New WildHare Academy Partnership for 2026!
We are super stoked to be working with Warrior Races to host our WildHare Academy, and commitment to growing our sport by supporting new and intermediate racers.
Be sure to check out their full race schedule.
The 2026 WildHare Academy will be at these Warrior Races:
March 21–22, 2026
24-Hour and 10-Hour Adventure Races
Birmingham, AL
March 27–28, 2026
24-Hour and 12-Hour Adventure Races
Kopperl, TX
October 24, 2026
13-Hour and 7-Hour Adventure Races
Ocala, FL
WildHare Academy Signup
We may or may not have SWAG for you 😉 Please let us know which race academy you plan on attending. 🙏
You can also contact us anytime and sign up for updates if you have questions, an idea, or just want to say hello.
Next Event
Oak Mountain State Park
Birmingham, AL
ACADEMY:
Friday, March 20, 2026
1pm-5pm (cst)
We will setup in the camping field just across from the race checkin and starting line.
Upcoming Event
Kopperl, Tx
ACADEMY:
Friday, March 27, 2026
1pm-5pm (cst)
We will setup in the camping field just across from the race checkin and starting line.
WildHare Academy is a free, in person pre-race clinic designed to help new and intermediate racers feel more capable and confident on race weekend. Everyone is welcome!
*** If you this is your first race, don’t be shy. You’ll be glad you came!
*** If you consider yourself an experienced racer, please stop by and share some of your favorite tips! This is how we expand our race community!
Academy Topics We’ll Cover
Welcome
Purpose of the academy.
Quick safety, AR culture & etiquette.
Mindset and expectations.
Navigation
Map & Compass: distances, attack points, handrails, catching features, cue-sheet notes.
Bike Nav: speed vs accuracy, when to stop/confirm.
Water Nav: speed and bearings across features, ferry angles, wind/current basics.
Gear Chat
Mandatory vs nice-to-have, weight tradeoffs.
Transition systems, strategy and planning.
Lay out and bin setups.
Mindset & Expectations
Mental lows, staying steady when enthusiasm fades.
Nutrition. Pacing. Comms.
Race Strategy
Pre-race: clue sheet markup, hydration/nutrition plan.
In-race: pacing bands, when to skip a CP.
Next race: debrief habits and learning loops.
Scenarios & Q&A
Pace count 50 and 100m plotted course.
Shoot a bearing and pace count 50–100m to a flagged spot.
Map management on your boat, and your bike.
Mini-scenario: It’s 3am, you’re bonking, it’s raining, you’re lost and arguing with a teammate.
If you are ready to start your training, we’ve gathered a few Training Tips for Beginners from our coaches that will help connect your training to a real race.
Coaches
Hal Riley
Founder, Coach
Eco-Challenge Competitor
Adventure Racer
I was introduced to Adventure and Expedition Racing, literally at “The Worlds Toughest Race”. Although I’ve had decades of experience in the individual disciplines, I had no idea Adventure Racing even existed.
We didn’t finish that first race, but I was hooked from our first day of training, and I've never looked back.
A couple months after returning from Fiji, I completed my first 24hr Adventure Race in Blue Ridge, Georgia. I finished 5th in the Men’s Solo division. Since then I've competed and podiumed in dozens more races of varying lengths, regions, terrains, and altitudes.
This Academy is a labor of Love.
This is a culmination of hours and hours of hard lessons learned on the course, wonderful conversations with patient mentors and racers far more experienced, and lots of trial and error on my own.
I’m proud to bring the WildHare Academy to you. But I'm even more proud when I see new racers get hooked on the sport - especially when they podium!
There is no fee for the Academy.
We are offering this at no cost, because part of our mission is to help people feel more capable and confident as they step into adventure racing.
If the session is helpful and you’d like to support the time and prep that went into it with a tip or donation – it’s always appreciated, and will go toward supporting more racers at future events.
Frequently Asked Questions
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WildHare Academy is a free, in person adventure racing skills clinic designed to help new and intermediate racers build confidence and competence on race weekend.
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This is for beginners and intermediate adventure racers, and for anyone curious about the sport who wants a clear, practical intro to navigation, gear, and race strategy.
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No. If you can show up curious and ready to learn, you belong here. We teach fundamentals and answer the questions you wish you could ask on race morning.
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No. You can absolutely attend solo. Come learn the fundamentals, ask questions, and meet other racers. If your whole team can join, that is ideal, because you will build shared systems and a shared language before race day, but it is not required.
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You can reach us anytime via our contact page, Instagram, or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.
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There is no fee for the Academy. If it helps and you want to support the time and prep with a tip or donation, it is appreciated.
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We cover adventure race culture and safety, mindset and expectations, navigation on foot, bike, and water, gear systems and transitions, nutrition and pacing, race strategy, and scenarios with Q and A.
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No! It is a great fit if you are racing that weekend. But even if you are just considering a future adventure race and want to understand what the sport involves come on out! It’s a great way to learn.
