By KYLE ZINKULA
What is an adventure race? If you want a detailed, passionate explanation, ask Rachael Abler, CC Assistant Director of Outdoor Education, or Katherine Ruckstuhl, Colorado College’s Coordinator of Summer Programs — avid adventure race participants. According to Abler, at its core, “An adventure race is a multidiscipline outdoor triathlon with navigation and teamwork.” There are three types of adventure races; a competition that lasts a number of hours, called a “sprint”; an “adventure,” lasting a day or two; or an “expedition,” spanning two days or longer. The goal is for a team to stop at as many checkpoints as possible in the given time limit for the race. Methods of getting from location to location may include hiking, biking, paddle-boarding, climbing, or any other feasible mode of outdoor transportation.
On top of transportation and outdoor skills, a major aspect of the race concerns navigation and orienteering. The participants are expected to navigate their way from place to place, rather than follow a specific course like a typical race — they plan a route according to what they believe to be the most efficient track given their team’s skills and endurance. Such a variety of skills and activities emphasizes and necessitates this teamwork in adventure races. Teamwork helps because teammates “tire at different times and are able to encourage each other to keep going,” said Ruckstuhl. Moreover, the various skills of each individual member of a team allows one to learn from others and be successful in the race.
Abler and Ruckstuhl participated in a sprint-level adventure race last summer. Adventure race popularity has been on the rise after a sharp dip in participation during the 2008-2009 recession, and therefore finding races in which to participate has become far easier. On top of becoming increasingly accessible, the community of adventure races has a friendly and encouraging reputation, opening up races to experts and beginners alike.
Abler described an interaction during her adventure race that underscored the supportive nature of the event. Encountering another team struggling to patch a tire on one of their bikes, Abler paused her own race to lend a hand to her competitors. With Abler’s help, this team managed to patch the tire and continue on their way. Not only did Abler cite this interaction as an example of the open community of adventure races, but also an example of their educational quality. Since there are so many outdoor activities and skills involved in a race, an individual is bound to learn something new.
The knowledge she gained on her first adventure race, coupled with working with Ruckstuhl, inspired Abler to organize an adventure race for the CC community at the end of the year. Attending sessions at the Ahlberg Gear House, students can learn and practice some of the necessary skills for participating, such as navigation and biking. The Gear House has the necessary equipment, and the greater Colorado Springs area makes the perfect racecourse. With the enthusiasm and encouragement of the student body, such an idea could become a reality by Block 8.