Raid the North represents the true
spirit of adventure racing. These unique races are famous the world
over for offering an awe-inspiring wilderness challenge amongst the
rugged and diverse backcountry of Canada.
Since 1998, Raid the North events have been designed to showcase
the natural highlights of the host region environment. From the wild
mountain terrain of Alberta and British Columbia, the vast matrix of
lakes and rivers in Ontario’s shield country, to the rolling hills
and rushing water of Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, Raid
the North has featured it all. What keeps the Series’ cult following
coming back each season, is the thrill of the journey in the next
host region.
WHO RACES?
A Raid the North team is coed group of four people. Some
participants have endurance sport backgrounds but MOST who
take on Raid the North are outgoing, adventure enthusiasts JUST
LIKE YOU who have a passion for taking on a new challenge.
WHAT DOES A RAID THE NORTH RACE ENTAIL?
Traditional adventure racing involves teamwork, strategy, route
selection, nutritional planning, and sleep deprivation. To capture
these elements in a weekend event, Raid the North is designed as a
24-36 hour race.
While on course, your team will paddle, mountain bike, and trek
(…and sometimes swim, raft, or negotiate fixed ropes) through a
series of checkpoints until your complete teams reaches the finish
line. A typical distance covered by a finishing team is around
130-150 km; although we do offer an additional, advanced section to
cater to the highly competitive teams.
Not all teams reach the finish line however – first-timers and
experienced teams alike. The finish line is a VERY small part
of the Raid the North experience. It is the journey, going further,
digging deeper, and inspiring your teammates to push a little longer
that create the indelible memories that last a lifetime. This is the
nature of the sport and is what keeps people coming back to race
again and again.
WHY IS RAID THE NORTH UNIQUE?
The impetus behind Raid the North was to create learning through
adventure. Each racecourse is designed as a journey, where the
natural challenges provided by the landscape are all that stand
between your team and the finish line. Contrived challenges or
out-and-back, mandatory routes for the sake of adding difficulty are
NOT in the spirit of Raid the North.
CAN I REALLY DO THIS?
ABSOLUTELY!!! Raid the North is as much a starting place in
adventure racing as is the Salomon Adventure Challenge Series.
Remember, from the early 1980’s to the start of the new millennium,
people from all walks of life got their start in adventure racing
within the expedition-style framework. Raid the North offers a
vastly different experience than does the Salomon AC sprint-style of
race. If the more traditional form of adventure racing is what
you’re after, then Raid the North is for you!
*KEY STAT – The winning team in any Raid the North event has
a slower kilometre / hour traveling rate than does the last team to
cross the Salomon Adventure Challenge finish line. RtN is done at a
SLOW PACE!
NEXT STEPS
Please read through the many pages within the Raid the North and AR
Resources sections of our site. We pride ourselves on providing as
much information from experience as possible so that your team gets
the most out of your Raid the North race. Pages such as ‘Getting
Started in AR’, ‘Preparing for a Race’, and ‘Training Tips’ help in
the early stages while the newly updated and inspiring ‘Photo
Gallery’ will keep your thirst for adventure at a high.
So pick a race, grab three friends, and we’ll see you at the start
line!
Real Wilderness. Real Navigation. Real Adventure.
2006 SEASON SCHEDULE
