The 11th annual Thunder Rolls Adventure Race will take place this weekend in at the YMCA Camp in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. The race, which is now in its 11th year, will get underway at midnight on August 24 and will feature both a 12-hour and 24-hour competition.

This unsupported, expedition style race will mix the usual AR disciplines of trail running, mountain biking and paddling. But it will also mix in plenty of orienteering of course, not to mention rappelling, caving and a few other activities. In short, it is everything you could hope for out of an adventure race that just so happens to take lace in the heartland of the U.S.

The race has managed to attract a sizable group of competitors already with 30 teams signed up for the 100-mile long 24-hour race and another 15 registered to compete in the 12-hour race, which is a mere 50 miles in length. The teams are made up of 2 or 3 racers and fall into both the coed and same-sex categories.

If you're looking for a last-minute weekend adventure, registration for the Thunder Rolls is still open. Entry fees are $195/person for the 12-hour race and $235/person for the 24-hour event. That includes onsite accommodations (cabin or campsite), pre-race meal and post-race pizza and drinks. canoe rental, all land-use fees, a North Face fleece race shirt and more.

Thunder Rolls takes place near my old stomping grounds back in the Midwest. I grew up in Iowa, so I'm always glad to see a successful event taking place near there. Race director Gerry Voelliger always does an excellent job as evidenced by the fact that this race has been going on for more than a decade and it continues to attract a great field of racers. A hearty congratulations to all involved and have another great event this weekend.

Light & Motion is a company that has earned itself a reputation for making excellent lights for cycling, diving and other outdoor activities. Their products are popular amongst backpackers, adventure racers and other outdoor athletes who require lightweight, comfortable and bright lights to see them through their adventures. Their products are tough, dependable and built to survive in the most difficult of environments.

In the past I've reviewed the Solite 150 and 250 headlamps and came away impressed both times. Those two products were exactly what you would hope for in a headlamp. They are lightweight, comfortable to wear, versatile  and incredibly bright. They also have outstanding battery life from a built-in USB rechargeable lithium ion power cell, lasting for hours on a single charge. The Solite 250 is so good in fact that it just might be the best headlamp I've ever used, which left me wondering how Light & Motion could possibly top it. Recently I had the opportunity to find out in the form of the new Solite 250EX, a product that has minor – but welcome – upgrades that refine an already great product even further.

In terms of performance, there is virtually no difference between the standard Solite 250 and the new 250EX. They both put out a stunning 250 lumens on their highest settings, which is blindingly bright when used in a very dark setting. Both weight 149 grams (5.2 ounces) and both feature six modes on their lights, including high, medium, low, pulse, SOS and camp/read. Each of those has a different level of brightness and the battery life depends on which mode you use at any given time.

Battery life is exactly where these two headlamps diverge in terms of performance. The 250EX clearly has a bigger power cell, as it is rated for 4 hours of battery life on its highest setting, while the 250 can only mange to muster approximately 2.5 hours. The EX also manages to best its sibling on every other power setting, providing much longer burn times at all levels of brightness. The downside of this larger power cell is that it takes much longer to charge as well. Taking as much as 8 hours to full charge when compared to 5 hours on the standard 250 model.



Cosmetically the 250EX has a slightly different appearance as well. While the standard 250 is bronze in color, the new model is an elegant white. At first glance, it is difficult to even tell the difference between the two lights when they are sitting next to one another, which is why Light & Motion elected to vary the appearance slightly I'm sure. Both lights have the same wide headband that is comfortable and stabilizing, holding the light in place even when you're running or riding a bike. Both version of the headlamp also have the ability to transform into a handheld torch by removing the battery pack and lamp from the headband and attaching them to one another. This is a nice touch for those who don't always want, or need, a head torch on their adventures.

The 250EX has an integrated battery life indicator that lets you know when it is time to charge it and red side lighting that provides a wider range of visibility. Those small, but useful touches, show how well Light & Motion knows its customers and market and caters to their needs nicely.

