2 lengths, and our experience is that anyone in reasonable health can enjoy a 4-hour or 8-hour day. So go for it!

NCARS #2 2010Race Course Designer: Matt Getz,Doug Gray and friends

Click here to register

WHAT TO BRING:

Required individual gear: a functional bike, bike helmet, sneakers,food, a pen, layers of clothes, a smiling attitude .

Recommended gear: small backpack, hydration bladder or water bottles, compass, raincoat, bike shoes, small first aid kit,extra bike repair tools, tubes, pump or CO2 cartridges, extra clothes,cash for dinner/drinks, a towel for a free shower, more friends

TIMELINE FOR NCARS#2:

8:00 arrival and check in for 8-hour athletes

8:30 mandatory pre-race meeting w/ passports and maps

9:00 maps and 8-hour race start

12:00 arrival and check in for 4-hour athletes

12:30 mandatory pre-race meeting w/ passports and maps

1:00 maps and 4-hour race start

4:00 4-hour and 8-hour race finish, gear giveaway, and check out

**********************

NCARS #3 Lake James State Park and Tablerock Mountain, Morganton. August 20-21,2010. Activities include canoeing, mountain biking, trail running, rappelling, orienteering, and special challenges. $75 per person-6 hr, 2:-8:00 pm; $95 per person-12 hr, 8:-8:00 pm; $120 per person- 24 hr, 8:00 pm Fri, Aug 20– 8:00 pm Sat, Aug 21.

Event details will be sent to all registrants on Monday, August 16, 2010.

NCARS #3 2010 Race Course Designers: Ric Morton and Stan Green and friends

WHAT TO BRING:

Required individual gear: a functional bike, bike helmet,sneakers, food, a pen, layers of clothes, a smiling attitude J

Recommended gear: small backpack, hydration bladder or water bottles, compass, raincoat, bike shoes, small first aid kit,extra bike repair tools, tubes, pump or CO2 cartridges, more friends

TIMELINE FOR NCARS#3:

Click here to register

This race is designed to be the 2010 culminating event in the Charlotte area for those who want to experience a longer race and new course areas. For those who have done any of the 6-hour races described above, you should do fine on the 10 hour race. For those who haveonly done a 4-hour race, you will benefit from some training! Given the variety of activities, the day should fly by.

There will be many surprises at this race. You can expect to raft, bike, trek/run and do special challenges. All safety equipment and supervision will be provided, as at the shorter races described above. We guarantee that you will see some beautiful areas.

The reason we designed this longer race is because so many of you requested one in the 2009 evaluations. So please bring your friends. This race is open to anyone in teams of 1-4, coed or single gender. The logistics are simple. Support team members are not required. Headlamps should not be required either . By this time in the year, you should be ready for this longer adventure!

NCARS #4 2010 Race Course Designers: Stephen Morris and Shane Romig and friends

WHAT TO BRING:

Required individual gear: a functional bike, bike helmet, sneakers, food, a pen, layers of clothes, a smiling attitude .

Recommended gear: small backpack, hydration bladder or water bottles, compass, raincoat, bike shoes, small first aid kit,extra bike repair tools, tubes, pump or CO2 cartridges, more friends

TIMELINE FOR NCARS#4:

All details will be sent to registered racers on Monday, October 2, 2010

Click here to register

2006-2008 HISTORY:

There is a thriving adventure racing community in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta,GA. In the Charlotte metro there are dozens of active adventure racers, and a few years ago there was a short series in the region that turned some people on to the sport. Local clubs like www.TrailblazerAR.com inspired folks. But there was nothing organized. We have an open field, without local races or clinics.

So, in 2006 we created 2 clinics and short races. In April 2006, we went to the Anne Spring Greenway in Rock Hill. Activities included mountain biking, canoeing, and orienteering. Sponsors included Great Outdoor Provisions and Jesse Browns; they provided great schwag. The support team included Paul Irwin, Dean Taylor,Steve Deis, Bill Jordan, and Doug Gray. We had 4 exuberant racers. We joked about it. Laughed at ourselves, and continued.

