The APEX Race, (Alpine Expedition Adventure Race) returns to Berner Oberland for the second edition of “the most beautiful adventure race in the world”.

The beautiful Swiss Alpine region of Berner Oberland will once again host the Swiss World Series Adventure Race, the APEX Race. Host venue will be the town of Interlaken, known as the “Adventure Capital of Europe”, situated beautifully at the foot of the Alps and right in between the Lakes of Brienz and Thun.

Dates for the 2012 edition have moved forward a couple of weeks and are set for June 5th – 10th, which will again ensure adventurous experiences from different seasonal conditions.

The race in 2011 was set up to be one of the most beautiful and scenic races in the world and afterwards many teams would also regard it as one of the toughest and most challenging.

30 teams representing 17 different nations took part in the event and all greatly contributed to the positive, and friendly atmosphere that also came to characterize the event. Continue Reading

Spain’s Victor Del Corral and Switzerland’s Renata Bucher won the XTERRA France Championship in Xonrupt on Saturday, July 10. The victory marks the first XTERRA Championship ever for Del Corral, and the first of 2011 for Bucher (the four-time XTERRA European Tour Champion now has 22 career XTERRA victories).

XTERRA Managing Director “Kahuna Dave” Nicholas was on site for the race and brings us this report…

In the north of France, another great European race with twists and turns and loads of entertainment. Race morning was sunny and warm as the 400 participants in XTERRA France Decouvert (discovery) headed out exactly on time at 8:15 a.m. Next, over 100 kids from 7-13 went out in real swim-bike-run races in 3 age groups and had some exciting battles. Size and gender mean nothing to kids; the girls and smaller boys were unbelievably fast.

About an hour before the championship race start the clouds came in and the rain started. The good news is it stopped just before the 2:00pm start. A great mass of 500 stood on the shore when the “bomb” went off and the game began.

Ben Allen, an Aussie living in France and fresh off a victory at XTERRA Brazil, killed the swim leading second-place by 30 seconds. Frenchman Benoit Augeux and an Englishman living in France, Asa Shaw, were next, followed by Olivier Marceau, Ronny Dietz, Yeray Luxem and the rest of the pack.

For the women, South African Carla van Huyssteen was first out of the water followed by Marion “Bubu” Lorblanchet. Lorblanchet muscled her way past the diminutive van Huyssteen leaving transition knowing that the “Swiss Miss” Renata Bucher would be strong on the bike. Bucher had what she termed a bad “sveem” and was more than three minutes behind Lorblanchet from T1 and had a lot of work to do.
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DART-Nuun-SportMulti finished 7th overall and the top American team

Team members Ryan VanGorder, Mari Chandler, Matt Hayes, and Kyle Peter competed in the APEX Expedition race in Switzerland May 25 – 29. The race covered miles of beautiful trails high in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps. Incredible scenery, exposed ridgelines, big climbs, tough competition, and lots of vertical were all highlights of the race.

The race started with a 4 stage prologue in Interlaken consisting of two orienteering loops, a trotti-bike (scooter) section, and whitewater rafting. With 30 teams that were well rested and ready to race, the prologue was very competitive. With each section taking about 1 hour, there was a bit of rest time between stages. Each orienteering loop consisted of a couple checkpoints in some flat hay fields around the airport and then a climb and descent on a trail system on the mountains to the south of Interlaken. The trotti-bike section included four loops around the airport roads with teammates alternating loops in pairs. Whitewater rafting included about 10 minutes of whitewater (untimed) and about 20 minutes of paddling on a calmer section of the river. The temperature reached 85 deg F during the day, and with 20-20 hindsight I think many teams, including ours, would have lowered the pace a notch or two.

The race re-start had us on a short run through Interlaken to the first paddle section on Thunersee (Lake Thun). An out and back section on the west end of the lake let everyone see where they stood after a few hours of paddling.

