Adventure Racing

 Adventures races are ultra-endurance races that cover a variety of distances, durations and terrain.

They typically range from 1 to 10 days and require navigation and choice of route. This fact sheet will only cover races over 24 hours' duration which are mostly team-based events.  The events are usually 'continuous' and all adventure races include more than one discipline, commonly trail-running, off-trail trekking, mountain-biking and kayaking or canoeing. They require an ability to negotiate varied terrain such as caves, cliffs, snow, ice and/or rivers and thus may also include other disciplines such as white water rafting, coasteering, horse riding, rock climbing or abseiling. Weather conditions, water availability and "dark zones" (mostly white water sections out of bounds in designated night period) are often a major consideration. Participants may have a support crew or may have to carry their own supplies including food, fluids, tents and clothing. Due to the amount of variation between events it is important to research event requirements; most races will have websites containing such information. Athletes in these races range from those who are well seasoned and highly trained to recreational athletes who enter to enjoy or complete the event. This is one of the few sports where the elite line up with everyone else at the starting line.

Adventure races are popular around the world in New Zealand and the United States and are gaining popularity in Australia. The extreme physiological demands place large strains on the body in preparation for, and during the race itself. This is predominantly due to the high usage of protein, and carbohydrate for fuel. As the race cycle is all year round most competitors will limit themselves to a few key races per year and should cycle their training programs to include sufficient recovery. An example event is the Southern Traverse.

Issues covered in the fact sheet 

• As a result of increasing training distance, time for effective eating and meeting increased nutrition requirements is challenging.
• Carbohydrate requirements are high for Adventure Racing as this is the main fuel for endurance activities. 
• Protein requirements are also heightened to meet daily protein turnover needs, assist in muscular repair and in part supplement energy intake.  
• Athletes should also enjoy a high intake of fruit and vegetables as it is important to maintain a high intake of vitamins and minerals and other functional nutrients such as phytoestrogens and antioxidants. A high fibre intake prior to racing or competing, however, can have potential side effects.
• Nutrition intake should always be adapted to current requirements, and may need to be altered when injuries occur.
• Other challenges facing these athletes are maintaining hydration throughout the event, and also the issue of lugguge weight for athletes required to carry their own food.

Click here to download the  Adventure Racing fact sheet (364KB)

Authors

Many thanks to our international SDA New Zealand members for their contributions and to, NZ Sports Dietitian, Kristen Mackenzie for coordinating the development of this article. (2007)