Georgia Magazine

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do factor into how a team might place at the race's finale. For
example, if a team finishes in seven hours with 20 completed
checkpoints, and another team finishes in seven hours and
15 minutes with 22 completed checkpoints, the second team
would win.
Some teams may be more concerned with finishing the
race before the time limit (or having enough energy to finish at
all), so if they are falling behind or think that a section of mountain biking is too difficult, it might be better to skip that task
rather than not finish because of a broken bike chain or possible
wreck. This allows teams of different levels to race in the same
event. Those who are successful earn finisher's medals, and the
top three teams in each division are awarded trophies.
To help foster participation, AR Georgia races don't require
mixed-gender teams (like the Eco-Challenge), so all-male, allfemale and coed teams can compete, as can individuals.
AR Georgia's 12-hour Blairsville Extreme Adventure Race
(BEAR) is held in Blairsville, near Georgia's highest mountain
peak (Brasstown Bald at 4,784 feet). Teams are bused to a secret
location nearby in the morning and then work their way back to
town during the day. Racers navigate 20 to 30 miles of mountain
biking, 5 to 8 miles of trekking and 4 to 8 miles of canoeing.
Blue Ridge Adventure Race Weekend, set to mark its
25th anniversary in May 2022, features two races around the
beautiful mountain town of Blue Ridge. An eight-hour race
explores several of the best parts of the renowned Aska Trail
System of hiking and biking trails and a paddle on the Toccoa
River. The 24-hour race in the Cohutta Mountains includes
some of Georgia's best bike trails along the Pinhoti Trail.
For both Blue Ridge races, teams are bused to a secret
location and then work their way back to town, finishing at
Grumpy Old Men Brewing.
The eight-hour, three-sport Blue Ridge Adventure Race is
ideal for " sport " (the next step up from beginner) and family
teams that are new (or relatively new) to the sport. Distances are
always based on team abilities and speed, but the race involves
20 to 30 miles of mountain biking, 5 to 8 miles of trekking and
4 to 8 miles of canoeing.
The 24-hour race also provides flexibility for team abilities
and speed. Generally, competitors can expect 60 to 70 miles of
mountain biking, 20 to 25 miles of trekking and about 15 miles
of canoeing.
" [AR Georgia] puts on amazing, fun races, and safety is
always their No. 1 priority, " says Rachel Witkiewicz, a Canton

All-male, all-female and coed
teams as well as individuals
can compete in AR Georgia
events. Some teams also
include young racers.

resident and adventure racer.
Witkiewicz started racing in 2017 at the eight-hour Blue
Ridge Adventure Race and was immediately hooked. She competes with the all-female 3 Bike Moms team and also races with
her 11-year-old son, Jake. She says that seeing the Leiningers
racing together for a long time inspired her to race with Jake.
" I love mountain biking and hiking, and I was a whitewater
raft guide and kayaker, so an adventure race that included all
three disciplines sounded like a great time, " Witkiewicz says.
" AR Georgia's Blue Ridge race was our first race, and it's still my
favorite. The terrain is challenging and beautiful, there are lots of
options, and the paddle sections are fantastic. "
Other AR Georgia adventure and ultramarathon races
include the Fort Yargo Ultra in Winder; the Hogback Adventure
Race in Ocoee, Tenn.; The Cauldron at Florida's Suwannee River;
and the Blue Ridge Ultra and Endurance Hunter 100 Trail Run in
Blue Ridge, among others. (See sidebar below.)
" We were very fortunate last year to only have to cancel two
events due to COVID-19 restrictions, " Race Coordinator Tracey
Brower says. " Local authorities recognized how important
outdoor recreation was to people, and we were able to put on
almost all of our events. "
Whether it's in Fiji or in Georgia, adventure racing has
captured the imagination and grit of many.
" If you are interested [in trying the sport, just] find a race
and go for it! " Quattlebaum says.
Lynn and Cele Seldon are travel journalists based in
Beaufort, S.C., and are coauthors of the bestselling book " 100
Things to Do in Savannah Before You Die " (Reedy Press, 2020).

Upcoming AR Georgia events
* Fort Yargo Ultra, June 5, Winder. 50K, 25K and 15K trail runs.
* Hogback Adventure Race, Aug. 14-15, Ocoee, Tenn. 24-hour
adventure race with whitewater rafting.
* Blairsville Extreme Adventure Race (BEAR), Sept. 25, Blairsville.
12-hour adventure race.
* Blue Ridge Ultra, Oct. 9, Blue Ridge. 50K, 30K and 15K trail runs.
* Florida's Sea to Sea Expedition Race, Feb. 24-27, 2022,
St. Augustine, Fla. Race starts on the Gulf Coast near Cedar Key and
ends in St. Augustine on the Atlantic Coast.
* Catherine's Adventure Racing Extravaganza, March 2022,
DeLand, Fla. Four- and 10-hour adventure races.
* Endurance Hunter 100 Trail Run, April 2022, Blue Ridge. 100- and
50-mile runs.
* The Cauldron, October 2022, on and near Florida's Suwannee River.
10-hour and 30-hour race options.
For more information and additional races, visit argeorgia.com.

June 2021

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http://www.argeorgia.com

Georgia Magazine - June 2021

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Georgia Magazine - June 2021 - 18

Georgia Magazine - June 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - June 2021