After the paddle, we began an all night bike ride up the Kander valley where we had a short run up to the Oeschinenseee lake, and a good downhill back down the valley. We then rode higher in the mountains through numerous communities, farms, and ranches. The fast pace and heat of the first day hit Matt hard on this stretch. The team towed throughout the night, but it wasn’t until a few rest stops, including a breakfast recovery buffet at a hotel and a Nuun rehydration session that he began to recover and feel better. The end of ride traveled up the Lauterbrunnen valley, which had amazing shear rock walls lining both sides and numerous waterfalls from the cliffs.
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Alpine Expedition Switzerland (APEX) just finished up last week and we finally had the opportunity to catch up with Assistant Race Director, Grant Killian for a little Q&A about his thoughts on this year’s inaugural event. The event was also an race on the AR World Series calendar and from all indications, it has set the bar pretty high in terms of epic race locations.

What were your thoughts on the inaugural event?

It was a lot of fun; a successful multi-day experiment in Switzerland. There’s a lot of potential for the APEX moving forward. Putting together compelling video and photo promotions will be easy with all the terrific footage collected over the 2011 APEX course! I also noticed how the average caliber of team competing in Europe is higher than in North America. I know that may not make me popular with Canadian and American readers, but it’s the truth. European teams are quicker, maybe they train more; maybe they train more effectively; maybe it’s because they compete against eachother they are pushed to higher levels of fitness. Darwin’s theory for adventure racing.

What was the highlight at this year’s event?

Hard to pick just a single highlight; the gorgeous Swiss Alps, the setting for the race, have to be the star of the show if I can pick only one.

Anything you would have done differently?

There are always things you might do differently, but since this race is really Staffan’s in terms of the big picture I don’t want to undermine any of what he has done. I kid Staffan about this, but I think the APEX went too easy on the racers this year in some regards (constant gear bin access, all roads/trails for navigation, and others). One thing I might look at differently: the race prologue was 6 hours and drained a lot of teams before the real race even started . . . I might look at scaling that back (or not having a Prologue at all) in the future. The Prologue originally came about as a way to have the racers in and around Interlaken, to bring the city into the race, but we ended up (due to permits) not being able to travel very freely through the main Interlaken village and so the whole Prologue was done out at Interlaken’s airfield location — a good mile or two away from the main town. What was supposed to be spectator-friendly ended up attracting zero spectators and really trashing some of the teams as they competed with such high intensity through the Prologue.

I know that you have personally raced some great locations, how would you rate the venue of APEX against other race locations you have seen?

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American novelist Earnest Hemingway wrote that “Switzerland is a small, steep country; much more up and down than sideways.” The Apex racers have spent four days proving Hemingway’s assertion. They have the blisters and swolen joints to prove it!

Day #4, Saturday, saw Silva Gerber Adventure cross the finish line first to win the race in impressive fashion. They did the final trek of scenic valleys and forests, concluding with one racer dramatically paragliding down to Interlaken while the rest of their team ran down the mountain. Reunited at the landing field, the team had a final short trek to the finish line. The Silva team only slept for 1 hour 40 minutes throughout the entire event, and raced without making any significant mistakes; their experience and teamwork powered them to the victory, finishing 4 hours in front of the Swiss team R’Adys Black Diamond. R’Adys attracted a good crowd of supporters for their final trek through Interlaken town, and they waved the Swiss and Canton Bern flags as they jogged under the finishing archway. For a team with 2 novice expedition racers, 2nd place is an amazing result and may indicate the resurgance of elite Swiss adventure racing on the world scene (the Salomon Suisse team was consistently one of the best in the world, but had disbanded several years ago).

A close battle for 3rd place developed almost right from the start of the race; for the Swedish “Sweco Adventure Team” and French “PowerBar Lozere Sport Nature” teams, it has been a sustained back-and-forth contest between these two European rivals. Ultimately, Sweco Adventure claimed third place crossing the finish line 1 hour and 50 minutes ahead of PowerBar Lozere Sport.

All the race finishers thus far have commented about the taxing elevation gain (15,000 meters is a figure most teams agree on based on their route selections) and phenomenal natural beauty of the course. Some have called it the most scenic race ever. From the scorching hot prologue to the freezing Alpine storm on the Schilthorn trek, from the crystal clear paddle on the Thunersee to the canyoneering at rocky Grimsel canyon . . . this race has showcased the Swiss landscape in all its many wonderful shapes and sizes.

There are still many teams racing, all on the final trekking leg that took the race leaders over 12 hours to complete. The weather is clear overnight and temperatures moderate, so the stage is set for teams to have a strong push to the finish line.