Adventure racers may defy generalizations, but persistence leads to finish lines. We may not always be smart, but we will keep going.

(In June, Steve, Bill, Jennifer and Doug were distracted by the world’s premier expedition race in Moab, Utah. We finished Primal Quest 2006 in 37^th, humbled by the heat, glad to be alive. Check out www.ecoprimalquest.com)

So, in October 2006 we went to Lake Norman State Park in Troutman. Activities once again included canoeing, mountain biking,and orienteering. But we were in a new course area- unfamiliar to most racers. Sponsors provided even more great schwag. They included Great Outdoor Provisions, REI, Jesse Browns, Cool Breeze Cyclery, and Action Learning Associates. This time our support team included Steve Deis, Paul Irwin, Travey Lewis, Jeff Hazely from Coo lBreeze Cyclery, Matt Kocher, and Doug Gray. We had 20 exuberant racers. With many thanks to Casey Rineheart, Park Superintendent,and his staff, we called it good. We raised $705 for the American Diabetes Association (see photo below). Racers came from throughout NC and SC. Everyone had a great time. They wanted more events.

Photo: Starting line from the October 28,2006 Adventure Race at

Lake Norman State Park with 28 enthusiastic racers.

A smarter support team might have given up, but we decided to continue. So we decided to do a bit more in 2007…

In 2007 we created a series of three races.

NCARS #1 was on April 28, 2007 at Lake Norman State Park. We had 50 racers and 8support team volunteers who shared their wisdom. Our friends at Lake Norman State Park donated the canoes, and the new bike trail was well received. Sponsors included Cool Breeze Cyclery, Pura Vida Adventures, REI, Great Outdoor Provisions, and Jesse Brown. This event was possible because of the volunteer support team of Michael Beacham, Steve Deis, Paul Irwin, Bill Jordan, Mat Kocher, Stephen Morris,Bruce Thompson, Joe Moerschbacher from Asheville and and Doug Gray

NCARS #2 was on May 19, 2007. It was a 4-hour or 7-hour rogaine at the USNWC. We had 75 racers, and they traveled from Florida, Ohio,Georgia, Alabama, and the Carolinas. Professional photographer Kelly Owen provided some great images. The schwag was incredible-many thanks to our sponsors. Racers loved the climbing section, rafting, biking, trek/run and special tests. Here are some images….

NCARS #2 photos: May 19, 2007 just after the race start…

… rafting down the competition channel... preparing the maps…

… doing some short climbs on the largest artificial walls in theU.S…

… then biking on one of the trails… Go for it!

NCARS #3 was on October 13, 2007. It was also a 4 hour or 7 hour rogaine at the USNWC. There were 106 racers, and support team volunteers included students from Belmont Abbey College. There were 22 teams with 59racers in the 7 hour race. None found all 26 CPs. Course highlights included CP18 at the edge of a lake, 2 bonus bike OPs, and an underwater CP. First place went to soloist Corbitt Simmons. There were 14 teams with 32 racers in the 4 hour, and 3 teams found all 16 CPs. First place went to the 4-person team with Brian Schroeder,Rick Tillis, his brother NC State Representative Thom Tillis, and Scott Bruno. The schwag was outstanding- at least 25 people walked away with gear that cost more than the race entry; in other words, they made money! Racers loved the Climb-2 –Zip, rafting, flatwater,trek/run, biking and remote CPs. It was a perfect fall day and racers were pushed beyond the park boundaries.

Special thanks for 2007 goes to Steve Deis and Gerry Farris. They each checked the course, set out the CPs, and we learned to do it accurately. Go figure.

We had 231 racers, and at least 24 volunteer days in 2007. Many thanks to everyone!

NCARS 2008 BENEFIT:

The NCARS 2008 is a benefit series. That means that we depend upon volunteers to do most of the work. (To volunteer, see contacts.) And that means that 100% of our profits will be distributed between the USNWC and American Diabetes Association. See photos below.

Why them?

