adventure racing – Page 7

March 9, 2009

John Muir Trail Speed records

Reinhold Metzger’s record of 5 days 7 Hours 45 minutes without being resupplied was shattered by Michael Popov. We’ve updated our JMT information page.

Speed record

The speed record for fastpacking the John Muir Trail without resupply (as of 2007) is held by Michael Popov, who completed the trail in 4 days, 5 hours, and 25 minutes. Popov carried all of his equipment and received no outside assistance.

On August 26, 2007 Sue Johnston arrived at Happy Isles trailhead in Yosemite Valley, having run from Whitney Portal in 3 days, 20 hours. Total distance 218 miles (351 km).

Wikipedia

Popov was pushed by racing Aaron Sorensen for the record, though Aaron was forced to quit after 120mi due to foot problems.

start-mt-whitney-r

That’s Aaron Sorensen on the left, Michael Popov on the right. They posted accounts of the “race” on Southernmostrunners.com

I don’t recommend you try to best the Popov record. Take it slow. Enjoy the JMT.

March 5, 2009

10 Days, 24 Races, 1 Big Party!

The latest update on my Adventure Racing Team’s BIG event for 2009.

Adventure Sports Week is a 10 day long festival of 24 outdoor races, contests, clinics and social events taking place at Farragut State Park, 30 miles north of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, June 5—14, 2009.

The motto of this year’s event is “10 Days, 24 Races, 1 Big Party!” and the organizers and the surrounding communities are working hard to make that a reality. …

larger original – flickr

Local hospitality is only one of the things racers should expect at ASW 2009:

“We’re actually pretty pleased with how the many races are shaping up,” said event director Dave Adlard. “The
courses have all been set, and we’ve had marvelous response from celebrity and pro athletes including Ian Adamson, Mike Kloser, Rebecca Rusch, Robyn Benincasa and even Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes. I think between the festive atmosphere, great awards and gear and the amazing scenery, this is going to be one of the highlight events on the national racing calendar.”

Adventure Sports Week was also recognized in the recent National Geographic “Adventure” Magazine as one of the
top racing events in the US.

Online registration is now open at www.adventuresportsweek.com for all races.

February 11, 2009

Adventure Sports Week 2009

New website for our big Adventure Race in Idaho – AdventureSportsWeek.com

From June 5—14, 2009, Farragut State Park, located just north of beautiful Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, will host 24 different races and contests for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes of all ages and abilities!

With activities ranging from 4 & 8 hour mountain bike races to an orienteering meet, the official XTERRA Northwest Cup race, a Duathlon, 6 trail runs ranging in distance from 6k to 50 miles, five different adventure races (including one especially for kids!), a distance swim, a paddling event and many more, we’ve got something to satisfy the whole family!

Over 1000 athletes are expected to participate, and we want you to be a part of one of the USA’s largest outdoor festivals!

BestHike.com will be there.

adventure-sport-week

official website – AdventureSportsWeek.com

January 3, 2009

New Year’s FART Adventures

Sadly I did not make it out to the New Year’s Eve adventure party hosted by Dave and Lisa Adlard, in Idaho.

Many of my Adventure Racing Team were there. The outdoor activities were extreme due to the record snow fall in 2008.

snowshoe-trekking

… It was very interesting to snowshoe along trails that we run and bike so often during the rest of the year: your normal landmarks are muted, and distances are thrown off, but the snow makes everything look like a real winter wonderland!

At the edge of the park, we decided to make our way to Scout rocks, which we had been to countless times on foot, but never in four to five feet of snow! We were warned that if we continued, there were no more directional signs, and no groomed trails, which suited us perfectly, and off we went.

The trail, if you can call it that, is mostly uphill to the rocks for about 3/4 of a mile, and the fact that we were walking was more than made up for the fact that the snow laden branches were now at face level.

Once we got to the base of the rocks, we started our way up the near vertical cliff, covered in feet of snow, with crevasses, roots, and boulders hidden underneath! It was awesome! …

New Year’s FART Training!

hot-tub

December 20, 2008

Ian Adamson attending our Adventure Race

Ian’s agreed to add our new event — Adventure Week 2009 — to his busy calendar.

Ian is the most successful adventure racer of all time with six world championship wins, 15 world championship podium finishes and 14 international adventure race championship titles. He is a three time and current world record holder for endurance kayaking (262 miles in 24 hours.) Ian has competed internationally in adventure racing, canoeing, kayaking, orienteering and sailing.

Ian has been a professional adventure athlete since 1997 and currently races as co-captain of Team Nike.

IanAdamson.com

ian_k2lg

I’m planning on kicking his butt in at least one of the races.

November 23, 2008

Adventure Week 2009 on Facebook

My buddy Andy Tucker set up a Facebook page for our BIG EVENT of 2009.

Adventure Week is scheduled to take place June 5th – 14th, 2009 at Farragut State Park, just 30 miles outside of Coeur dâ€™Alene, Idaho. The jam-packed schedule will include a number of amazing races, including triathlons, mountain biking, and adventure races. There will also be orienteering competitions, mountain treks, and even disc golf tournaments.

details

November 21, 2008

Adventure Week 2009 Idaho

My buddy Dave Adlard is a master organizer of big events.

He’s putting together the biggest new Adventure Race anywhere!

Adventure Week is schedule to take place June 5th – 14th, 2009 at Farragut State Park, just 30 miles outside of Coeur d’Alene. The jam-packed schedule will include a number of amazing races, including triathlons, mountain biking, and adventure races. There will also be orienteering competitions, mountain treks, and even disc golf tournaments. And endurance athletes are not going to want to miss “The Crux and The Crucible“, two demanding and rewarding adventure races that will push teams to the limits.

The Adventure Blog

There’s truly something for everyone. Beginners. Children. Recreational outdoors enthusiasts. Even World Class endurance athletes.

Details on the official website: Adventure Week 2009. (I’m the editor.)

Or download the detailed brochure in PDF format.

Put the dates on your calendar now. It’s going to be FANTASTIC.

November 9, 2007

lightweight Dirty Girl Gaiters

My hiking buddy Mark Glaser invented “InstaGaiters” years ago. He wears modified women’s nylon stockings.

Looks like he should have patented the idea. This is similar:

From the Happy Feet blog:

Gaiters are an important for trail runners, and for that matter, hikers, adventure racers, and even walkers. They cover the top of the shoe and prevent debris from going inside the shoe. It is this debris, between the shoe and sock, which leads to hot spots and blisters. A simple pair of gaiters can help prevent problems.

For my money, I like the gaiters made by Chrissy Weiss, called Dirty Girl Gaiters. Chrissy has a lock on gaiters that make a statement. They are bold and colorful. They are in-your-face patterns that inspire. Most of the runners yesterday wore Chrissyâ€™s gaiters. They are made from soft, comfortable four-way stretch spandex unisex with gaiter hooks under the front shoe lace and secures to the back of the shoe with a self-adhesive Velcro strip. They are dirt-cheap for $13 per pair, including postage.

And, yes, guys are wearing them too. A lot of guys.

Happy Feet

Dirty Girl Gaiters – photos