What even is this sport?
Below we will cover the definition of the sport and the components and I will link you to some sites that show the sport and describe it way better than I ever could.
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But here is something you should consider... It's [Adventure] [Racing]. Two very clear and specific components in the name set the sport apart in my opinion.
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Adventure - Many participants are treating this like a self guided tour through the woods. Paddle, Hike, and Bike your way through an unforgettable Saturday.
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Race - At it's core of course, this is competitive against others in that someone will win. It will be as physically demanding as a team wants to push it to be to win.
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Maybe this experience will be one of these, maybe it will be both for you. The formula of how to combine these is up to you. The course is up to you! That's the real magic of the sport for me. That it can be so many things for so many people at the same time in the same place.
Straight from the Wisconsin Adventure Racing Homepage:
(Why re-invent the wheel, right?)
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"Adventure racing is an off-road multidisciplinary sport that involves biking, paddling, running/trekking, and other special challenges, all while navigating with a map and compass (GPS is not allowed). It is a team sport in which groups of 2-4 racers must stick together for the duration of the entire event and cross the finish line together. While some races do allow soloists, the premier division is usually comprised of 3-4 person mixed gender teams.
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Every race course is different. Teams might do each discipline multiple times throughout a race and the order in which they are required to do them varies from race to race. Most often the official race course is kept a secret until the day of the race, when racers arrive and are given maps detailing the locations (check points) they must navigate to, how they must find them, and the order of disciplines throughout the event.
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Races are measured in hours instead of miles, as the exact route each team takes will be different depending on their navigation. In order to win, a team must reach the most check points in the shortest amount of time, however, some race courses are designed so that no team will be able to obtain all of the check points and all teams will be racing the full duration of the allotted time. Shorter “sprint” adventure races can last anywhere from a few hours up to 24-48 hours of continuous racing, usually without sleep. Longer “expedition” length races are typically 3-7 days of non-stop “on the clock” racing, and it is here that sleep strategy becomes crucial.
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Adventure racing is unique in that racers must be proficient in may different disciplines, and strength and speed are not the only factors determining the race outcome. Elements of strategy, navigation, route choice, outdoor survival skills, knowledge of local terrain, and teamwork are equally important. Adventure racers are a unique group of people in that the fiercest competitors are often very close friends. The adventure racing community is both welcoming and supportive, and you’ll often find more experienced racers helping new teams out both on and off the race course. It truly is the greatest sport in the world, and an experience that will generate stories and memories that last a lifetime!"