Adventure racing is a year-round sport …

So expect to be training and racing come hail, rain or shine. Wrap up warm and get out jogging and cycling in cool, crisp weather. It will stand to you come race day.

Quest adventure races consist of cycling, running and kayaking …

So it’s best to train in all disciplines where you can. You’ll often excel at one or if you’re lucky two disciplines, but it’s always good to ensure you’re well versed in all three before race day. Even if it just means familiarising yourself with kayaking and the key techniques involved.

There are different race distances to choose from …

Based on your fitness levels and experience. You can try the Challenge, Sport or Expert course (short, medium, or long). You may opt to try Challenge on your first run out to familiarise yourself with the racing process. Or you may just go head-on into an Expert race.

Adventure racing isn’t like other sports …

Where people are hyper-competitive – the vibe is super friendly with everyone happy to share knowledge and advice. Ask questions even if they seem wild or stupid. Odds are someone has asked the same questions before.

Any level of fitness ability can do an adventure race …

Yes you read that right.  Hear adventure races and you hear  the super fit – those friends and colleagues that seem to run to work, run at lunch and then run home. But adventure racing can be for all fitness levels. There are amazing programmes available whether it’s couch to Quest, an 8 week or 12-week programme, or just a case of upping the ante in the gym, getting out jogging more regularly in the lead up or going that extra mile on the bike at the weekend. All this will help you get across the line on race day. So see what programmes are out there and which suits you best. There are lots of resources available here.

Grab a friend, get training and go on an adventure.  

Thank you to Girl Outdoors Fiona Donnellan for the original version of this article.