The official top 5 teams are:

1. Silva Gerber Adventure (Sweden)
2. R’Adys Black Diamond (Switzerland) — 4 hours, 1 minute behind the leaders
3. Sweco Adventure Team (Sweden) — 5 hours, 50 minutes behind the leaders
4. PowerBar Lozere Sport Nature (France) — 7 hours, 40 minutes behind the leaders
5. Accom/Nutrend/Merida (Czech Republic) — 11 hours behind the leaders

For up-to-the second details on the race, please visit http://www.TheApexRace.com

The APEX : Alpine Expedition Switzerland has entered day #4. Day #3 has showed the nastier side of Swiss weather, with almost constant wind, rain, and snow in the higher reaches of the course. Teams completed a fun canyoneering activity despite the weather conditions; racers really enjoyed the ropes, pools, and swims (and their thick wetsuits!).

The race leaders continued quickly into the Brienzer Rothorn trekking leg, which is an exposed series of ridge trails at high altitude over the scenic Brienzersee (Lake Brienz). Conditions on the ridges deteriorated as the day wore on, and race organizers wisely re-routed the trek into lower elevations more safe for the slower teams who would take this section on at night. Many teams, however, have elected to sleep a few hours at a transition area further up the valley from the Brienzer Rothorn trek . . . replenishing their energy for the final push to the finish line either tomorrow or Sunday morning.

The race leaders, Silva Gerber and R’Adys Black Diamond, ended the day with less than 30 minutes separating them. Silva must feel like they have a shadow! Both teams are on the final paddling leg as we write this, and the final push to the finish line tomorrow will be one to remember!

The race for 3rd place right now is shared between the Swedish “Sweco Adventure Team” and French “PowerBar Lozere Sport Nature” team; less than 15 minutes stands between 3rd and 4th place, and 5th place isn’t far from them, meaning we will have more than 1 sprint to the finish to follow.

The top 5 at this point in the race are:

1. Silva Gerber Adventure (Sweden)
2. R’Adys Black Diamond (Switzerland) — 13 minutes behind the leaders
3. Sweco Adventure Team (Sweden) — 7 hours behind the leaders
4. PowerBar Lozere Sport Nature (France) — 7 hours, 10 minutes behind the leaders
5. Accom/Nutrend/Merida (Czech Republic) — 7 hours, 45 minutes behind the leaders

For up-to-the second details on the race, please visit http://www.TheApexRace.com

The APEX : Alpine Expedition Switzerland has entered day #2. Day #1 consisted of a scorching hot prologue of 4 loops through Interlaken (2 orienteering loops, 1 scootering loop, and 1 whitewater rafting loop). Local Swiss team R’Adys Black Diamond emerged as the leader after the prologue, and started the real race 4 minutes in front of the Swedish powerhouse team Silva Gerber Adventure. A few minutes behind Silva, the Czech team Accom/Nutrend/Merida rounded out the prologue top 3.

The real race began with a short 45 minute run through Interlaken village, and then a kayak on the scenic Thunersee with steep Swiss Alps all around. Gorgeous views! The sun set just as the first teams finished the kayaking, and R’Adys had been overtaken by Silva during the paddle and the 3rd place Czechs slipped several places in the standings. The top 5 after the kayaking leg were:
Silva Gerber Adventure (Sweden)
R’Adys Black Diamond (Switzerland)
Sweco Adventure Team (Sweden)
Quechua.com (France)
PowerBar Lozere Sport Nature (France)

Many teams pushed too hard on the race prologue, and they started to pay for their exertions with leg cramps, dehydration, and general fatigue on the kayak leg. The race features over 10,000 m of elevation gain and 100 hours of non-stop racing, the longest adventure race in Switzerland in nearly a decade. 28 teams started the race, and it remains to be determined how many of those will reach the finish line.

For up-to-the second details on the race, please visit http://www.TheApexRace.com

North American team round-up for theApex: Alpine Expedition Switzerland adventure race.

DART-nuun-Sportmulti: I chatted a bit with these bunch of West Coast Americans and they looked relaxed and in high spirits. Kyle Peter was sporting a shorter version of his beard since I last saw him, and they all looked lean, mean, and ready for action. Ryan Vangorder and I had a particularly pleasant chat about balancing training/working etc and what it’s like to move to a new city, so I think I can crown them winners of my pre-race “down to Earth” honours!