If you're in the market for a lightweight and powerful headlamp, you'll have a tough time finding anything on the market that beats any of the Solite offerings. Each of them is a real powerhouse, although they don't exactly come cheap. The new 250EX carries a price tag of $179, which is $30 more than its predecessor. Whether or not you feel it is worth the extra money totally depends on how much you'll need to use the light. If it is a gear item that you'll be using on a regular basis, then spending the extra dough is probably worth it for the extended battery. But if you're someone who needs an excellent headlamp on an occasional basis, then either the 150 or 250 will likely meet your needs.

The 250EX will likely appeal to adventure racers and mountain bikers in particular. The light is incredibly bright, can go a long time on a single charge and is comfortable to wear over an extended period. In short, an already great product has gotten even better and those who need this level of performance will not be disappointed.

A few weeks back I posted news that the Patagonian Expedition Race was in serious jeopardy and that if a sponsor didn't step up soon, the 2014 edition of the race was likely to not happen. Race manager Stjepan Pavicic felt that the event was not getting the support from the local community that it needed to stay solvent, despite the fact that his race brought a great deal of attention and money into the economy there. Yesterday Stjepan took to the PER Facebook page to announce that the race is indeed cancelled for 2014, while also giving us hope that it will return in 2015. 

Stjepan's statement is quoted in full below. Here's what he had to say:

Dear racers, followers and friends of the PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE,

A few weeks ago, we made a difficult decision that is very difficult for me to communicate, but I must. Finally though, after 10 years of consecutive editions, in February 2014 there will be no Patagonian Expedition Race. But this is not the end; this is just a brief pause. 

In this time, exploring the wildest side of Patagonia, nature has taught us many hundreds of life lessons and also taught us to keep moving, even through complicated geographical scenarios and very hostile weather conditions. But she also taught us to understand when it’s necessary to pause in the midst of the storm. Today it’s time for that pause. It’s time to rehydrate ouselves and to feed our spirit. To review our roadmap and adjust our course to make directly for Patagonian Expedition Race 2015! So, we’ll be back with more energy and new challenges. We’ll maintain the authentic format and stay true to the wild expedition race spirit of the Patagonian Expedition Race, The Last Wild Race.

I want to thank all those who have shared our passion and helped build the Patagonian Expedition Race: athletes, photographers, videographers, journalists, volunteers and professionals from various fields, companies and institutions. Together we have made a large multinational and multidisciplinary team with personalities from from over 30 countries. The wilderness has been our inspiration. 

Soon we will open registration for the 2015 edition. I invite you to dream that you will be part of the next Patagonia Patagonian Expedition Race, The Last Wild Race! 

Stjepan Pavicic

So there you have it, straight from the race manager's mouth. There will be no Patagonian Expedition Race for 2014 but they hope to come back stronger than ever in 2015. It will be said to see a void on the schedule for early next year, but at least their is optimism that this great race will continue on after a brief hiatus. It is one of the best races in the world and it is held in one of the best settings on the planet. Hopefully it will be back before we know it.

Thanks to my friend Bill Snyder for sharing this news with me.

I'm the first one to admit that my gear closet is packed full of far more stuff than the average outdoor enthusiast could ever need. Writing this blog has afforded me the opportunity to test a lot of great equipment and use it on my own personal adventures. But one item that I had been hoping to add to my collection for some time was an Ambit GPS watch from Suunto, a high tech piece of kit that is versatile enough to be used in everyday workouts, weekend treks or excursions to far flung destinations across the globe.

Before I say anything about this watch, it is important to point out that this review is based on the original Ambit, which I was able to grab at REI recently when they gave it a 25% discount following the release of the Ambit2. By most accounts, the Ambit2 takes the winning formula of its processor and refines it nicely, providing more functionality in a slightly slimmed down form factor. Since I haven't tested that model yet, I can only share my thoughts on the Ambit, which I must say lives up to its reputation as an excellent multi-functional watch for all of your outdoor adventures.

