What is adventure racing?    

The greatest outdoor sport in the world.  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.Our series is designed to challenge both newbies (4 hour sport racers) and experienced racers (8-26.2 hour racers.)  Anyone who is reasonably fit should be able to finish a 4 hour race.   Details are at www.usara.com and www.checkpointtracker.com . 

1)      The 26.2 hour race, now in its 3^rd year, is established as a premier, epic race attracting nationally ranked racers.  Described by many racers as, “the most spectacular course area in the Southeast, with perfect course design from Ric Morton.”  In 2011, 40% of the racers finished the course officially.  And 100% of their post-race reviews were raving.  It is steep and dense.  The course area is vast, from Lake James to Tablerock Mountain to Wilsons Creek to Grandfather Mountain.  Check out last year’s photos and course map and passport.  Then imagine doing better in 2012.  Then train on steep hills.  For hours and hours.  With heavy packs.  Throughout the night.  In the worst weather you can find… Then train some more.  We will give you cool bumper stickers and schwag.  But you need to be ready to suffer.

2)      The 4 hour race series is designed for those who want to GO FAST.  You will be given re-plotted maps to simplify your navigation.  The logistics at the US National Whitewater Center and Lake James State Park cannot be beat.  For any triathletes or experienced racers who want to “turn on” a newbie, we encourage you to do these races.  We provide all boats, safety equipment, and a challenging course in a beautiful course area.  The 4 hour races are perfect races for families and work groups.

3)      The MYSTERY Event on June 23.  Details will be posted for 24 hours ONLY on May 23.  And that’s all we can say about that…

4)      TEAM DIABETES.  We created the NCARS series to promote awareness of healthy lifestyles and outdoor activities.    Over 30% of the American population is obese.  And for most people that is a lifestyle choice.   You can promote your race team, raise money and contribute to this 501c3 at Team Diabetes

5)      Option for Race Veterans who want to be an Adventure Race Coach.  Sign up to race for 50%.  Share your wisdom with less experienced racers- newbies- who want to learn on the run.  You must have 1) permission from the race director and 2) have finished a previous NCARS race in that course area.  We love our volunteers!

6)      Recession-resistant prices for all 2012 events.  Our short races are the same prices as in 2011.   And the value is unsurpassed.  FYI, we are all volunteers.   100% of our profits go to the American Diabetes Association and the US National Whitewater Center.  Thanks!

Why did you start this series? 

Gerry Farris is an MD and 3x all-American Ironman triathlete.  Doug Gray has finished Primal Quest 3x and Nationals 4x.  Once upon a time, while on a run in 2006, we talked about how to 1) share our love of adventure racing,  2) improve awareness of the USNWC,  3) improve outdoor activity in Charlotte, 4) support the American Diabetes Association and reduce obesity ( Doug has a family history that keeps him running.)  And so we asked our teammates if they would be willing to host a clinic.  Bill Jordan, Steve Deis, and Paul Irwin held the first clinic at the Anne Springs Greenway in 2006 with 4 enthusiastic racers.  Since then we have hosted 3-5 events each year, and 100% of the money goes to the USNWC and the American Diabetes Association.  Ours is a team sport.  Many thanks.  Let’s keep the momentum going!

Where does the money go? 

100% of the money goes to the USNWC and the American Diabetes Association.  There are photos of our contributions each year.  To date, we have contributed over $57,000.  Thank you, everyone, for your continued support! 

Who are the volunteers? 

The best people in the world.  Ours is a team sport.  Each racer needs a support team.  We need YOU to help out.  We expect ALL racers to volunteer at some point.  It is a GREAT way to learn the sport, and to meet amazing people.  Sometimes the volunteers are more enthusiastic than experienced, and that is just fine.  We need your help too!  See the Get Involved Tab, and join us at any time.  We always need help with course design, set up, registration, checkpoints, the finish, course clean up, and marketing/promoting.   In 2011 NCARS volunteers included:  Jay Anderson (web guru, TA support), Michael Beacham (ROCKK clinic instructor,  TA support), Mike Dickinson (course designer), Ric Morton (course designer, TA support), Matt Getz (2x course designer), Larry Fulcher (TA support), Linda Toth (TA support),  Shirlene Hains (TA Support), Cannon School students, Gerry Farris, Doug Gray (race director)… plus many others.  We have many special gifts for you.  We NEED you- call or email now.  Thanks.

What gear will I need to bring? 

That depends. 

