Adventure Racing

The most exciting thing about an Adventure Race IS the unknown.

There is no set distance, no set course, and no race is ever the same twice. This means the training isn’t like any other race or event, and cannot be perfected in a gym or on a trail.

Our WildHare Academy has been created to help new and intermediate racers build confidence and competence the weekend of your race. But we’ve gathered a few tips from our coaches that will help you connect your training to the real thing.

Training Tips for Beginners

Mindset

FIRST, identify your goal each race. You will NOT get every checkpoint. The race directors create the course for beginners AND the elite teams.

“Don’t pack your fears.” Learn to pack what you will need, not what everyone else says you might need if….

Adventure Racers are the best community. Team up. Ask for help out there. You aren’t in this by yourself.

“Rain Delays are for Baseball.” to quote one of my favorite ads of all time. Expect the unexpected on race day.

Trail Running & Trekking

Train for distance and elevation rather than speed.

Build confidence on uneven terrain. A lot of our time racing is spent bushwhacking to a checkpoints not on trails.

Spend a lot of time on your feet, increasing your distance and duration on weekends.

Don’t be afraid to get your feet wet. Sometimes the first leg is trekking through a creek or marsh!

Mountain Biking

Race directors traditionally use the bike legs to cover distance. Train for that. There will be single-track and downhill sections, but you don’t need to train for the X-Games here.

Remember, you’ll need a way to carry your maps handy while you ride. You can mount a map board on your bars and treat it like your dashboard, or place your maps in a map case and hand those around your neck and shoulder.

Paddling

Rent a canoe and paddle with your teammate(s). Weight matters in a boat, so do stroke cadence, technique, and depth. You don’t need to be an expert to start out. But you want to enjoy the paddle sections to give your legs a rest. You don’t want to be working against your teammates the whole time.

Get a map case you can hang around your neck and one shoulder (for safety). Learn to read that map in your lap while you paddle.

“Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.” Use short, efficient strokes, keep your torso rotating, and set a simple rhythm you can hold for a long time. When you need to navigate, pause your stroke for one second to confirm your bearing and landmark, then get back to the rhythm.

Orienteering

“It doesn’t matter how fast you go, if you have no idea when you’ve arrived.” While you’re learning, don’t worry about speed. Learn to be accurate. THEN you can build speed.

Navigation is impossible to practice without doing it. Find a local Orienteering Meetup of Club nearby if you can. Scouts also host events. Survival schools and instructors will teach this skill.

Many State Parks have a “Permanent Orienteering Course” setup for you to practice. You just never notice them, because - well, they are kinda hidden : )

Transitions

This is one of those skills that is hard to master even at a pro level because every race. is different. You can’t lay it all out in a nice neat pile like a triathlon. So your best bet is to just be organized. “Know what is where.” so you can find it when you realize you need it.

Over time you can learn what systems work for you, and organize gear kits and systems for things like medical and foot care, batteries and lighting kits.

While you’re learning, just keep in mind that every minute you spend in a transition area having a snack and talking to a volunteer or teammate is time you aren’t spending on checkpoints ——— AND THAT IS OKAY. You’ll learn to get quicker here as you go.

Your Adventure Race Training Questions, Answered

Both matter, but navigation is the multiplier. Strong fitness cannot save repeated mistakes, and basic nav competence can keep a tired team moving forward. Train fitness consistently, and practice map and compass skills regularly, even in short sessions.
You can train and race solo. Start building your engine, your feet, and your navigation habits. If you can train with teammates sometimes, do it, because communication and transitions are learned skills, not vibes.
Pack early, confirm mandatory gear, then plan food so it is simple to access and easy to eat. The goal is fewer last minute decisions, and fewer surprises at check in.
Keep it simple. Comfortable shoes for time on feet, a bike you can ride confidently. You will need a quality compass and navigation tools.
Race a 4, 8, 10, or 12 hr race first, then upgrade with intent. Start with what you have, learn what actually slows you down, and only then spend money to solve a real problem.
Always follow your race director’s mandatory gear list.
A little goes a long way. Two short sessions per week focused on legs, core, and carrying strength helps with hiking, steep climbs, and moving efficiently with gear.