In its basic form, the Ambit is a sports watch and as such it has all of the functionality you would expect out of such a device. Obviously it tells time (in two locations no less), and includes day, date and alarm functionality, as you would expect. It also has a stopwatch, interval timers, a countdown timer and more. It is rugged enough to be used at altitudes extending beyond the summit of Everest and as much as 100 meters (328 feet). In short, it is everything you would expect out of an outdoor watch and more.

At the heart of the Ambit is a powerful GPS chip that interfaces with the other functions of the watch, providing all kinds of real time data to the wearer. For instance, when running or cycling, the GPS feed information about your current speed, distance, pace – all of which is helpful when training for an event. While hiking, the watch can mark waypoints and help you navigate back to them using its onboard mapping capabilities. These capabilities put a powerful outdoor computer on your wrist that can help you in a variety of ways, particularly if you're an avid outdoor athlete or your adventures take you regularly into the backcountry.

Of course, GPS watches are nothing new and there have been a number of excellent products from other companies for years. What sets the Ambit apart in my book is that its user interface is super easy to understand, making it a breeze to navigate through the dizzying array of options and put them to use. I was impressed with the UI on this watch and commend Suunto for doing such a great job in making it so simple to operate. The operating system that makes this possible is also easily updatable, which means the watch continues to be refined and improved long after its release. In fact, a new firmware update is due before the end of the month, showing Suunto's commitment to continuing to support this watch even though the Ambit2 is out.

One of the major improvements the new Ambit has over its predecessor is that it has more onboard memory to support more functions. But that said, the original Ambit has free space as well and the user can add functionality to the watch themselves by downloading "apps" of a sort from the App Zone at Movescount.com. That website it he only home for Ambit users, allowing them to upload data from their watch to track performance and improvements over time. It's a nice site and easy to use, but it would be nice if the Ambit data was able to be shared on other fitness sites that are used by more people and allow uploads from a variety of devices from different manufacturers.

Performance of the Ambit has been excellent overall, although it can be slow to connect to the GPS satellites at times. I've found it is best for that initial connection if you have an unobstructed view of the sky and don't move at all until after the watch achieves GPS lock. Once it does find the satellites however, the Ambit seems to hold that connection well and begins to quickly track your movements. It can "ping" the GPS satellites on a 1 second or 1 minute basis. The faster rate provides more accurate readings of course, but it also puts a bigger hit on the battery. There are times when both levels of accuracy are nice to have. For instance, when running you want very accurate readings of your distance but when hiking the 1 minute intervals are probably fine since you're moving a much slower rate.

Speaking of the battery, the Ambit features an internal rechargeable cell that can be powered up by connecting the watch to a USB port on your computer or some other charger. When used strictly as a watch, Suunto says it can go up to 30 days between charges, but since I haven't been using it just as watch, i can't confirm or deny that number. I have been using on almost daily runs with GPS on the entire time. My runs are between 5-10 miles in length and the Ambit was able to survive two weeks without need a recharge. I found that to be pretty solid performance all things considering. We know that GPS always strains a battery, but considering  how small the Ambit is and how much functionality it has packed in, it really is impressive that it can last that long.

This is just scratching the surface of what the Ambit is capable of. It also has built-in automatic GPS time checks, temperature and barometric pressure readings, current altitude and change in altitude recordings and a lot more. In fact, I could go on forever about all of the features of this watch, but the most important things to know is that it is tough, rugged and performs incredibly well. It is also very easy to use, which isn't always the case for a device with this many features in such a small form factor. Suunto has delivered a versatile piece of technology that outdoor athletes will love, and whether your "settle" for the original Ambit (now available for as little as $350) or the more powerful and slightly trimmer Ambit2 ($550), you not only get a great piece of gear to accompany you on all your adventures, you're getting a watch that will last for years as well.

