Kyle Peter at the Nicaragua Survival Run

Kyle Peter (Adventure Medical Kits) / 02.02.2016

Kyle Peter of Team Adventure Medical Kits is currently at the Nicaragua Survival Run, a departure from his regular adventure racing - this time he's on his own and with some very different challenges ahead. We asked him about the race and what lay ahead. Here's what he had to say;

The Nicaragua Survival Run is organized by Fuego y Agua is a challenging 80k run on the island of Ometepe in Nicaragua.  When I was looking into the race, I understood that part, but the survival aspect comes from the various challenges that are presented throughout the 80 kilometers. The island is quite small but hosts 2 volcanoes that we will for sure be climbing.  One at 3,000 meters and one at 2,000 meters. 

The main differentiation that I see between the Survival Run’s challenges and the typical obstacle course run’s is that the ones I will be faced with in Nico will be extremely difficult (no cargo nets or greased walls to scale).  I mean when was the last time a machete was on the compulsory gear list for a Tough Mudder?

·         Swimming 1-2 miles at a time

·         Carrying loads of firewood, bananas, sand, water of up to 50 lbs for miles 

·         Running miles with a live chicken

·         Diving in a well to retrieve heavy stones

·         Tree climbing

·         Bamboo pole harvesting

·         Trail clearing

·         Spear throwing

All of the challenges will be based off of what local people do on a daily basis to survive.  I am guessing there is no McDonald’s on this island.  The other shocking fact and a main pull for bringing me to the event is the 6% finish rate this race was seen over its previous 3 editions.  Yikes!  I know I am in trouble because I have thoughts like “this can’t be any worse than the Pantanal”, “80k in 24 hours…easy”, “how hard can it be".

Coming from the ARWS circuit I believe I will have a major leg up on my competition.  The distance or length will not be a challenge for me.  24 hours?  That is one leg of an expedition race.  Also the ability to adapt and overcome challenges that are designed can't be anywhere near the challenges faced in middle of expeditions.

4 medals are earned throughout the event.  Once all 4 are collected it will read 'I DID NOT FAIL'.  Fall short you you can receive 'FAIL' or better 'I FAIL' or even better 'I DID FAIL'.

I am looking forward to racing solo.  Yes, it will be an added challenge as I will have no one to bounce ideas off of and no one to keep my pace in check.  I will have to do all of that myself.  But I am looking forward to it and should hav a blast with none of the extra pressures that AR presents.  

The packing for one was way easier than prepping for multi-sport, multi-day expedition events.  I gather up my belongings in the hours before I left for my flight!  Though there is a required gear list it pails in comparison to the ARWS mandatory gear list...

1. Adventure Travel Insurance Policy
2. 1000 Nicaraguan Cordobas in small bills
3. Water Carrier for at least 2L
4. 100ft of Paracord (550 cord)
5. Survival Blanket or Bivvy SURVIVE OUTDOORS LONGER® ESCAPE LITE™ BIVVY 
6. First Aid Survival Kit ADVENTURE MEDICAL KITS ULTRALIGHT & WATERTIGHT .7 
7. Water Purifier LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
8. Long Sleeve shirt or Jacket
9. Plenty of Food and Water!
10. Electrolytes
11. TWO Glowsticks
12. TWO headlamps
13. Extra Batteries
14. Sharp Machete
15. TWO Large Grain Sack

You can find out more about the race at http://fuegoyagua.org/survival-run-nicaragua/ and there is some live coverage at http://www.mudrunguide.com/fuego-agua-survival-run-official-coverage/ 

Hopefully we'll get some news from the race as it happens - we'll keep you posted if we do.

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