Adventure racing is a multi-discipline endurance sport where athletes — racing solo or in teams — navigate an unmarked course using only a map and compass, moving through a series of stages that typically include trail running, mountain biking, and paddling.

 

Unlike a triathlon, there's no marked route and no set sequence of aid stations. You and your teammates plan your own line between checkpoints, which means strategy and navigation matter as much as fitness. The team that reads the map best often beats the team that runs the fastest.

 

The core disciplines

 

Trail running and trekking — the backbone of the sport, from buffed singletrack to off-trail bushwhacking. Mountain biking — usually trail and gravel; navigation on the bike is a skill of its own. Paddling — canoe, kayak, or packraft stages on lakes and rivers. Navigation and orienteering — the defining discipline; checkpoints found with map and compass, no GPS. Ropes and special stages — longer races may include rappelling or ascending.

 

Race formats

 

Sprint (2-6 hours) — the perfect entry point for first-timers. 12 and 24 hours — a full day of racing through day and night. Multi-day and expedition (2-7+ days) — the pinnacle of the sport, racing toward the Adventure Racing World Series.

 

Do I need experience?

 

No. Sprint-distance races are designed for first-timers. You need a reasonable fitness base, a willingness to learn navigation, and teammates you trust.

 

How to start

 

Enter a sprint race (the Spring Equinox Triathlon in March at the Canmore Nordic Centre is a great winter entry point). Learn basic map and compass skills. Find your team. Train the transitions.

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Why race with us

 

Rocky Mountain Adventure Racing has been putting on grassroots, racer-first events in the Canadian Rockies since day one. Real courses, real community, and a finish line you'll remember.