For me, the wait for getting my hands on the Ambit was worth with it. It is a great gadget and performs beyond my expectations. After just a few runs I felt completely comfortable using it without thinking twice and as a result, I can't imagine heading out without it on my wrist.

The Patagonian Expedition Race has been a fixture on the adventure racing calendar for ten years. Over that period, the race has earned itself a reputation for being one of the toughest around while also earning rave reviews from athletes for the stunning courses that were created year in and year out. Now, it seems the future of the race is in serious jeopardy and the adventure racing community runs the risk of losing yet another classic expedition length event.

The news broke earlier today in a local Chilean newspaper (translation required). Race managers Stjepan Pavicic is suspending the race for 2014 due to lack of local support from the authorities in the Patagonia region. As you can imagine, putting on a race of this caliber on an annual basis, particularly in a remote setting, can be very difficult. From the sound of things, it seems Pavicic doesn't feel like his race is getting the support it needs to thrive. This is particularly disheartening considering the amount of exposure it brings to the region and the revenue it generates for the local economy.

Pavicic has said that he will wait until June 10 to make a final announcement on the fate of the race. The hope is that perhaps one or two of the sponsors will step up to lend a hand, or perhaps a new sponsor might be interested in joining the team. Barring some kind of miracle however, it now appears that there will be no Patagonian Expedition Race next year. He does say he'll reassess the situation in 2015 to see if it is viable to bring back the event at that time.

So?? Any outdoor-oriented companies out there looking for a little exposure want to step in and save this great race? I'm sure the race directors would love to hear from you.

I'm the kind of person who can't exercise on an empty stomach but also can't have anything too heavy before a workout either. As a result, I regularly find myself walking a fine line on when and what to eat in the lead-up to a run, bike ride or other intense aerobic workout. That's why I like to have some quick and easy pre-workout snacks that can provide the energy I need without filling me up. Recently I've had a chance to try two new, and very different, options in this department and I came away pleased with both of them.

Sharkies Energy Sports Chews
The first new option in my pantry are the tasty energy sports chews from Sharkies. These all-organic chews are designed to provide energy for our bodies for use in our favorite endurance sports. They provide a natural source of electrolytes, contain no trans fats or high fructose corn syrup. They also happen to be free of wheat, gluten and nuts, which means they are perfectly safe for those who have intolerances to any of those items.

The one thing these chews aren't lacking in is flavor. In fact, if I didn't know any better I'd swear these were gummy candies that you'd pick up from your local convenience store. That means they're sweet, tasty and good for you. They also happen to provide fuel for a workout without weighing you down in any way.

I've tested three different flavors of these chews – Watermelon Scream, Barry Blast and Fruit Splash – and it is a toss-up on which one I like best. I'm not even a big fan of watermelon flavored snacks, but these were a nice mix of sweet and tangy that I found I enjoyed quite a bit. The shark-shaped chews also have a nice consistency to them that makes them easy to enjoy as well. Other similar energy chews that I've tried in the past actually turned out to be a more challenging to eat than the actual workout itself.

Sharkies sells the chews in a box of 12 for $17.80, which works out to just $1.48 per pack. That's actually a very competitive price when compared to similar products on the market, many of which aren't nearly as tasty.

I've been munching on Sharkies prior to some longer runs recently and have been very happy with the results. Not only do they provide emergency fuel when I'm hungry before a workout but they do so without slowing me down in the least. The fact that manage to taste good while doing so is yet another added benefit.

Clif Bar Sierra Trail Mix Bar

By now, we're all familiar with the popular and ubiquitous Clif Bars. The company has been around forever and continues to refine their iconic energy bars. This spring they've introduced an interesting new flavor that is perfect for everything from a pre-run fuel-up or a mid-hike snack.

The new flavor is called Sierra Trail Mix and just like the iconic snack that it is named after, it contains plenty of peanuts, chocolate and raisins all in handy bar that you can carry with you anywhere. Like the other bars in Clif's line-up, this new addition is an excellent source of protein and fiber, contains 23 vitamins and minerals, but zero trans fats. That means it is a great source of quick energy when your batteries start to run a little low.

