More than just a race

CORINTH -- As they lugged their kayaks and canoes out of Harris Lake in eastern Chatham County late Saturday morning, the teams in the Bushwhack Adventure Race had a lot to do in a very short time.

Having just completed several hours of paddling in the rain, the racers scarfed down some food while consulting a map to figure out where to go next.

Next turned out to be a four-mile jog to a boat ramp on the Cape Fear River, which eventually would lead to many more hours of paddling, biking, hiking, orienteering and even some rope traversing.

If this sounds mentally and physically exhausting, that's the point. Adventure racing is designed to test athletes' physical limits and their ability to navigate woods using only a map and compass.

"You're literally racing through the woods with your friends," explained Patrick Downie, 38, of Apex, the course designer and one of the organizers of this weekend's Bushwhack races.

A total of 160 competitors signed up for the 24-hour, 12-hour and 8-hour Bushwhack races near Harris Lake that finished Saturday evening at Camp Agape in Harnett County. In each, teams were given coordinates they had to plot on a map. The goal for each team was to earn points by visiting as many of the locations as possible without exceeding the allotted time. Teams lost points for every minute they were late.

With no set route to complete the race, winning teams had to be both fast and good navigators.

"You could get first place or you could get sixth place depending on the decisions you make," said Rob Ward, 38, of Raleigh, who competed in the 24-hour race as part of the Local Knowledge team. "That's what makes it fun."

The race drew teams from around the Southeast and as far away as New York and Connecticut.

The 24-hour race, part of a nationwide circuit of adventure races, began at 7 p.m. Friday and covered 105 miles. That meant the teams were riding mountain bikes in the woods guided only by headlamps and paddling on the lake in the middle of the night.

Adventure racers tend to be adrenaline junkies who love the outdoors.

"I've always liked to push myself outside," said Sean Butler, 39, of Pittsboro, who competed in the 24-hour race.

Many racers are former triathletes who prefer adventure racing's laid-back atmosphere and the fact that it is a team sport. Each team must start and finish with the same number of competitors.

'Anything can happen'

Teams also must rely on support cars to take their bikes, canoes and kayaks to different points along the course. The support car also carries supplies to keep racers hydrated and fed throughout the day.

"You feel like you're an integral part of the process without having to do all the work," said Stacey Veit, 27, of Charlotte, whose fiancé was competing in the 12-hour race.

Many racers will eat just about anything during the race to keep their energy levels up. Mike Hutsel, 27, of Atlanta, said his team's snacks included oatmeal cream pies, gummy bears, chicken nuggets and soup.

"We're not a team that has a standard nutrition plan," Hutsel said.

Butler said his secret weapon is eating chocolate-covered espresso beans at 4 a.m.

If there is an adventure racing ethos, it is that you always keep racing no matter how tired you are or how many wrong turns your team takes.

"Anything can happen, so never give up," said Peter Jolles, 34, of Atlanta, who competed in the 24-hour race as a member of the CheckPoint Inov-8 team.

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