The Only True Adventure Race in Norway

Jacob Westerberg / 30.08.2017

After the success in 2016 we decided to organize a sequel in 2017. The Nordic Adventure Race is the only true adventure race in Norway. It is a 24h race with paddling, running, mountain bike and navigation. Teams compete in 4 classes. Teams of 2 compete in Mix, Men and Female category and we are also providing the option for teams of 3 to 4 in an open class.

This years course includes glacier green water paddling, high mountain running and challenging mountain biking.

Our intention with this race is to grow the sport of adventure racing in Norway. The terrain and the surroundings is absolutely stunning and you can find perfect AR terrain almost anywhere in Norway. Our dream is to organize a 3 Days Adventure Race in Norway. We have already planned most of the course...

The course is designed both for the elite teams and the new comers. We are aiming to deliver an experience of adventure racing in beautiful surroundings - for the new to explore and the experienced to conquer. The method is to provide an combination of mandatory and optional checkpoints. In this way beginners and elite can compete on the same course side by side.

There are 42 person signed up for the 2017 race. This was actually our maximum number of teams this year due to the number of canoes available. We are definitely looking to double the number for next years race. 
 

The 2017 edition starts in the country village Ringebu in Gudbrandsdalen. It kicks off with a running prologue and then the racers hits the water. The teams will do a stage called "Only Adventure Racers Paddles upstream...". This paddling will be set to the green glacier water of the river Lågen.

After the paddling the racers will hit the road and they will slowly ascend up to high mountain terrain. The stage aka "The Altitude Gainer" takes them up to a beautiful network of gravel roads just above and below the tree line.

The next 30km running section (or might be a trekk for some teams) is the most stunning stage of the Race. The name "Sky Runners High" both describes the altitude, the stage itself and beauty of this stage. You are running between mountaintops in a high mountain area and if the weather is clear you will see both the snowy mountains of Jotunheimen National Park as well as the steep peaks of Rondane National Park.

The TA after the running section is located at a mountain resort and the reception promises to have open until 11PM. All teams will be able to enjoy the service from the kiosk. The teams will now get on their bikes again for a 65km bike ride. It starts with single tracks and follows a lakes system with old wooden bridges and resort housings. The ride soon shifts shape and gives the only pavement section in the race, before the racers are punished with more uphill climbing. There are some very interesting checkpoints within this stage, but it is to early to reveal them as the racers would definitely understand where they are. The only downside with this stage is that it will be dark after 9PM and the racers will not be able to enjoy the high mountain terrain in full detail. However they might have kind of a struggle with both the night temperature and the navigation on this stage.

During the next stage "If you knew the views, you would wish for daylight", there are lots of options for slower teams to skip optional checkpoints. The elite teams will meet another high mountain area that are providing perfect running conditions... but the stage is 24km long and it takes endurance to be able to benefit from this.

The last stage is a 37km bike stage that starts with a single track section of high standards and finishes with a demanding downhill back to the finish line.

The course consists of lots of altitude, 57km of running, 18km paddling and 147km MTB. We expect the winning time to 21-24hours and the course is open 27 hours.

The Race is organized by USWE Adventure Team. The live page with GPS-tracking and can be followed at the race website: https://www.nordicadventurerace.net/

Check out our 2016  video from the race:
https://youtu.be/7ezEEsnUyc0

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