I have a confession to make. I haven't always been a fan of Clif Bar products. There were times in the past that I found them to be dry, hard to swallow and mostly tasteless. Those days are long gone however and now I find that I enjoy pretty much every flavor in the line-up. I can now add Sierra Trail Mix to that list too. This new flavor is everything you like about traditional trail mix, but in an easy to carry and eat package.

This new addition to the line-up is well worth taste. Pick some up where ever Clif Bars are sold, which is just about everywhere if your neighborhood is anything like mine.

Mark your calendars adventure racers. The 2013 Checkpoint Tracker National Championship is coming to Knoxville, TN October 10-12. As usual, the event will cap the Checkpoint Tracker adventure racing series and crown a national champion for the year.

This year's race will be a 30 hour event that will feature over 100 miles (160 km) of racing on a course that will include the usual trail running, mountain biking and paddling. But there will of course be a few new wrinkles added including cave trekking, orienteering and even shooting. The course is said to offer unprecedented access to the wilderness areas near Knoxville, offering up some surprises that will even surprise some of the locals.

Registration for the event is already open and if you register before June 7, your team will save $50/racer. With more than 30 teams already entered, the race already has some top contenders from across the U.S. And if you'd like a few tune-up races ahead of time, there are plenty of Checkpoint Tracker events taking place throughout the country this year.

Whether you're a veteran adventure racer or new to the sport, the CPT events are a great place to test your skills, meet other racers and experience some great outdoor environments. It's not too late to put a team together and enter a few races this summer.

One of the premiere adventure races in North America has announced its dates and locations for 2014, giving teams a full year to prepare for the event. A few days ago, race organizers for the Untamed New England Expedition Adventure Race announced that the 4+ day race will take place from June 17-22 and will be held in the 100-Mile Wilderness in Maine. This is one of the most remote and beautiful places in the eastern U.S. and a perfect place to hold a race. It is surrounded by dense forests, features miles of trail and has some of the most wild terrain imaginable.

The race will feature teams of 2, 3 and 4 competitors with the coed teams of 4 being the predominant category. They'll be trekking, mountain biking, paddling, white water rafting,  orienteering and climbing their way across a course that should be amongst the best ever offered by this popular and well known race. The top prize for the event has gotten more impressive as well. The winning team will take home $10,000 in prize money, double what the winners in 2012 won. Better yet, the race is part of the AR World Series and serves as a qualifier for the AR World Championships, which will be held in Ecuador next year.

Registration for Untamed New England 2014 will open on June 1.

Last week the Expedition Africa Adventure Race took place in South Africa, where 31 teams went head to head on a 550 km (341 mile) course that was specifically built to test their skills and push them to their physical limits. The event was part of the Adventure Racing Wold Series and is the only qualifier for the AR World Championships to be held in Africa his year. By all accounts, the race was an excellent one with fantastic trekking, mountain biking and paddling legs that really showed off the amazing landscapes of the host country. After more than four days of non-stop racing, Team Haglofs Silva of Sweden claimed the victory. Second place went to Team Technu Adventure Racing from the U.S. and Canada, who were about three hours behind the winners. Team Raidlight of France rounded out the podium.

My friend Lisa de Speville was on hand to cover the race from start to finish, which is no easy feat in and of itself. Lisa is a fantastic AR corespondent because she not only knows the sport inside and out, but is passionate about it as well. You can read her race recap here and catch the rest of her outstanding coverage here. If you're already a fan of adventure racing, you'll enjoy catching up with everything that went down during the race and you can learn a lot about team strategy, race logistics and so on as well.

Below you'll also find a video from the race directors that shares highlights from the event. It'll also give you a great idea of what the teams faced while out on the course. Having visited South Africa myself and seeing again here in this video, I have to say that it makes a fantastic location for an race like this one.

