A Snapshot of UK Adventure Racing

Rob Howard / 23.05.2006

So, what did the first comprehensive survey of adventure racing reveal?

Firstly, that there are more adventure racers than some would credit. Over 800 people responded to the survey and that is a response on a par with surveys by major mountain biking and running publications.

Racers are mostly single (50%), mostly male (78%), mostly 26 to 40 (64%) and mostly live in London and the South of England (46%), but that may be because thatâ€™s where most of the races are.

No surprises there but while we always thought racers were an educated lot, the figure of 80% having higher education or degree course qualifications is impressive and backed up by some high incomes and over 40% being in households with more than one vehicle.

Tri a Gym

Most of those who responded said the regularly went running, mountain biking and orienteering, but of the regular sports racers participate in outside of AR Triathlon was tops (75%) and 84% said they regularly go to a gym. This was confirmed by club membership figures, racers are not that keen on clubs it seems but 47% are gym members.

The most popular type of AR races were one, then two days events, and the level of AR experience and competition is now well and truly established as 44% said theyâ€™d been racing for 3 years or more. There is still a healthy influx of newcomers with 35% describing themselves as novices and on average a racer will expect to do 3 to 4 races per year.