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Adventure racing: The new triathlon • The Mustang Daily

Adventure racing: The new triathlon
By Tonya Strickland
Mustang Daily

For those who want to mix up the traditional swim, bike, run structure of a triathlon course by adding disciplines such as kayaking and secret challenges, adventure racing may be just the thing.

“Adventure racing is kind of like the new triathlon,” said Breanne Long, MBA and recreation administration graduate student and Central Coast Adventure Challenge race director, “It’s definitely an up-and-coming sport.”

Athletes of all ages and skill levels will race in teams of two on the 20-mile Central Coast Adventure Challenge course, hosted by ESPN Radio, at Santa Margarita Lake Sunday.

An adventure race is unique in that it is not a specific regime of events that participants can mentally and physically train for. It’s all a surprise until race day, Long said. Land and water will be utilized by five to eight miles of trail running and hiking, six to 12 miles of mountain biking, one to three miles of kayaking and up to five special challenges.

Ken Klis, supervising park ranger of San Luis Obispo County Parks Salinas District, said Santa Margarita Lake is one of the most attractive places around and is excited for the event because it will promote the mountain biking and kayaking opportunities the area provides.

“It's spring time beauty is unsurpassed in the county,” Klis said.

As San Luis Obispo County’s first adventure race, Yishai Horowitz, recreation administration senior and assistant race director, said the competition is a great opportunity for people in the county because it involves teamwork.

“That’s one of the best aspects of it,” Horowitz said. “It’s cool because it challenges racers to work together as well as with the environment.”
Long said the secret special challenges could come in a variety of forms. In some larger, more extreme adventure races hand gliding was among the events. Each will test the participant’s mental and physical capacity along with teamwork skills. All gear will be provided.

“In a past race, I remember teams had filled up an empty bucket with water and they could only do it with pails with five holes in the bottom,” Long said. “It’s fun like that because the challenges can be weird but still cool.”

The course will be disclosed and the secret challenges will be explained in the race manual to be handed out at 8 a.m.

“The surprise is the one of the best parts,” Long said.

There are five divisions: co-ed, male, female, collegiate and masters.