Running Free: For years one of Canada’s top teams, Running Free has high hopes for this international race and for good reason. They struck me as a bit wound-up yesterday, having just flown to Switzerland and harried or jet-lagged with all the travel. They had their game faces on today, though, and this gentle pre-race schedule with plenty of time for packing and maps should help them get into A+ race mode.

Tree Huggers: Barb Campbell is the heart if this team, and while she claims her team is here to “take lots of photos and moderate their intensity” I know she’s a FIERCE competitor just about any time she’s got a map, compass, and passport in her hand. She may be trying to humor her teammates before the racing starts, or fly under the radar of these other quality teams, but I think Barb the Bonecrusher might be playing possum at this Apex race.
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The APEX (Alpine Expedition Switzerland) race gets underway tomorrow morning (10am local time—2am ET). Below is an outline/outline on the event, along with a map and race overview.

Timetable APEX Race
24 May 08.00-11.00: Mandatory race check-in and formalities at race HQ. Bring all mandatory TEAM gear! After completed check-in you will receive the race maps.

24 May 17.00: Official opening ceremony at race HQ and afterwards a captains meeting. Drinks will be served, no food.

25 May 06.00-08.00: Gear check-in at parking lot close to Balmers. Make sure to weigh you bins before you check them in! Scales are available at Balmers. If your bins are to heavy you will be last in line again.

25 May 08.30: Last race instructions at race HQ and collective walk to the start.

25 May 10.00: The APEX Race begins with the prologue.

28 May: Winners cross the APEX Race finish line during the day.

29 May 14.00: The Apex Race course closes.

29 May 18.00: Awards ceremony and closing festivities at race HQ. Food and drinks will be served.
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In just a little over a month, the inaugural edition of the Alpine Expedition Race (APEX) will take place in Switzerland. APEX, part of the AR World Series, will test its participants over four days in this non-stop expedition race. This should truly be an epic race and we look forward to following along with the action. Race runs May 24-29.

THE OCEAN CYCLING WORLD OF YVON LE CAER
http://yvonlecaer.com/

“Although this episode of my life belongs to yesteryear,
I believe that the effort and achievement are still relevant today.”
- Yvon Le Caer -

SUMMARY OF THIS WEBSITE CONTENTS
Peter Eland Publisher of VELO VISION MAGAZINE said it best [June 2009]:

“A slice of human powered history has recently emerged via a website set-up by
ocean-pedalling pioneer Yvon Le Caer who, in the 1980s, completed a remarkable
serie of voyages on his self-built pedalcraft.

A former successful racing cyclist, he had switched his efforts to pedal boats
and major crossings, as he said “not only to face new athhletic and technical challenges,
but also to realize an old dream of mine and, by the same token, validate cycling on water.” 

His first major crosssing, in 1981, took him from Cat Cay in the Bahamas to Dania Beach
on the East coast of Florida, a 62-mile or 100 km journey.
Then, in 1985, he became the first cyclist to “pedal” the English Channel
from Cherbourg in Normandy, France, to Poole on the Dorset coast of England;
a 92-mile or 148 km journey riding AquaCycle, a pedal craft of his own design.

His athletic career was cut short in 1986 by a hit-and-run driver,
but the new website offers a moving and impressive chronicle of the sea cycling
exploits of his youth, with press clippings, photos and documents
pioneering rides on human-powered boats long before the idea had
gained the acceptance and awareness (such as it is) that the concept has today.

It’s well worth a read, and even a trip to the public library if you don’t have the internet at home.”

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We found this video over at the Adventure Journal and couldn’t resist a repost on our site! Keep your eyes on the spectators and the proximity in which they are buzzed!

Montenegro’s ARMex 48 Hour Adventure Race has been accepted by the Adventure Race European Series (ARES). ARMex 2011 competitors will gain European Championship ranking points.

