Racers will experience a woodsy, watery Amazing Race-like event at the Michigan Adventure Race: Cannonsburg Edition on August 15, east of Grand Rapids. Depending on the size of large groups allowed per executive order, the race may switch to “curbside” service. As soon as racers arrive, they can grab their race number, maps, shirt and go! Registration and details at www.miadventurerace.com.
Like the popular Amazing Race on television, teams of one to four will use maps and instructions to search for hidden checkpoints. But unlike the show where participants use planes, trains and automobiles to get around, racers will travel by their own power, running/hiking, biking and paddling, finding as many checkpoints as they can within the time limit.
Racers can pick from a 4-, 7- or 12-hour race. That seems daunting, but teams find a pace that they are comfortable with – often hiking instead of running–and most checkpoints are optional. The 4-hour race does not have the paddle section. For those who have never done an adventure race or used a compass, a free compass and navigation clinic will be offered on Saturday, Aug. 1. Online resources are available for those who can’t attend (takes about 30 minutes to learn to use a compass).
Our charity partner is Camp Anew, a branch of Starlight Ministries, that provides support specifically to children and teens ages 7-17; it is a place where campers will experience the value of gathering with other children who have experienced grief.
For more information about the race and to register, go to www.miadventurerace.com and visit www.facebook.com/miadventurerace to join a growing community of adventure racers.
Posted in Arts & Entertainment, FeaturedComments Off on Amazing Race at Cannonsburg Ski Area – Curbside if Needed!
Late-stage cancer not stopping local mom and daughters from tackling yet another challenge.
The sixth annual Michigan Adventure Race: Winter Edition returns to Camp Roger in Rockford on January 28, 2017. Sara Bard and her daughters will be ready for it. Sara was diagnosed in 2013 with Stage IV Neuroendocrine cancer, the same cancer Steve Jobs had. Sara is using the race as an opportunity to enjoy time with her two daughters and the life God has given her for as long as she can – and as a way to increase awareness of neuroendocrine cancer, a rare cancer often diagnosed in late stage.
Registration is now open at www.miadventurerace.com. Last year’s race drew 430 participants, making it the largest winter adventure race in the U.S. five years running (and slipping and sliding).
Two- or three-person teams will set out running through the woods to hidden checkpoints pre-marked on a map, collecting as many points as they can within three hours. They’ll encounter Amazing Race-like challenges throughout the area along with short snowshoe and fatbike/snowbike sections. Snowshoes and fatbikes will be provided.
Newer racers find that the challenges and checkpoint hunting give them just enough of a break to catch their breath before they run or walk to the next checkpoint. Experienced adventure racers looking for a greater challenge can hunt for checkpoints far from the start/finish, requiring good map reading and basic compass skills (free clinic on January 14 or self-teach with our online tools).
“West Michigan has a culture for challenging outdoor sports like adventure racing, trail running and mountain biking that does not exist in many other areas in the nation. These races draw far more people than larger cities do to similar events,” says Mark VanTongeren, race director. “Camp Roger gives us beautiful terrain and a warm place to hang out, raffle off dozens of prizes, and eat Peppino’s pizza and Honey Creek Inn chili after the race.”
Friends, family and the general public are welcome to experience the race, although keeping up with the racers in the snow is an adventure in itself. Spectators can get copies of the race maps that will direct them to the challenges, several within easy walking distance.
The charity partner selected for this edition of the race is Camp Roger. Proceeds will fund a scholarship for kids who cannot afford summer camp. Camp Roger offers a weekly overnight summer camp experience for young people and serves 10,000 participants in the fall, winter, and spring.
The sixth annual Michigan Adventure Race: ArtPrize Edition presented by Community West Credit Union will be held October 8, 2016 in Grand Rapids. The race will weave through the massive and massively popular ArtPrize festival and feature mental and/or physical challenges, many related to the ArtPrize exhibits and venues. Part bike race, part running race and part Amazing Race, the ArtPrize Edition is believed to be the only sporting event on the planet that blends a major, world-class art festival into its race course.
Two-person teams will start off from Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids and bike or run to checkpoints pre-marked on a map—kept secret until just before the race—collecting as many points as they can within four hours. Racers will encounter Amazing Race-like challenges in popular downtown spots and out-of-the-way venues. Past challenges have included riddles that racers must solve related to art installations, a Pictionary-like challenge where one teammate had to draw a piece of art well enough for their teammate to enter an exhibit hall to identify, and a giant egg launch at a target.
