Adventure racing is one of the fastest growing outdoor activities in the world. In fact, adventure racing has grown so much that college textbooks about this sport are being published for use in parks and recreation management programs, as well as physical education professional programs in universities across the United States.

The popularity of adventure racing is readily apparent through popular reality TV shows such as “The Amazing Race.”

According to Topo Adventure Sports, an adventure sports community in and around Ohio, adventure racing is a sport in which teams must navigate a course of checkpoints using various non-motorized means. Races usually are held in wilderness settings, with traditional events include mountain biking, canoeing and trekking.

Navigation is accomplished through the use of a compass and topographic maps. The route choice between checkpoints usually is not specified, meaning that teams generally are free to choose their path from one checkpoint to another. Because of this navigational aspect, successful adventure racers aren’t always the fastest and fittest teams, but the teams that minimize mistakes, navigate efficiently and make good decisions on the course.

Several adventure racing organizations in central and southern Ohio organize and promote adventure racing, including Central Ohio Adventure Racing (www.race-coar.com), Not So Fast Adventurers (www.nsfadventures.com) and Topo Adventure Sports (www.topoadventuresports.org).

There are numerous adventure races in central and southern Ohio, but a new Crooked River Adventure Race Series was established in Portage County this year and features three races as part of this series: Portage Park District’s Headwaters Adventure Race in Mantua in July, Kent Parks and Recreation’s Black Squirrel Adventure Triathlon in Kent in August and Kent State University Adventure Center’s Brady’s Leap Adventure Race in Kent in October. For more information about any of these three races, search Google by the name of each race.

While adventure races vary in length, discipline and format, the following events are the top five adventure races in the region, including Ohio and surrounding states. These top five races were recommended by Brad Lohiser of Painesville, an avid adventure racer who has competed in all lengths of adventure races in numerous states. As a seasoned adventure racer, these are his top five picks below:

 Central Ohio Adventure Racing

What: HWAR (Hueston Woods Adventure Race) 4-Hour Beginners’ Race

When: May 1

Where: Hueston Woods State Park, College Corner (near Miami University)

Why: The most popular format is the four-hour beginners’ race. This race is untimed so you can finish at your own pace. Enjoy racing in a smaller park where you can have a lot of fun and not get lost. The racing distances are shorter than in later races.

For more information: www.race-coar.com

Southern Michigan Adventure Club (SMAC)

What: SMAC AR10

When: Date TBD (SMAC AR09 was July 18)

Where: Highland Recreation Area, White Lake, Mich.

Why: Highland Recreation Area was the location of this year’s race. This location offers 5,900 acres of forest marshes and lakes. Terrain includes trails to accommodate mountain bikers and trekking, as well as several lakes. Highland Recreation Area includes all of southern Michigan’s principal forest types, including swamp cedar beech-maple forest oak-hickory as well as mixed hardwood forest. This natural resource has remained largely undisturbed and has retained its natural character.

For more information: www.smacworld.com/new

D.I.N.O. (Do Indiana Off-road)

What: MISSION 18-Hour Adventure Race

When: Date TBD (2009 race was May 16)

Where: Traditionally held in Indiana, but this year will be at Camp KYSOC/General Butler State Park, Ky.

Why: In its seventh year, the MISSION moves to a new location by crossing the border, jumping the river and heading south to Carrollton, Ky., just across the river from Madison and Vevay, Ind.
This challenging, 18-hour race fits in the gap between sprint and 24-hour racing.

For more information: www.dinoseries.com/mission.html

Flying Squirrel Adventures

What: 48-Hour Sheltowee Extreme II Adventure Race

When: Sept. 10-12

Where: Daniel Boone National Forest, Ky.

Why: Regional qualifying race for the 2010 USARA National Championships

For more information: www.sheltoweeextreme.com

American Adventure Sports

What: 25-Hour Lionheart
Adventure Race

When: Aug. 7-8

Where: Ohiopyle State Park, Pa. (start/finish and transition at Wilderness Voyageurs)

Why: U.S. Adventure Racing Association (USARA) qualifier and sixth running

For more information: americanadventuresports.com/lionheart.htm

Adventure Editor Dave Herpy is the outdoor adventure and camp coordinator for the Department of Recreational Services and adjunct faculty in the recreation, park and tourism management program at Kent State University.

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