CitySports Magazine compiled a list of “totally crazy” multisport and endurance events in their May 2005 issue. If completing your local “tri-for-fun” series fails to satisfy your need for adventure, then be sure to sign-up to participate in one of these events next year.
Additionally, any compilation of “crazy” athletic events that lists the Hawaii Ironman — an event in which athletes seek to conquer a triathlon of psychological, spiritual, and physiological experiences so intense that it breaks as many men as it does inspire — as a mere “Mildly Crazy” event deserves a read, if only to see what is considered “Absolutely Crazy.” (See list of events below.)
How crazy are you?
Run With It!
J.R. Atwood
ABSOLUTELY CRAZY
Badwater
135 mile ultramarathon from Badwater in Death Valley to Mt. Whitney.
www.badwaterultra.com
Furnace Creek 508
This 508 mile bicycle race has mountain climbs, stark desert scenery, desolate roads.
www.the508.com
Race Across America
3,047 miles, climbing over 109,000 feet and crossing fourteen states.
www.raceacrossamerica.org
Primal Quest Adventure Race
The Subaru Primal Quest is an expedition length adventure race spanning 5-10 days, covering 400 miles.
www.subaruprimalquest.com
Raid Adventure Race
The Raid World Cup 2005 will compete I a non-stop, long distance raid lasting 5-7 days.
www.raidseries.com
Swim Around Marathon
The annual 28.5 mile swim starts and finished at South Cover in Battery Park City on the Hudson River.
www.swimnyc.org
Double Ironman
A 4.8 mile swim in St. Lawrence River followed by a 224 mile bike and 52.4 mile run along the river. Ideal course for a world record.
www.triathlon-levis.com
Wickham Park Marathon 200 Mile Run
Perhaps the only race in the world where if you win the 100 mile “fun run” (which is organized for the same weekend), “all you earn is a DNF in the 200 mile marathon.” Not for the faint of heart.
www.mattmahoney.net
FireWeed 400 Mile Bike
Distance is the greatest obstacle to overcome.
www.fireweed400.com
Explore California 24 Hour Adventure Racing
24 hour desert auto rally, canyoneering, mountain biking, orienteering, trail running, rappelling, kayaking.
www.exploreca.com
Coastal Challenge
A seven-day, 240km run along the coast of Costa Rica that will test you in terms of distance, terrain and the tropical climate, as well as inspire you with with a breathtaking course that winds through the coastal rainforest on the Osa Peninsula.
www.thecoastalchallenge.com
MILDLY CRAZY
Duathlon Plus
A 5km run, 90km bike, 10km run along the St. Lawrence River.
www.triathlon-levis.com
Powerman
A 10km run, 152.6km run, 30km run along the St. Lawrence River.
www.triathlon-levis.com
Reno-Tahoe Odyssey
A 178 mile run guided by the high mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevada divided into 36 legs of varying lengths and difficulty.
www.renotahoeodyssey.com
Western States 100 Mile
One-hundred mile run along the Western States Trail.
www.ws100.com
Leadville 100 Mile Run
Fifty miles out and back in the midst of the Colorado Rockies.
www.leadvilletrail100.com
Big Blue Adventure Races
Designed for finishing times of 15-24 hours, these races cover distances of 80-100 miles.
www.bigblueadventure.com
Ride and Tie
Two people, a horse, and an exhilarating race. This event is about trail running, endurance, and most of all, strategy.
www.rideandtie.org
Warfare Challenge
Challenging 10k off-road run with tire course, low crawl, five-foot wall climb, and tunnel crawl.
www.camppendletonraces.com
Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run
A big loop through the San Juan Mountains of beautiful southwest Colorado. One-hundred miles at 33,000 feet above sea level.
www.run100s.com
Zane Grey Highline 50 Mile Trail Race
A 50 mile run in and out of canyons along the “high line” on the Mogollon Rim in Arizona.
www.zanegrey50.com
Umstead 100 Miler
Great race to do your first 100 mile ultramarathon.
www.ncroadrunners.org
Ironman
A transformative event in which mortal athletes are challenged to traverse 140.6 miles of ocean water and rugged lava fields; if survived, you are allowed to always and forever proudly declare yourself an Ironman.
www.ironmanlive.com
Avalon Benefit 50 Miler
Fifty miles – no cars, no smog, great terrain, and incredible views.
www.avalon50.com
Wild Miles
A 183 mile relay that starts in the desert floor in Borrego Springs and ends with a rousing finish in Pine Valley, CA.
www.inmotionevents.com
Hood to Coast
Over 12,000 runners make this the largest relay race in North America.
www.hoodtocoast.com
Sea Otter Classic
The menu is road cycling, mountain biking, recreating riding, and family festival fun.
www.seaotterclassic.com
BORDERLINE CRAZY
Muddy Buddy
Teams of two take on a six mile course running and mountain biking through obstacles and the famous mud pit.
www.muddybuddy.com
World Famous Mud Run
Take the Marine Mud Run Challenge – it is the cleanest fun you will ever have with a 5k race.
www.camppendletonraces.com
Xterra
The chill of fresh ocean waves streaming over a swimmer’s back. The awesome view mountain bikers take in from the top of a dormant Hawaii volcano. The thrill of running on pure adrenaline through the mountains – these are the elements that make XTERRA the fastest-growing multi-sport event in the world.
www.xterraplanet.com
Rough Water Swims
Swim at your local beach or head to Fiji and swim the Pacific.
www.oceanswims.com
Boot Camp Challenge
The three mile race is littered with obstacles used during Marine boot camp training.
www.vivalife.com
24 Hours of Adrenaline
It’s so much more than 24 hours of mountain bike racing.
www.24hoursofadrenalin.com
Granny Gear Races
24-hour bike races in Temecula, Big Bear, the Ozarks, and Moab.
www.grannygear.com
