Revision of Extreme North Dakota Spring Primer Adventure Race (END-SPAR) from Tue, 05/10/2016 - 21:32

Race Summary: Adventure Racing--what is it? It's a team sport (you stay together the whole time) where you navigate to different locations using a paper map. Different parts of the race involve different modes of travel, usually running/trekking, mountain/gravel biking, and paddling. Nobody knows the course before race day, so it's an adventure--you don't know where you'll end up, or how you'll get there. Rootstock Racing has a wonderful article on why it's a great sport.
 
The Extreme North Dakota Spring Primer Adventure Race (END-SPAR) is our annual sprint distance (4-6 hours) 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. It's also a good way to refresh your skills if you (like most people) haven't raced all winter.
 
The 2014 and 2015 races took place in and around the Pembina Gorge, based out of Walhalla, North Dakota.  For 2016, we're moving back to where it all began--in and around Turtle River State Park, Larimore Dam, or Grand Forks, ND.
 
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.
 
 
Details:
Date: May 7 2016.
Time: Start around 9 am, finish around 3 pm.
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 5th to race.
 
Registration:  
  Dec 1-Feb 28 Mar 1-May 5
Team of 2 (view roster) $120 $150
Team of 3 (view roster) $180 $225
Team of 4 (view roster) $240 $300

Youth (17 and under) save $10.
Refund Policy

 
Location: Turtle River State Park, 3084 Park Ave, Arvilla, ND (or thereabouts)
 
Entry Includes:  ENDracing shirt, maps, all mystery challenge equipment, post race meal, prize drawing.  All racers will get a new ENDracing t-shirt and a new but 'repurposed' Hoo-Rag (i.e., from a past event) as well as part of the deal--sweet!
 
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.  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), packrafting, and map and compass navigation (all mandatory points for END-SPAR will be pre-plotted). 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. All rented out for 2016!
 
About the packrafting (13 April 2016): Packrafting is fun, and it's "pretty easy" to do for this race even if you don't have a "real" boat. ("scare quotes"). Andy wrote a blog post about what works a while back, and the advice still stands. If you're a first-time team and think you can fit three people in a $30 boat, our advice is that you practice first. Also see the FAQ and this thread on the ENDracing message board.. PFDs are required.
 
Scoring:  Teams collect a point for each checkpoint (CP) they visit during the course.  Some CPs 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 scored and ranked based on the number of optional CPs they visit.  Teams with the same score are ranked based on finish time.
 
Gear List: 2016 gear list (updated 2016-05-02). FAQs are here.
 
Social Media: Please use #endspar for your social media posts while you train and after the race (obviously, you won't be posting during the race). Check out the hashtag on Twitter, Instagram, and even Facebook. Don't forget to tag your friends and invite them to the race!
 
Past Races
Year Racers Results Photos Videos Race Reports Press
2016 17 teams Results Wes     Dakota Destinations (May 24)
2015 18 teams Results   Team 3-Bux    
2014 26 teams Results Wes Team ENDracing    
2013 36 teams Results Wes 12   12
2012 34 teams Results Photos 123 Maplelag  
2011 32 teams Results Wes, Caylan Video    
2010 19 teams Results   12