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SALOMON / MOOSEJAW SPRING ADVENTURE CHALLENGE

GRAAR is proud to announce it's hosting the Salomon/Moosejaw Spring Adventure Challenge adventure race to be held Saturday, May 6th, 2006 in the Ionia State Recreational Area in Ionia, Michigan. This 4-6 hour race is designed for the beginner wanting to try an adventure race or the intermediate racer training for a longer race.

Date: Saturday, May 6, 2006
Location: Ionia State Recreation Area in Ionia, Michigan
Length: 4-6 hour sprint race
Time: 8:00am Start (registration from 5:30am to 6:30am)
Disciplines: Canoeing, Mountain Biking, Orienteering and Trekking
Divisions: 3 person coed, 2 person coed, 2 person male and 2 person female
Who: Beginner to Intermediate
Limit: 40 TEAMS

* REGISTRATION CLOSED *
* MANDATORY GEAR LIST *
* INFORMATION AND RULES *
* DIRECTIONS TO IONIA STATE REC. AREA *
* SPONSORS *
* TEAM LIST *

Event Cost:
$60.00 per person on a team of two ($120.00 per team of 2) $10 late charge per person after April 1st
$50.00 per person on a team of three ($150.00 per team of 3) $10 late charge per person after April 1st
The cost includes a T-shirt and prizes that will go to the top finishers. Entry is limited to 60 total participants on a first come-first serve basis. This cost includes the rental of canoe, lifejackets and paddles. The top team will not only get prizes from Salomon Sports and Moosejaw.com but will win a free entry to the RiverRats Mad Rush the following week. Event cost does not include a vehicle state park pass which if you don't have an annual pass, a daily pass can be purchased for $6.00 at the park entrance.

About The Race:
This race will be easy to moderate difficulty and will serve as a great race for beginners or intermediate racers preparing for a longer race. This race will be true to classic AR tradition, which means teams will rely on navigating themselves through each stage of the race while making strategic decisions. This will not be an "Off-road Triathlon". Pre-marked topographical maps will be provided to the racers along with a passport that teams must use to verify the control point locations. No support crew will be needed although be prepared for a pre-race gear and/or bike drop in a remote location different from the start and finish. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers. All teams must complete the course in 6 hours with their passport to be considered at ranked team. Team and individual racers will be required to carry the mandatory gear throughout the entire race. SEE MANDATORY GEAR LIST. There is camping right at Ionia State Rec. Area so if you're looking for a place to stay, visit the website from the link above.

Trekking / Orienteering:
The total trekking will be a minimum of 6 miles - much more depending on the selected route and number of CP's achieved. The terrain will vary from trails to dense brush, woodlands and open fields. Maps will be USGS 1:24000. Maps will be pre-marked with the control points.

Canoe:
Teams will be paddling 2-5 miles depending on their route. The canoes, life jackets and paddles will be provided. These are included in the cost of the race. Teams will not be allowed to use thier own canoes and paddles. Every racer must wear a life jacket at all times while on or in the water.

Mountain Bike:
The mountain bike stage(s) will be 6-10 miles in length. Teams must locate and check in at each of the required checkpoints. The course will include a decent portion of single track with the remaining portion on a mix of dirt and paved roads

Contact Michael Boks (michael@graar.org) if you have any questions regarding this race.