“We are very pleased that ARMex has been accepted by the AREuroSeries, now we can award rankings points as part of the European Championships. In 2010 we set out to create one of the world’s best adventure races in Montenegro. After just one race, we have received the approval of Europe’s Adventure Racing body, who are themselves partners in the Adventure Race World Series. We already have the support of the US Adventure Race Series (USARA) who are sending the 2 top ranked teams in the US to take part in our 2011 race. This is fantastic news for the development of Adventure Sport in Montenegro”

Jack Delf – ARM

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NOTES:

AREuroSeries

AREuroSeries manage and develop long distance adventure racing in Europe, including the AR European Championship and AR European Cup. ARES coordinate AR sport development together with AR World Series organizer. European Championship winners are automatically entered into the AR World Championship. Continue Reading

Three Americans and U.S. Sponsor Pompeian to Participate in Noted Women’s Event

The streets of Sete, France will be lined with fans and spectators Saturday, March 19th to cheer on 220 women representing 16 countries as they compete in the 21st edition of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles. For 2011, the noted grueling Franco-Moroccan rally will be marked by an increase in United States participation.

The rally pushes competitors for fifteen days – nine days of competition, six days of inspections, transits and ceremonies in France and primarily Morocco. It stands apart from other off-road events where the competition’s goal is to finish with the fewest number of kilometers as opposed to finishing with the fastest time. The rally is open to professionals but teams are primarily amateurs with a serious sense of adventure. Outdated maps, no GPS, no cell phones and no support crews add to the challenge, pushing each driver and navigator to their limit. There is no prize money at the finish, just accomplishment and pride.

Three Americans will be competing this year, hailing from both coasts. Emily Miller, professional off-road racer, returns for her third competition with French navigator and 2008 rally winner, Armelle Medard to form Team #109. The American-French duo are slated the team to watch in 2011.

Newcomers to the rally are team #107 comprised of sisters Amy Lerner and Tricia Reina. Growing up in a family that loved cars and racing, they began training last year for the specifics of the unique format. Lerner will take the role of pilot and Reina will primarily handle the navigation duties.

Joining the United States competitors will be the rally’s first American sponsor, Pompeian Olive Oil (www.Pompeian.com). “The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles and Pompeian join together to support and celebrate the inspiring stories of everyday women who are driven to compete,” declared Pompeian’s Marketing Manager, David Bensadoun. “In addition, the rally’s dedication to humanitarian efforts and environmental initiatives are in alignment with the values we share at Pompeian. We are honored to be a part of an inspiring, eco-friendly and influential event.”
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What a better place to explore, compete, and live (or at least make plans to) then at the Adventures in Travel Show. A consumer based travel show that hosts events in six cities nationwide. We (No Boundaries) attended an awesome show last March in DC. This time around landing in the ‘Windy City’ or better the wet, cold, and now blizzard ladened metropolis, Chicago. Weather did not detour hundreds of travel enthusiasts from packing the aisles at the Donald Stephens Convention Center. All gathered to talk of beach trips, safari treks, jungle adventures, and various cultural events. Travel agencies, tour operators, and tourism boards arriving days ahead to set up intoxicating displays of exotic places far and wide.

To spice it up further both days were packed full with seminars by well known travel advocates, live camel rides, world dance performances, and dives in the scuba pool. The travel seminars led by photographers, travel experts, magazine editors such as Rick Steve’s of PBS, Ralph Velasco Travel Photographer, and Beth Collin of Budget Travel Magazine all there to share stories and offer advice for planning the trip of your dreams.

I spent my time speaking with various tourism boards and tour operators. To learn of authentic travel experience opportunities and the importance for each country to share the culturally rich and beautiful aspects of their region. This supporting our mission at Adventure Traveler & No Boundaries to be a communication platform for the many positive aspects and connectedness we can all experience through travel. Whether it be for adventure sports, cultural exploration, or simply needing some time away from our everyday. I was also impressed and inspired to learn about the many great humanitarian projects and initiatives out there aligned with travels and to discover literally thousands of vacation opportunities all under one roof.

To finish my day I enjoyed the world dances experiencing each culture through unique costumes, style of movement, and diverse music on the global beats stage.

The Travel & Adventure Show is the longest running series of consumer travel events in the United States – a one stop shopping marketplace, where consumers and the travel trade will find thousands of travel providers offering unique vacation options and travel information. Plus, you’ll be able to access informative travel seminars, hands-on activities cultural performances and more.

