Revision of Extreme North Dakota Spring Primer Adventure Race (END-SPAR) from Mon, 03/30/2015 - 20:39

Race Summary:  The Extreme North Dakota Spring Primer Adventure Race (END-SPAR) - it's our annual sprint distance race designed to provide a means for those new to adventure racing to get their feet wet (and muddy and possibly blistered!) without committing to a longer race.  That said, it's no picnic.  The 2014 race took place in and around the Pembina Gorge, based out of Walhalla, North Dakota.  Each year the course will change entirely and new mystery challenges will be presented.
 
Besides being a great entry point into the sport of AR, it is also an opportunity for experienced teams to hone their skills for the coming season and/or develop new skills that will prepare them for longer races.  I like to think that when racers who are well acquainted with (and able to complete) the ENDracing series do other races they will happily realize that their ability to comfortably be 'out of their comfort zone' is more than a match for most events.
 
First time?  Come on out, it's a great way to get started with AR--but if you still think ten hours is a bit long, check out END-BOB on June 6 on the Grand Forks Greenway.  You'll still get action and adventure, but it's a little closer to home ;-)
 
Details:
Date: 16 May 2015.
Time: Start around 9 am, finish around 7 pm.  Exact times TBD.   (Sun sets about 9 pm, so driving home is good too!)
Cap: Race will be limited to 40 teams.  Teams receiving free entry WILL count towards this cap.  The race may fill up.  NOTE--there is no race day registration. You must register by May 13th to race.
 
Registration fee (opens Jan 2nd):  
  Jan 2-April 15 April 16-May 13
$120 $150
$180 $225
$240 $300
 
Location: Walhalla Country Club, 5 miles West of Walhalla, in the Pembina Gorge region of Norteast North Dakota.
 
Entry Includes:  Maps, all mystery challenge equipment, post race meal, premiere prize pool (the race is a prestige race for the North American Adventure Race Series).  All racers will get a new but 'repurposed' hoo-rag (i.e. from a past event) as well as part of the deal--sweet!  ENDracing swag will be available for purchase during registration for dirt cheap if you want it.
 
Categories: The premiere category for adventure racing is 3 or 4 person coed.  All 3/4 person coed teams will be competing for the top podium honors and points in the NAARS series.  We will also recognize top overall place and top places for all male teams and all female teams, in both 3/4 person and 2 person categories.
 
 
Disciplines:  Every race will include running/trekking, mountain biking (possibly including single-track),  and map and compass navigation (all mandatory points for END-SPAR will be pre-plotted).  The 2015 event will also feature packrafting on the Pembina river and possibly canoeing (TBD).  You will not have to carry your rafts/lifejackets/paddles for the entire race, but you may need to transport them (during the race) for distances up to a mile or so.
 
Please see the FAQ's if you have questions about packrafting.  ENDracing does have several Alpacka Scout Models available for rent ($25 ea) for teams who don't want to get their own boats.  These can be reserved on a first come first served basis. We're sold out!
 
Scoring:  Teams collect a point for each checkpoint (CP) they visit during the course.  Some CP's are optional so that slower or less experienced teams can still complete the course by opting out of these as they see fit.  Teams are ranked based on score.  Teams with the same score are ranked based on finish time.
Refund Policy: Sorry, there are no refunds of your registration fee if the race happens.  In event of severe weather, a modified course may be offered on the same day or an alternate date chosen.  Registered racers unable to make the new date would be offered credit towards another ENDracing event in an amount equal to 75% of the registration cost.  If the event is cancelled entirely due to weather or natural disaster, all registered racers will receive the 75% credit.  In the extremely unlikely event that the event is cancelled for other reasons (lack of participant numbers, for example), full refunds will be provided, of course.
 
Other Details: Gear list
 
Past Races

2014 ResultsPhotos, Video (team ENDracing), (26 teams)
2013 ResultsPhotos, Videos (1, 2), Press  (1, 2), (36 teams)
2012 Results, Photos, Videos (1, 2, 3), Race reports (Maplelag), (34 teams)
2011 Results, Photos, Video, (32 teams)
2010 Results, Videos (1, 2), (19 teams)

All profits from this event - and all ENDracing events - will help support Ground UP Adventures, a local North Dakota non-profit dedicated to bringing adventure to the region's youth and larger communities.