Posted: 7/25/2007 2:45:10 PM EDT
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I met someone this weekend that is in to adventure racing. He was telling me about these adventure races. The sprint races take 8-10 hours to cover 15-20 miles. This guy was in seriously good shape. Most are multi discipline events that include; trail running, land navigation, canoeing/ kayaking, mountain biking, rope work/rock climbing, and challenge stages/team work events. The racers must be self sufficient for everything; food, water, mechanical breakdowns, basic first aid, ECT. So I immediately thought what a great way to find out if the BOB/GHB and associated plans will work. Has anyone here done this stuff? Obviously I would not be trying to win, I am too out of shape for that, I just want to use their course to trial my gear and plans. The down side is it is nearly $150.00/ person to register and most races in my area require two or more people per team. |
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Yep, I race 6-8 (always minimum 12 hour races, usually longer) races a year. Great way to work on endurance, testing gear, etc. You also learn a lot about people under stress. Not many gun types in the sport though, but some current and ex military locally. $150 is a pretty typical entry fee for anything from 8-24 hours. This fee is the tough one to swallow: primalquest Also, I don't typically race with all the stuff that I carry in a BOB. Training I use a bob, and get lots of good pack time, but racing we usually run much lighter gear, and only what we are either required to carry or we think will benefit us.. Usually we are in the top 10% of the field in a very competitive part of the country (all the current and former greats tend to live within 150 miles of me, so "local" racers have some tough company). When I'm going full bore, I train a lot, and that cuts into other activities. But I'll throw a few extra mags and some ears/glasses into my bob and ride to national forest land, practice my shooting and moving (while tired and sweaty from 3-4 hours on the bike and a 10 mile run) and then ride home. Much more realistic IMHO than driving to the range. Plus you can laugh when people talk about their 24 mag line 1 load out.. 
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The cost of entry is $12,500.00 USD per team, which includes 4 team members and 2 support individuals.  Damn thats steep and the race sold out in 12 hours. As I said I have no delusions of winning or even doing well, (somebody has to be last as the saying goes). I just thought it might be interesting to trial my gear on someone elses test. |
Yep. It's a great way to train yourself, and you will learn something about navigation each time.  Plus, you learn a lot about people. My AR friends are some great people, and although most of them are not gun people, if SHTF, I have complete trust in them; I still don't share prep details, but wouldn't hesitate to invite one of them into my house. I could teach them to shoot well enough, and they have the mobility and endurance, and experience operating in zero sleep, intense conditions. The special forces guys who can admit when they have blisters and need to stop EXCEL in the expedition races; They are truly amazing. The ones who won't admit that stopping for a blister now will save 10 hours or a race DNF don't usually last long. I've raced with a couple, and they are strong strong strong. |
I never have but given the time and money I would. Like you, not with the expectation of winning just the expectation of pushing myself to stay in shape and learn something new.(I suck bad at navigation) Also, if you have a hard time finding one or justifying $150 entry per event, go to your hometown forum here and start your own like these guys did...LINKY! Granted, their entry fee is still a bit steep but it includes the GHB/BoB mindset complete with firearms course(s). Come on...that is cool as hell right there. It would be neat to see more events like that put together for folks like us that sort of combines adventure racing with marksmanship skills. I am hoping to make the one I linked(just learned about it a coupe of days ago) If I don't make it I sure as heck hope they continue it as a fixture so I have a chance to next year too. |
I am not an SF trooper nor do I play one on TV, but from what I've been told Land nav is a big part of selection for SF school and Delta. Hergo it makes sense to me that thoes guys would do very well. The Ranger Challange on ESPN looks like an Adventure race in cammo. 
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