Looking to put a little adventure back into your life? Then you'll definitely want to add Adventure Sports Week to your calendar. The event will once again take place in Farragut State Park near beautiful Coeur d Alene, Idaho and offer outdoor athletes of all levels just about every type of competition they could possibly hope for.

This year, ASW will run from June 2 - 9 and will feature 20 different races for competitors to choose from. Those races include trail runs, mountain bike rides, triathlons, adventure races and more. Most of the events come in a variety of distances so whether you're new to these types of races or a grizzled veteran, you'll certainly have a challenge to take on. For instance, the popular "Beaches to Boulders" trail run offers distances of 5k, 10k and 9 miles, while the "Deepwater" includes 1/2 marathon, full marathon, 50k and 52 mile options. Other returning events include the Farragut "X" off-road triathlon and the always popular "Crux" and "Crucible" adventure races.

Registration is now open for all events and Adventure Sports Week is just a few weeks away. If you're looking for a fun way to kick off your summer, in a beautiful setting that is perfect for outdoor adventure, then be sure to checkout everything that ASW has to offer. It'll certainly be a week you won't forget.

Yesterday marked the start of Expedition Africa, a 550km (340 mile) adventure race that is taking place this week in South Africa. The race, which is the only qualifying event for the AR World Championship in Coast Rica, features coed teams of four running, biking and paddling their way through breathtakingly beautiful African backcountry. Don't believe me? Have a look at the video below which features some highlights from Day 1.

On Monday, Expedition Africa – a 500 km (310 mile) long adventure race – will get underway in the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa. The race will pit coed teams of four against one another in a non-stop, multi-sport AR event that is expected to take a minimum of three days to complete. As usual, the athletes will need to run, mountain bike, paddle and navigate their way through some remote and beautiful locations on their way to the finish line. The race is scheduled to run through May 12.

Fans of adventure racing will be able to follow the event live on the official website once the race commences on Monday. The race organizers will also be posting regular updates to their Facebook page as well. But if you want to read the best coverage available, it is likely to be found on the adventure racing site AR.co.za. The site belongs to my friend Lisa de Speville, who has a long track record of covering expedition length races. She'll be on site in the Drakensbergs next week to cover the race and will post reports to her webpage regularly. Lisa's race reports are always thorough, interesting and insightful, and as a fan of the sport, I'm already looking forward to what she has to say.

For those of you who are new to adventure racing or to Expedition Africa, Lisa has set up a page to describe the basics of the event which you can read here. She has also compiled a list of good online resources for keeping current with what is happening while the race is underway, which you'll find here.

Expedition Africa also happens to be part of the Adventure Racing World Series, which means that the 31 teams competing there will be looking to earn a qualifying spot at the AR World Championships to be held in Costa Rica later this year. It is the only adventure race held on the African continent to hold that distinction.

Good luck to all of the racers. Have fun and watch out for the sleep monsters!

The Gold Rush Expedition Race is one of the toughest adventure races in North America and last year my friend Brian Leitten was on hand to capture the experience on film. Over the weekend he released the first trailer for the full length movie, which you can check out below. It looks like another excellent AR film and if you happen to be in Cincinnati this week, it will be making its debut with a free screening at the University of Cincinnati's MainStreet Cinema. To find out more click here.

The video below is a few months old, but still worth sharing. It's for the outdoor athletes who occasionally need a reminder of why they are hitting the trail for that run or ride. It's for the person who is looking for a bit of extra motivation when its cold outside or its raining and yet they need something to push them out the door anyway. In truth, the video is a three-minute commercial from Nike, but by the end you'll be looking to lace up your shoes and go run a marathon. Uphill and in the snow.

We could use more commercials like this one.

I haven't written much about the 2013 edition of the Patagonian Expedition Race in large part because it has been difficult to get much information about what was happening. For a decade this has been the first big adventure race of the year and it is notoriously challenging with unpredictable weather always playing a role. This year was no different and we even had familiar faces at the top of the leaderboard.

