36 Hour Atikokan Adventure Race

---

The Call of Atikokan

Rob / 21.05.2004

Twenty-seven top Canadian and U.S. teams will line up for the start of the Atikokan 36 hour race early on Saturday morning. They’ll be expecting an uncompromising 150km course from Garth Stromberg (there is no short course option on this race!) and plenty of paddling as they are in Canada’s ‘canoeing capital’. Garth is promising a ‘multi-choice’ canoe section, bush crashing navigation and some fast mountain biking.



Atikokan has 9000 square kilometres of lakes, waterways and backcountry on it’s doorstep, including the Quetico Provincial Park so it’s perfect adventure racing country. Some of the teams raced in the area at last year’s Raid the North Extreme, so they will know what to expect. They’ll be prepared for portages and the bushwhacking through dense vegetation. They should also be prepared for, and suitably protected against, the ticks, mosquitoes and black-flies which are at their worst from mid-May to July.



There are some teams new to adventure racing, like Wasaya Airways, out to complete the course, and many experienced teams will be fighting it out at the front. They’ll be competing for valuable prizes, with the winners getting free entry to the 2005 Raid the North Extreme, and the second placed team a slot in this year’s Raid the North Championships. There are cash prizes from 3rd to 5th place and gear for teams finishing 6th to 10th.



Among the teams expected to be battling it out at the front are Gears Racing.com, who are starting their build up to the World Championships in Newfoundland, Fudugazi, who were 3rd at RTNX last year, and have a reputation for strong finishing (or maybe slow starting – they say Fudugazi is Zulu of tortoise), and the experienced team ‘Jimmy’s Night Out’. Subaru Canada will also be among the favorites, while Wilderness Supply Co. and the US. team ‘MandatoryGear.com’ may also be vying for the lead.



Teams will be watching the overcast and dull forecast, hoping it stays dry, and with virtually no moonlight it’s going to be a long dark night. They’ll be setting off in the dark as it’s a 4am start, and we’ll be carrying news, reports and pictures live from the course throughout the race.



SleepMonsters will also be hosting a race leaderboard for those wanting to follow the progress of the teams. You’ll also be able to see the team and racer profiles from the leaderboard. Follow all the action right here!See All Event Posts