For the 4 hour and 8 hour races we try to provide all the essential gear so that you have no excuses!  The motto for those races is “All you need to bring are trail shoes, a bike and a smile.”  In 2009 one racer won the 8 hour race at the USNWC without a mountain bike- he ran fast.  You get the point.  Here is what you will likely need to bring for the 4 hour and 8 hour races at the USNWC:  Required individual gear:  a functional bike, bike helmet, sneakers, food, drink, a pen, utm finder with 1:24,000 scale for the 8h race, layers of clothes, compass, watch, and a smiling attitude J   Recommended gear:  small backpack, hydration bladder or water bottles,  rain coat, bike shoes, small first aid kit, extra bike repair tools, tubes, pump or CO2 cartridges, more friends, camera, swimsuit, sunglasses, extra socks/clothes, a camera, a towel and toiletries to shower afterword… cash for a celebratory drink at the USNWC restaurant. 

For the 26.2 hour race we will not have mandatory gear checks (because we think they are patronizing and we are not policing anyone.  We must assume that you will show good judgment.)  That said, racers have asked us to provide this list:  Required Race Gear:  Individual headlight with extra batteries, Bike lights with extra batteries (on the bike legs- white front, red rear),  Cell phone wrapped in waterproof- Verizon seems to work on the ridgelines, Helmet (on the bike legs),  Food and water for the duration of the event (see TA drop details in pre race information),  Basic first aid kit , Compass, 1:24,000 UTM tool, Knife, Whistle, Glow sticks for the paddling phase, Gear boxes or large duffle bags for each transition area  Recommended gear: Appropriate clothing for all weather conditions, Waterproof map case or clear shelf paper, Water purification method, a backpack to carry mandatory gear,  Spare bike tube, method of tire/tube inflation and bike repair kit,  Trekking shoes (really, do not forget these J )  Recommended camping gear:  Tent, sleeping bag, chairs, stove, food, drink, cooler, libations, lantern, etc

Will I finish a 4 hour or 8 hour race?    

Frankly, we do not know.  We have learned that almost everyone in reasonable health can complete a 4 hour or 8 hour race.  There is so much variety, that you will use different muscles.  You will need to strategize, which may mean slowing down or stopping to study a map.  The most successful teams define similar goals (such as “to finish” or “to win.”)  The best teams have someone who is good at navigation, and they share decision making.  For instance, you may assign roles with a 1) lead navigator who has the big picture view,  2) a secondary navigator with a tactical view of the map, 3) a team captain who keeps everyone in good spirits, 4) a mule/brute who carries the heavy objects when you need to redistribute pack weight (especially on longer races.)  Everyone is a cheerleader. Everyone needs to love outdoor challenges.  And on the best teams, everyone is within arm’s reach at all times during the race.  And they laugh a lot! 

Will I finish the 26.2 hour race? 

Frankly, we doubt it.  In 2010 there was only a 12% finishing rate and that race attracted some of the best teams in the U.S.  They were hindered by over 3” of steady rain which made the single track and map reading a challenge.  But that is the nature of our sport.  The course area will require that you have experience with 1) night navigation, 2) each course element, 3) great navigation skills, 4) great teamwork so that you strategize while on the run, and 5) superb physical conditioning on the hills.  They are steep.

How can I be faster? 

Train hard, with your teammates.  There is no other substitute.  Minimize objective risks, such as bike mechanicals, by making sure that everyone has maintained their bikes.  Practice all course elements.  Train using your race gear.  Attend the ROCCK clinic described on our Get Involved Tab. 

Join our mailing list and we will provide a free download of an Adventure Racing Training Spreadsheet that Bill Jordan developed for Primal Quest Utah, in 2008, when we raced there.  It is sport specific, and tallies your activities by month, activity, calories, body fat %, time, mileage, etc.   There is no better training tool for you and your teammates.

How can I find good teammates?

         Invite your friends to any training event.  Keep it fun, then push each other more and more.  Select people with different skills; for instance if you are not a great paddler, attend a local canoe or kayak race and ask the fastest paddlers if they would be willing to train with you.  Finish an AR and give business cards to those who finished just ahead of you, or who seem to be having fun, or who live nearby.  Then train with them.  Use the message board at www.TrailblazerAR.com   Find the fun, fast people. 

Where can I learn about other races?

        There are several good calendars.  We recommend www.checkpointtracker.com, www.trailblazerAR.com, www.usara.com, in that order.