Upcoming Adventures in Travel Expo dates for 2011:
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Raid in France has been chosen by the ARWS organization to host the Adventure Race World Championship (ARWC). The 2012 race is scheduled from the 15th to the 22nd of September. The event will take place in the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur, in the south-east region of France.

Race Director, Pascal Bahuaud, said “The Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur is a world renowned destination and the event will start in the High Alps (Hautes Alpes) at the resort town of ’Argentiere-La Bessée and finish in the sun on the Mediterranean coast. The region has large areas of untracked high country and diversified territories that are great for non-stop expedition racing. The mountains, rivers, canyons of this region are world renowned.”

Since the creation of Raid in France, the organisation has placed a strong emphasis on their “Back to Nature ”charter and each year, all the major players of the event are signatories to this positioning. The event has received strong support from the sports and adventure national committee as well as investment support and significant investment from local institutions.

Geoff Hunt, AR World Series Director, said “I’m sure the 2012 Adventure Race World Championship will be a huge success and follow on the expedition style success that the Raid in France has become known for.”

More than 50 elite teams from 30 different countries are expected in the six days non-stop competition in 2012, for over 700 km in the disciplines of mountain biking, trekking, kayaking… and in complete autonomy. These teams will have the opportunity to qualify for one of the events in the ARWorld Series that are held each year.

The Adventure Racing World Series is an international circuit of premiere adventure races representing 10 countries creating a 12 month calendar of professional events around the world. The series events are XPD-Australia, Ecomotion-Brazil, Bimbache Extrem-Spain, Huairasinchi-Ecuador, Raid in France-France, Untamed New England-USA, Estoril Portugal XPD Portugal, Costa Rica Adventure Race, Xtremo 6000-Argentina, Adidas Terrex-England.

Adventure Racing World Series events are qualifiers for the Adventure Race World Championship.

The 2011 ARWChampionship will be held in the Australian state of Tasmania.

As a preamble, the Raid in France 2011 edition will offer a rehearsal on French territory. This 4th edition will start on the 28th August 2011 in the region of la Drôme, with the emphasis on the French raid DNA : discovering, sharing, environmental respect, performance, humility, courage and generosity.

That’s going to be tough racing. Poland’s well known as a country of polar bears, but don’t worry. Although we have some bears but in Tatra Mountains, not in Silesian Beskids. Even though they are not a problem in winter time. I’d rather be afraid of freezing temperatures, strong winds and snow. At the moment in Poland we have really a lot of snow and it would be challenging if someone spends time outside.

Now a proposal for weekend 20th – 23rd of January 2011 in Poland… Winter Raid Timex 360 Degrees contains: mtb, orienteering, adventure running, ice-skating, cross country skiing and some special tasks (angle rope ascending, rope bridge, rope descending, climbing, rock traverse). Racing on two distances. 250 km for teams of four (mixed) and 160 km for pairs. We suppose race will last 45-50 hours for the fastest teams. Winter Raid Timex 360 Degrees is part of Adventure Race Euro Series. To be a part of ARES, the event should meet some basic requirements, such as:
- 4 people mixed teams (both gender), another category may be too;
- at least 4 disciplines (mix of run/trekking, MTB, kayaking, orienteering, climbing, inline skates, swimming, rope activities, cross country skiing, canyoning etc.);
- non-stop race, distance around 250 – 450 km, racing time between 40 – 60 hrs for the winner

Every team competing in the race included in ARES will get ranking dependent points. The matrix can be downloaded here. The winner of ARES is the team with highest total sum of points. This winning team has free spot in AREC (European Championship) next year.

Scheme of courses: http://www.team360.pl/zima_2011/en/node/1822
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Registration for the fourth edition of the Grand Raid des Pyrénées opens on January 11, 2011 at 11:11. As with the three previous editions, there will be two formats available to test the mettle of ultra racers: the Ultra, 160km with 10,000m of ascent and the Grand, at 80km with 5,000m of ascent.

Taking place from August 26-28,2011 in the high Pyrénées mountains of France, the Ultra will start at 05:00 on August 26th from the picturesque town of Vielle-Aure. Top racers are expected to finish the race in twenty-four hours, although two years ago the winners blew away all predictions finishing in twenty-two hours. The time cut-off for all racers on the Ultra is fifty hours.