For the fourth year in a row, Team Adidas-Terrex Prunesco has claimed victory in Chile. The team, which is made up of Mark Humphreys, Nick Gracie, Sally Ozanne and Chris Near, crossed the finish line yesterday after nine days of non-stop racing. They beat out ten other teams, most of which are still out on the course. It appears that Team Eastwind will claim second place today.

It seemed that the only way to follow the race this year was on Facebook and Twitter. The website for the event has typically provided live tracking, an up-to-date leaderboard and regular news posting on what was happening out on the course. Those things were absent this time out, which made it a lot more challenging to figure out what was going on. Hopefully next year's version of the race will bring those tools back for us fans to follow.

Congrats to the champs once again. It seems that over the past few years they've made Patagonia their home turf. Well done!

Last year, the all-femaile adventure racing team of Ducati Bicycle Rideaway made history when they not only competed in, but completed the AR World Championship in France. That was a first for a team consisting entirely of women. This year, the girls are back and aiming to do it all over again in the ARWC to be held in Costa Rica this November.

The team, which now goes by the name of AdventureOfSweden.com, consists of Jeanette Aviander, Carolina Andre, Kristina Carling and Linnéa Grahn, is the only all-girl team competing in Europe and is one of the few in the world. Traditionally in the sport of adventure racing, the coed teams consist of three men and a single woman. Occasionally those numbers shift to two men and two ladies and rarely do teams have a single male racer with three females. A squad entirely made up of women is practically unheard of.

Despite this gender discrepancy however, these four women simply love racing with one another and are looking forward to competing at the ARWC again this year. When they do go to Costa Rica to compete, they'll be followed by adventure filmmaker Randy Ericksen who will document their race from start to finish. That should definitely prove to be an interesting film.

Good luck girls!

The Untamed New England Expedition Race has been a fixture on the adventure racing calendar in North America for a number of years, offering one of the premiere events in the U.S. This year, race organizers are doing something a little different, electing to shift away from the longer event in favor of a 24-hour race that can be completed on a single weekend.

Scheduled to take place June 21-23 at the Sugarloaf Ski Resort in Maine, the 24-Hours of Untamed New England will feature plenty of trail running, mountain biking, paddling and orienteering. Additionally, a 6-hour long race, dubbed the Sugarloaf Solo, will give those new to the sport an opportunity to compete as well. That event runs parallel to the 24-hour race on June 22. Registration is open for both events and you can find out more by clicking here.

The shorter format of both of these races is great for teams who are just starting out in adventure racing. If you're looking to get your feet wet in the sport, this is a great opportunity. All of the Untamed events are put on by a great race staff who have created some absolutely legendary courses. I'm sure these two races will be no exception. Those who prefer the longer, expedition length events can rest easy. The traditional 4-day Untamed NE will return in 2014, bigger and better than ever.

The 2012 adventure racing season isn't finished quite yet. On Wednesday of this week, the Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania  Challenge will get underway, pitting some of the best endurance athletes in the world against one another on five-day stage race that will cover more than 350 km (217 miles) of Australian wilderness.

Like most other adventure races, the Tasmania Challenge pits teams of two or three against one another  on a wilderness course that they will need to run, mountain bike and paddle through. Other challenges will crop up on a daily basis as well, pushing racers to their limit by testing their skills at navigation, climbing and a variety of other activities. And since this is a stage race, each of the five days will have a clearly defined start and finish line, which makes it easier for fans to follow along at home. Look for live tracking and regular updates from each stage to begin appearing on the race website on Wednesday.

The race is put on by F1 driver Mark Webber, who also happens to be a big fan of adventure racing. It is designed to be used as a fund raiser for charities in Australia and 100% of the proceeds generated from the race are given to those causes. This year the money will go to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal, a group dedicated to helping find a cure to a rare strain of transferrable cancer that afflicts that species.

All the action gets underway on Wednesday morning local time and runs through Sunday when a champion is crowned.