Legendary Adventure Races

The following expedition-length races are no way for a beginner to be initiated into adventure racing. But if your blood starts pumping just reading about these incredible physical challenges, it's a good sign that adventure racing is the sport for you. You may someday cross the finish line of one of these legendary adventure races, or one like them.

 

The Eco-Challenge: This was probably the most famous of the original adventure races, since it was also a televised event. The first Eco-Challenge took place in Utah in 1995. The last was in Fiji in 2002. Eco-Challenge racers competed in teams of four to cover 300 miles, by some combination of running, trekking, mountain biking, horseback riding, whitewater canoeing, scuba diving and mountaineering.

 

Primal Quest: Primal Quest claims to be the world's toughest expedition adventure race, and I'm not disputing it. It takes place over the course of ten days, in some of the most rugged and unforgiving landscapes in the world. Teams of four cross an unbelievable 500 miles by trekking, mountaineering, horseback riding, canyoneering, mountain biking, whitewater swimming, and/or paddling. The 2006 Primal Quest will begin in Utah, but parts of the course may include Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, and/or Wyoming.

The Wild Onion: The Wild Onion was a 24-hour team adventure race, covering between 100 and 125 miles within a major American city. Every year, the race course was unique, with events playing up on the unique features of each city. Activities over the years included canoeing, kayaking, in-line skating, cycling, running, scooter travel, stair climbing, and rappelling. Though it was one of the top six adventure races in the world, the Wild Onion has not been held since 2003. However, a shorter urban adventure race, the Wild Scallion, has drawn crowds of competitors, and will be held in 2006 in Chicago.