The starting gun for the Grand will sound at 05:00 on August 27th with the winner expected to finish in eleven hours and this race has a time cut-off of twenty-five hours.

A few modifications have been added to the race route this year, taking into consideration racer’s suggestions, but the major attraction of the trail remains; the ascent of the mythic Pic du Midi with its scientific observatory perched high above the clouds at an altitude of 2,877m.

Racers in previous years have exhausted the list of superlatives in describing their race and the internationally recognized website SleepMonsters .com has described the race as, “Going from strength to strength”, with a major French website citing the race as, “A reference in the world of ultra running”.

Last year’s edition welcomed racers from 22 different countries with ultra trail runners present from as far away as Australia and Singapore. Generating such international enthusiasm, places are likely to fill up quickly.

Organized by the association MAJUSCHULE which is comprised of six members eager to share their love of the Pyrenean mountain range, the Grand Raid des Pyrénées is limited to a total of 1,500 racers so that it can maintain its friendly, festive ambiance.

Further information is available in French and English on the official website: http://www.grandraidpyrenees.com.

Via Press Release

Oct 1 to 3rd saw an international field assemble for the inaugural staging of the Montenegro Expedition Challenge in the northern mountains of the newest country in the world. Part of former Yugoslavia for the better part of the 20th century, blessed with the deepest gorge, the highest rainfall, the most southern fjord and some of the deepest snows in Europe, the incredible scenery presented a formidable challenge to the racers. Only 8 teams made it to the starting line at 2pm, a ski resort at 1450m in Biogradska National Park, near Kolašin. A lightning storm 3 days prior to the race meant the ski lifts were out of action, so the first stage started from the resort itself rather than from a peak, ascending steeply on fire roads towards the peaks. Separated by 3 minute intervals, the two 2-man teams raced away, followed in short order by the 4-man teams (no women had entered).

A short, sharp 5km climb to a saddle at 1800m, then over into the next valley, to Lake Biogradska at 1100m. This was when the fun started. Working from 40yr old military maps (the newest in existence), many teams immediately found navigating a challenge. Team Toyi-Toyi (UK) claimed they’d been spoilt by British OS maps, which are updated almost daily (?), but whatever the excuse, they took 35km to cover a 20km section. One of the Greek teams, Bleeding Nipples, went via the peak BEHIND the starting line, so clearly there was ‘fun’ to be had.

Two hours in, the first teams arrived at CP1 for a short zipwire ride, refuelled, and continued on bike along a new valley, towards the Sinjajevina plateau. Team 360 (Polish) was in the lead, followed by Xamos (Greek). In dribs and drabs, the other teams emerged, some already shaken by steep, technical descents thanks to their creative navigating, at least one team having unintentionally avoided the lake.

The route to CP2 at Ruzica wasn’t long, approximately 18km, but it was an unrelenting climb that initially followed tarmac then switched to rocky fire roads as it climbed. The Poles steamed on, but the gradient took its toll, and it was dark by the time they arrived at CP2. Toyi-Toyi, Bleeding Nipples and Greek Adventure Team (GAT) pushed their bikes up much of the climb, meeting the Serbian SAT team en route (returning from a dead end), while the Montenegrin Dracani team found themselves in last place. Even once they’d summited, the road continued to elicit curses and groans from the racers thanks to its rolling hills, and in an (unintentionally?) sadistic twist, the CP required hike-and-biking to reach its roaring fire. The Montenegrins realised they were out of their depth and called it a day, but at least knew the standard required for next year. CP2 was also the first opportunity to retrieve one of seven drop bags, and change to trekking. Continue Reading

We saw this video over at the Adventure Journal and couldn’t resist posting. We were in Ireland last year and were surprised to find out that Ireland is a top destination for surfing…now we see why!

Photo at top by Neil Cooney. For other images…click here!

The Adventure Racing World Series is coming to Switzerland for the most beautiful adventure race in the world.

The first edition of The APEX Race, (Alpine Expedition Race) will take place in the heart of the Swiss Alps between May 24-29th 2011.