The American Diabetes Association needs as much support as possible. Gerry is a physician. Doug has a family history of diabetes. Obesity and lethargy are rampant in our society. We need to encourage people to be more active. Adventure racing is one way to do so!

The United States National Whitewater Center (USNWC) is a non-profit entity. Their vision includes being a center of outdoor athletic pursuits. They have invested $30 million in this facility and our region. With it's 300 acres and easy access, it is an ideal location for you, for all of us, to develop outdoor skills. They have provided tremendous support and inexpensive access to the whitewater, climbing, flat water, trails and administrative resources. We need to support them!

Additional donations are encouraged.

Benefit for:

Photo11.7.06: Doug Gray giving $705 check to Dianne Roth, Executive Director, Central Carolinas, the American Diabetes Association. Donation is 100% of profits from our 2006adventure race and clinic.

Photos 11.2.07: Doug, Troy Rutten, USNWC Marketing and NCARS registration,Gerry Farris, Lance Kinerk USNWC Marketing Director, presenting check to the USNWC. And on 12.5.07 Doug presenting $2,005 check to Dianne Roth, Executive Director, Central Carolinas. Donation is 100% of profits from our 2007 races.

DIRECTIONS:

DIRECTIONS TO NCARS#1, LAKE NORMAN STATE PARK:

From I-77 go north of Charlotte to exit 42. Turn left on state road 21 for about3.0 miles. At the brown state park sign in Troutman turn left onto 1303 Wagner Rd for about 1.0 mile. At the next brown sign, turn right onto State Park Rd for about 5 miles, turn left at the sign to the Community Building. For free group camping, we will be at group site D. Come join us on Friday and/or Saturday night.

LAKE NORMAN STATE PARK INFO:

The park open sat 8:00. Be warned: The speed limit is 25 mph and is strictly enforced. If you bring a dog it must be leashed. They have donated use of the canoes for this benefit event, so we need to be nice! If the rains prevent us from riding on the mountain bike trails, we will use roads.

DIRECTIONS TO NCARS#2,4 US NATIONAL WHITEWATER CENTER:

From I-85 west of Charlotte, head North on 485 one exit to Moores Chapel Road. Follow the signs. Park near the signs for the mountain bike area. Our race staging area will be on the grass on the southwest corner of the parking lot, on the top of the slight hill, near the pavilion with bathrooms.

2010 CONTACTS:

Race directors: Doug Gray 704.895.6479 doug@action-learning.com

or Gerry Farris at doctordanger@carolina.rr.com

webmaster Jay Anderson jay@ancoplanning.com

SPONSORS INCLUDE:

To become a sponsor contact Doug Gray at doug@action-learning.com We want to promote your products and organizations!

RESOURCES:

a. www.usara.com is the U.S. Adventure Racing Association. A great calendar. Join for $35 annually or $8 at each event.

b. www.triangle-ar-team.com has a more local calendar of adventure races,mountain biking, and trail races.

a. www.checkpointzero.com also has a great calendar and links to races.

b. www.trailblazerAR.com is based in Atlanta and has a growing chapter in Charlotte.

c. www.oarevents.com organizes 1-5 day AR’s in VA, TN and WV, has a 5-day AR clinic.

BOOKS:

a. The Complete Guide to Adventure Racing, The Insider’s Guide to the Greatest Sport on Earth, 2001, Don Mann and Kara Schaad. An excellent primer, with plenty of visuals and tips from the founder of Odyssey and PQ 2006 and 2008 Race Director.

b. Adventure Racing, 2004, Jacques Marais and Lisa de Speville. Even more glossy images from all over the world.

c. Adventure Racing, The Ultimate Guide, 2001, Liz Caldwell and Barry Siff. More text than pictures, great history and chapter on the future of AR.

d. Runner’s World Guide to Adventure Racing,2004, Ian Adamson. Witty insights into his successful approach to ARs.

e. A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to the Carolinas, 8^th edition, 2002, Bob & David Brenner. An invaluable local guide for training and when guessing local race routes.

Enough words- get out there and start training!!