“We’re excited that ArtPrize endorses this race as part of its social experiment. It’s a great way to expose people to out-of-the-way exhibits as well as to the electric atmosphere of the downtown venues,” says race director Mark VanTongeren. “Racers love getting in a great workout, experiencing a fun and challenging race with an Amazing Race feel, and seeing a good deal of ArtPrize all at the same time.”
Friends, family and the general public are welcome to experience the race. Maps and a guide provided at the start will direct people to the most entertaining challenges. It is a challenging race to follow however as racers head off in dozens of directions.
The charity partner selected for this edition of the race is the Purple Community, which gives 100 percent of funds raised in this race and all events to support biomedical research in the fight against cancer and neurodegenerative diseases at the Van Andel Institute.
For more information about the race, go to www.miadventurerace.com or www.facebook.com/MiAdventureRace/. They will also be holding the Michigan Adventure Race: Sleeping Bear Edition on September 17.
Posted in Featured, NewsComments Off on ArtPrize meets Amazing Race
Largest winter adventure race in U.S. to take place in Rockford
The Michigan Adventure Race: Winter Edition returns to Camp Roger in Rockford on February 6, 2016. Last year’s race drew 350 participants, making it the largest winter adventure race in the U.S. four years running (and slipping and sliding).
Two- or three-person teams will set out running through the woods to hidden checkpoints pre-marked on a map, collecting as many points as they can within three hours. They’ll encounter Amazing Race-like challenges throughout the area along with short snowshoe and fatbike/snowbike sections. Snowshoes and fatbikes will be provided.
Newer racers find that the challenges and checkpoint hunting give them just enough of a break to catch their breath before they run or walk to the next checkpoint. Experienced adventure racers looking for a greater challenge can try for checkpoints far from the start/finish, requiring good map reading and basic compass skills (free clinic on January 23; details on the website).
“West Michigan has a culture for challenging outdoor sports like adventure racing, trail running and mountain biking that does not exist in many other areas in the nation. These races draw far more people than larger cities do to similar events,” says Mark VanTongeren, race director. “Camp Roger gives us beautiful terrain and a warm place to hang out, get a free massage and eat pizza and chili after the race.”
Friends, family and the general public are welcome to experience the race, although keeping up with the racers in the snow is an adventure in itself. Spectators can get copies of the race maps that will direct them to the challenges, many within easy walking distance.
The charity partner selected for this edition of the race is Camp Roger. Proceeds will fund a scholarship for kids who cannot afford summer camp. Camp Roger offers a weekly overnight summer camp experience for young people and serves 10,000 participants in the fall, winter, and spring.
Largest winter adventure race in U.S. to take place in Rockford
The Michigan Adventure Race: Winter Edition will be held February 7, 2015, at Camp Roger in Rockford. Registration is now open. Last year’s race drew 300 participants, making it the largest winter adventure race in the U.S.
Two-person teams will set out at 9:30 a.m., running through the woods to hidden checkpoints pre-marked on a map, collecting as many points as they can within three hours. They’ll encounter Amazing Race-like challenges throughout the area along with short snowshoe and fatbike/snowbike sections. Snowshoes and fatbikes will be provided.
Newer racers find that the challenges and checkpoint hunting give them just enough of a break in between the running sections to catch their breath. Experienced adventure racers looking for a greater challenge will face several intermediate level orienteering checkpoints, requiring good map reading and basic compass skills (free clinic on January 31; details on the website).
“West Michigan has a culture for challenging outdoor sports like adventure racing and trail running that does not exist in many other areas in the nation. These races draw more people than Chicago, Indianapolis and other larger cities do to similar events,” says Mark VanTongeren, race director. “We always get a great turnout because of this. Racers are also looking forward to a new venue, Camp Roger, which gives us beautiful terrain and a warm place to hang, get a free massage and eat pizza after the race.
Friends, family and the general public are welcome to experience the race, although keeping up with the racers in the snow is an adventure in itself. Spectators can get copies of the race maps that will direct them to the challenges, many within easy walking distance.
The charity partner selected for this edition of the race is Camp Roger. Camp Roger offers a weekly overnight summer camp experience for young people and serves 10,000 participants in the fall, winter, and spring.
For more information about the race and to register, go to www.MiAdventureRace.com and visit www.facebook.com/MIAdventureRace to join a growing community of adventure racers.
