My motion.social project is giving me a wonderful excuse to expand my athletic experiences beyond (mostly) cycling and running. Last Thursday I participated in Krank Events‘ season opener adventure race in Fairwood (near Renton).
Krank Events are organized by Cory Sytsma and a team of enthusiastic and welcoming volunteers. Cory did his first adventure races in the 2008-09 timeframe, at a time when he was organizing snowshoe events. There was another local organizer doing adventure races, and when that organizer withdrew from the sport Cory stepped in to fill the void.
These adventure races combine different disciplines (in this event it was mountain biking and “trekking”–trail running/walking), with the added challenge of navigation to checkpoints (“CPs”) within the course area. When you reach a checkpoint you need to answer a question about the checkpoint, like “What does the sign say?” In some parts of the course the checkpoints must be found in sequential order, while in others you simply try to find as many checkpoints as you can within the race time limit. Checkpoints can be a landmark like a unique sign, or a ribbon placed by the course designer.
Krank’s Weeknight Adventure Races are designed to be completed within 2.5-3 hours. The checkpoints vary in difficulty–both in terms of access and visibility. As I made my way through the course I often found myself staring directly at the checkpoint for what seemed like too long, unable to recognize how to properly answer the question. There was a bit of a learning curve, but I started to get the hang of it.
A typical Weeknight Adventure Race course starts with a 3-5 minute mini-trek or “prologue,” followed by a bike ride to a remote transition area (“TA”) where you switch from one discipline to another (e.g. bike to foot). After completing the second section you get back on your bike and return to the start location, perhaps collecting more checkpoints along the way.
The courses also include “pro checkpoints” to add challenge for the more experienced and skilled competitors, and these earn a time bonus. All participants are automatically given series points and are eligible to win the Series. Participants can compete solo or in teams of up to 5 members.
The courses all include trekking and biking disciplines, and the June 6 Union Bay event will also include canoeing.
For trekking, any running shoes work well (I used Brooks Ravennas which were fine except for a very steep muddy section where crampons would have been ideal), and you can carry them to the remote TA in a hydration pack. For biking, a cyclocross bike or mountain bike is generally preferred (I used my gravel bike with no problems), since there is usually some off-road riding.
Results
Photos
Upcoming Krank Events
Check out the 10-event Cascadia Series
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