Our Adventure World tour of the AR World Series for this year has covered all the events set through May of 2010; I refer you to the first installment in the series if you want to catch up on the earlier four entries.

I’m due to move this preview series on to Scandinavia and the Explore Sweden race, set for July 11-17.   Called “the Monster” by the race organization, Explore Sweden is a 6-7 day tour of northern Norway and Sweden — and one exciting dimension to this race is precisely how far north it is: there will be nearly constant daylight during the race, as this is the time of year for the Arctic “midnight sun.”  The race directors, Mikael and Helena Lindnord, joked that they should eliminate a headlamp from the required gear list . . . but a glance at the mandatory gear list shows a headlamp is still required!

The region is not only known for plenty of daylight hours, however, I’ve heard previous teams comment that Explore Sweden features the biggest marshes (and insects!) they’ve ever seen.

I shouldn’t focus on the negative; many Explore Sweden veterans hold the race up as a model for exciting trekking, biking, and paddling in adventure racing.  Sweden is a paddle-crazy culture, and the race provided boats here are arguably the finest in the world: there is a section where teams will paddle true performance boats, surfskis, and another paddling section with a fast model canoe.

Explore Sweden is a race full of imagination, and the 2010 course that crosses from Norway to Sweden’s Baltic Sea shore is no exception.  It’s a West-to-East traversal featuring wild tundra, glaciers,  and forests.  In a previous edition of Explore Sweden, teams were shuttled on chartered airplanes to hop from one part of the region to another . . . talk about a logistical circus and memorable experience!  One racer at the “airplane edition” of Explore Sweden commented that there were “several” airplane hops, the flights served hot meals and  beverages, and that getting on a flight packed with only adventure racers — muddy and tired from their exertions — and then literally racing off again once the plane landed, was an unforgettable highlight.  Imagine missing a time cut-off at that race!

In a change of pace, the 2010 edition of this race will not have inline skating — which is another traditional hallmark of Nordic racing.   I can hear the cheers from North American racers already . . .
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In and effort to raise $10,000, after months of planning, the 2nd Annual 2-Day Howler Mountain Bike Race presented by Bodhin Adventure Services is moving ahead for February 20 & 21st, 2010.

In addition to racing for victory each of the two days, riders will be aiming for the overall victory and part of a $1500 cash purse for the Howler Off-Road Adventure Series. Event organizers are using the race series as a vehicle to raise $10,000 for local non-profit community partners, Communidad connect and Fundacion Tierra.
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Following consultation with city and event officials, a committee of local business owners and cycling enthusiasts selected three courses that have optimal safety, minimal traffic impact, and challenging terrain. They include a Saturday Morning individual Time Trial, Saturday afternoon Circuit Race, and Sunday cross Country Road Race. For spectator entertainment, race promoters are also staging a soon famous Three-Wheel Bike Taxi race with $100 in prize money.

There will be 4 different race categories based on ability, gender with riders coming from Managua as well as neighboring Costa Rica and other Central American countries. San Juan is expecting to see guest as far as Vancouver, Canada.

Race promoter and adventure racer Larry Thraen is excited about adding another event to San Juan’s calendar. Thraen commented; “This race is a great opportunity to support local businesses and the cycling community while helping our non-profit partners, Communidad Connect and Fundacion Tierra. The Howler Bike Mountain Bike Race combined with events such as the Howler 5 &10k, and XTERRA Triathlon creates an annual race series to build sport tourism in San Juan del Sur.

We have two bike shops in town, several wonderful hotels, great restaurants, all of these companies are an important part of our economy and the town’s character. Events like the Howler Off-Road Race Series help bring in tourism dollars and help support some great causes such as micro-financing women-owned businesses, recycling, and help provide school uniforms for children”.

A number of businesses have already signed up to support the second year event including El Encanto del Sur, Groupo Max Construction, El Gato Negro, Villas de Palermo, Pau Hana, Chica Brava. Bodhin Adventure Services is still looking for a Title sponsor for the event and the race series.

With three months until race day, the event still needs additional sponsorship to cover operating expenses and volunteers including course marshals, certified EMTs and drivers for support vehicles. All proceeds from the race go towards the 2010 events, Communidad Connect and Fundacion Tierra

American Ty Stevens overtakes third place, increases lead on day two of The Coastal Challenge

Despite heavy overnight rains making for tough muddied trails and more than 12,000 feet of elevation change, Ty Stevens (USA) took a hefty lead over fourth place runner Victor Zuniga (CRC).

Stevens’ training in the Pigah Mountains outside of his hometown in North Carolina had him well positioned for the multiple hill climbs on day two of The Coastal Challenge. His trail training through six inches of snow this past winter was a major factor in keeping his balance on the trail as well.

“These trails have been some of the most difficult I’ve experienced and the 38 miles I traversed today were no exception,” remarked Stevens. “Sometimes you don’t know if you’re going to make it through to day six, but then you’re running through rivers one minute and jungles the next and to me it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Trailing leader and newcomer Cesar Ortega (CRC) by mere minutes through checkpoint one, Stevens’ continued his adventure trek over one of Costa Rica’s most rugged mountainous ranges along the continental divide.

New to this type of stage adventure race, Stevens’ competitive background consists of several marathons, a few triathlons and a 30-mile ultra marathon. Until stage two, he had yet to run more than 30 miles.

“Pushing myself beyond what I’ve explored to date was a huge accomplishment for me today, said Stevens. “Costa Rica has been the perfect setting for my first multi-day event.”

Leading the women’s division through stage two and breaking into the top five overall, Canadian Judith Abbot overtook day one leader Margaret Phillips (USA) prior to checkpoint one. Showing no signs of fatigue, Abbot is fast becoming favored to win the overall women’s division.

“This is the most challenging race I’ve competed in,” said Abbot. “Even though it’s a tough race, I look around at the volcanos, hills and lakes and realize I’m in Costa Rica having a wonderful time.”

The sense of camaraderie within the adventure racing community is very apparent at The Coastal Challenge.

“We had a moment,” said Stevens. “Halfway through the first river crossing I was going down and Cesar immediately grabbed my pack and kept me from the drink. It really spoke to me about the local Tico culture and the type of person running the Challenge.”

Two steps later, Stevens helped Ortega who took the misstep this time.

“It’s just that type of community and I would have done it for anyone of the racers,” finished Stevens.

Top five overall times for stage two of The Coastal Challenge: Cesar Ortega (CRC) 6:27:08, Javier Montero (CRC) 6:38:03, Ty Stevens (USA) 7:33:33, Mark Lattansi (USA) 8:45:40 and Judith Abbot (CANADA) 9:02:25.

For more information or to follow the race, visit www.tccadventures.com.

About The Coastal Challenge (Route of Fire) – January 31 – February 6, 2010

Runners from around the world cover approximately 200 kilometers of exotic and wild Costa Rican mountainous regions and rugged coastline. For six days, runners embrace the spirit of adventure, discovery and camaraderie within a long distance running competition while navigating wide river crossings, rainforests, jungles, windswept
highlands, beaches and rock outcroppings. It is an expedition run of epic proportions introducing competitors to the hospitality of the local Tico culture while pushing the limits of their will and endurance. Interested participants can register and find out more information at www.thecoastalchallenge.com.

By Greg Dawson
Photo at right by J. Andres Vargas

Early next month, the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race will get underway at ‘the end of the world’. I consider this race to be one of the hardest (if not the hardest) races in the world for adventure racing. There are 2 American teams participating this year including the Gear Junkie himself, Stephen Regenold. Check out this epic preview video as we all await the start of the race on February 9.