by Elizabeth Battaglia
Now in its fifth year, the Adventure Xstream Series is returning to Buena Vista and gearing up for another eventful – and extreme – race day. Three different disciplines are offered depending on the racer’s level of experience: the sprint, sport and adventure categories. Each one offers a challenge for every level of experience. All of them will test the competitor’s outdoor skills as a solo racer or as a team.
On May 14 Buena Vista will be opening its doors and hosting this event. Over 200 competitors are expected, coming from all different areas in Colorado and from many divergent backgrounds.
Will Newcomer, race director and owner of Gravity Play, states, “We chose Buena Vista as a venue for the Adventure Xstream Series due to the abundance of outdoor opportunities and terrain that exists in the area. The beauty of the Collegiate Peaks as a backdrop to the world class whitewater kayaking, single track trails and orienteering opportunities was a perfect fit for an adventure race.”
Adventure racing takes traditional multi-sport competitions and makes them extreme. The asphalt disappears, the course is unmarked and the terrain is full of surprises, leaving it up to the racers to find their own way. Maps and compasses are essential pieces of gear.
Most racers compete as a team, but divisions also exist for the solo male or solo female. Teams can be comprised of two-person co-ed, two-person open or four-person elite co-ed or open. Ingenuity, skill and fitness levels are essential parts of putting together a team.
The sprint category lasts from three to six hours made up of trail running, mountain biking and kayaking. This category is a great introduction to adventure racing. The whitewater portion of the course takes racers through class I and II rapids and covers around three to five miles. The mountain biking portion covers 13 to 15 miles of single track and jeep trails while the running portion is three to four miles long.
For a more challenging day, The Sport category lasts around 12 hours and also includes an orienteering and a 400-foot ropes course – called the Tyrolean traverse. Racers can expect longer mileage and also class II and III rapids. All kayakers must show an intermediate level of proficiency in paddling whitewater.
The adventure category lasts a grueling 24 hours. Made for the expert, the racer can also expect to encounter both night and day orienteering and a rogaine style trek. This category is for the seasoned veteran only.
The race courses for every category remains secret and each year is changed so returning competitors never know what to expect. Safety is a priority. Volunteers are placed at strategic spots to make sure all racers get through safely, along with over 30 checkpoints.
There is still plenty of time to register or to volunteer. All the information you need about gear required, the different courses, training programs, other event locations, check in times, race times, photos and video of past races and volunteer opportunities can be found at www.gravityplay.com. Hope to see you there.
An advocate of “doing as many things as possible in life,” Elizabeth Battaglia works as a woodworker, jeweler, bartender, residential cleaner and welder. In her spare time she loves to rock climb, hike, raft, x-country ski, snowboard and roller blade.