Host venue is the beautiful city of Interlaken, also know as the “Adventure Capital of Europe”, situated right between the spectacular Lakes of Brienz and Thun, at the foot of the legendary trio of alpine peaks, the Eiger, the Mönch and the Jungfrau.

The APEX Race facts:

Host Venue: Interlaken, Switzerland
Dates: May 24-29th 2011
Type: 4 day non-stop adventure race
Series: Adventure Racing World Series
Disciplines: Trailrunning, trekking,
paddling (lake and river), mountainbike,
navigation and various adventure activities.
Competitors: Co-ed teams of four
Elevation gain: 10ʼ000 meters
Registration opens: January 10th 2011
Organizers: Untamed Adventure Racing

The APEX Race will challenge the worldʼs top endurance athletes and international adventure racing teams with a four-day, non-stop expedition race through the most scenic terrain in the world. To overcome this tremendous challenge, these passionate super athletes will have to show great determination and team-spirit, as they push the limits of human endurance.

The four person teams will navigate their way, (unassisted by GPS) by day and by night, through picturesque summer-green valleys as well as snow-covered peaks. Running, trekking, biking, climbing and paddling through the extreme Bernese Oberland, where the terrain can be a mans best friend or his worst enemy. The Apex Race is the longest nonstop endurance event in Switzerland. In addition, the course will also include a number of adventurous challenges supplied by the top adventure experience provider, Outdoor Interlaken.

“Our experienced team of organizers are increadably excited about the opportunity to showcase the distinct culture and natural beauty of Switzerland, through a World Series adventure racing event”, says race director Staffan Källbäck.

“Together with our great destination supporters, we are extremely proud to welcome all teams, spectators and media to The Apex Race Switzerland, the most beautiful adventure race in the world!”

For further information, please see www.theApexRace.com

The Rallye Aicha des Gazelles Returns and is Looking for More U.S. Participation

Welcome to Morocco!  Adventurers and athletes, have you ever wanted to travel through Morocco but do it competitively?  Well here is your chance… the most exciting and rewarding off-road motorsport event is celebrating its 21^st year.  The Rallye Aicha des Gazelles invites you to compete in a nine-day off-road rally race with 200 women from around the globe. From March 19^th through April 2^nd drivers and navigators together will have the chance to experience this quest.

Tradition navigational tools are removed from this event, making it more challenging then some of the most difficult off-road races in the world.  If you are looking for an adventure combined with the most amazing scenery and people, take a look at becoming a Gazelle.  Learn more by going to the website at www.rallyeaichadesgazelles.com.

You’re adventure awaits you…

RALLYE AICHA DES GAZELLES International Off-Road Rally Returns to Morocco for the 21^st Year

WHAT:

The Rallye Aicha des Gazelles is the only all-women’s off-road rally raid in the world.  The rally is a grueling test of driving skill and navigation across southern Morocco’s most beautiful and challenging terrain. The rally is unique whereby teams are not allowed technological assistance.  In the absence of GPS, communications and service crews, teams must find the shortest distance between the checkpoints over nine days of competition with only the aid of traditional navigation – compass, outdated maps, and plotters.  The event is an incredible test of endurance, patience, and teamwork, pushing competitors to their limits.

WHEN:

March 19^th – April 2^nd

*Deadline for registration is February 19^th, 2011. Early registration for discounted rates is September 30^th, 2010.

WHERE:

France and Morocco

WHO:

Over 110 teams are expected to compete in the event – including professional drivers, athletes, celebrities and adventurers from across the globe.

ABOUT THE RALLYE AICHA DES GAZELLES:

The Rallye Aicha des Gazelles was founded in 1990 by Dominque Serra and is managed by Maienga Communications, France.  In addition to being the only all-women’s rally raid in the world and a serious navigation test, the Gazelles Rally is known and respected for its non-profit organization, Heart of Gazelles.  Through broad reaching humanitarian efforts, the Heart of Gazelles brings aid to the region through extensive medical aid, support to orphanages and schools, sustainable development for villages, and job development for women.  The rally is recognized as the only motorsport event globally with ISO 14001 Certification, having adopted strict environmental and citizen-friendly mandates and commitments. To learn more, log on to www.rallyeaichadesgazelles.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kellan Van Hoesen

United States Media Liaison

kellan@soulsidenetwork.com

203.249.1340