Overview

In Partnership with Three Rivers Park District, the 23rd annual MNOC Summer Adventure Race is scheduled for July 11, 2026. The all new race venue is located on the west side of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. More specific details will be available as we get closer to race day.

Three (to four) and eight-hour options are offered for solo racers or teams of 2, 3 or 4. Solo racers must be 18 years old with demonstrated experience. Under 18 must be with their legal guardian. This event is part of the Wisconsin Adventure Racing Series and will be sanctioned by the USARA.

What is Adventure Racing?

Adventure racing is an off-road multidisciplinary sport that involves biking, paddling, running/trekking, and other special challenges, all while navigating with a map and compass (GPS is not allowed). It is a team sport in which groups of 2-4 racers must stick together for the duration of the entire event and cross the finish line together. While some races do allow soloists, the premier division is usually comprised of 3-4 person mixed gender teams.

Every race course is different. Teams might do each discipline multiple times throughout a race and the order in which they are required to do them varies from race to race. Most often the official race course is kept a secret until the morning of the race, when racers arrive and are given maps detailing the locations (check points) they must navigate to, which order they must find them in, and which disciplines they will need to do during the event.

Races are measured in hours instead of miles, as the exact route each team takes will be different depending on their navigation. In order to win, a team must reach the most check points in the shortest amount of time, however, some race courses are designed so that no team will be able to obtain all of the check points and all teams will be racing the full duration of the allotted time. Shorter “sprint” adventure races can last anywhere from a few hours up to 24-48 hours of continuous racing, usually without sleep. Longer “expedition” length races are typically 3-7 days of non-stop “on the clock” racing, and it is here that sleep strategy becomes critical.

Adventure racing is unique in that racers must be proficient in may different disciplines, and strength and speed are not the only factors determining the race outcome. Elements of strategy, navigation, route choice, outdoor survival skills, knowledge of local terrain, and teamwork are equally important. Adventure racers are a unique group of people in that the fiercest competitors are often very close friends. The adventure racing community is both welcoming and supportive, and you’ll often find more experienced racers helping new teams out both on and off the race course.

What to Expect

• Navigational challenges including a variety of terrain and multiple maps and map types.

• MNOC supplied canoes and kayaks.

• Excellent race support and monitoring.

• Post-race picnic with awards and raffle prizes.

Courses

This event offers a 4 hour and an 8 hour option as noted below:

4-Hour – This is a great option for new and/or experienced adventure racers looking for the full adventure race experience in a more relaxed, family friendly setting. While many teams will likely "clear the course" in 3 hours or less, this course will remain open for up to four hours to give teams that need more time to try and clear as much of the course as they are able or want to. The focus is on navigation and adventure racing fun! This option is designed to be family-friendly with consideration of the distances listed below. E-Bikes WILL be allowed and will be listed in a separate results category.

We expect most teams to take 3 hours or less to clear the 4-hour course this year, however, based on the Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge model, we want to give teams that need more time the option to try and clear as much of the course as they want to, so we are keeping this course open for 4 hours.

• Bike: 9-15 miles (gravel, hard surface, and optional singletrack)

• Trek: 2 – 6 miles

• Paddle: 1.5 – 3 miles

8-Hour – This option is ideal for experienced racers, or for new competitors who are feeling more ambitious. The course is designed so not all teams will "clear the course." Teams will have to manage their time and make strategic decisions.

• Bike: 20-30 miles (gravel, hard surface, and singletrack)

• Trek: 5 – 15 miles

• Paddle: 2 – 5 miles

Schedule

8-hour Race Start: 9:00 am

4-hour Race Start: 1:00 pm

Course Closure: 5:00 pm

More schedule and location details will be posted in future Race Updates on this website.

Race Headquarters

The actual Race Headquarters location will be posted Late May/Early June. Check this website for Race Updates. For the purposes of planning housing and time schedules, Headquarters will be located within a 30 mile radius of Excelsior, MN. More details will be provided in future race updates.

Paddle Drop

Personal paddle gear will need to be dropped off at the paddle transition area. Location and schedule to be posted at a later date.

Bike Drop

Bikes will need to be dropped off at the bike transition area. Location and schedule to be posted at a later date.

Important Documents for Participants

• Medical Information and Waiver (Each participant must sign and submit this form at the time of check-in. Download the form and bring it with you to check-in. Blank forms will also be available at check-in.)

Race Updates/Race Rules

Check back here for periodic important race details, instructions, and information.

Important Boat Information

Boats, paddles, and pfd’s will be provided and are included in the registration fee. (Racers may not bring their own boats. Racers may bring their own paddles and pfd’s if desired). Canoes are traditional 16-17 ft recreational canoes.

Boat Requirements

• Solo: Kayak

• 2-3 people: one canoe

• 4 people: two canoes (families with smaller children may ride four per boat)

Mandatory Gear

Be sure to read our Mandatory Gear List. Participants will not be allowed to participate unless they bring this equipment and the required forms.

Teammate Finder

Need help finding a team? Check out the Wisconsin Adventure Race Series Teammate Finder!

Volunteer

MNOC events are volunteer driven. We have several opportunities/duties available for volunteer participation. If you are not into participating, please consider helping MNOC put on a great 2026 event by signing up to volunteer. If you know others who may enjoy volunteering (or participating), please pass the word.

Meet Our Sponsors

Thank you to the sponsors of the 2026 Adventure-O! See our sponsors here.

Pricing

• Early pricing good through June 14 at 11:59 pm

• Late pricing kicks in June 15

• Prices are per person

• *“Family Team” special price - for teams of 2-4, all team members must be from the same household. The Family discount is $50 per person. At least one team member must be under the age of 18. To receive a Family discount coupon code valued at $50 per person, prior to registering, contact the race director by email at daniels.j55@gmail.com.

• Entrants below the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian

Early Pricing good through June 14, 2026

4-Hour (per person) - $99

*4-Hour Family (per person) - $49

8-Hour (per person) - $130

Late Pricing June 15 -  July 5, 2026

4-Hour (per person) - $130

*4-Hour Family (per person) - $80

8-Hour (per person) - $160

Registration Deadline: July 5, 2026, 11:59PM

Refund Policy

There is a $30.00/person non-refundable deposit when registering for a MNOC Adventure-O event. All teams are subject to the following refund schedule; there are no exceptions.

• Full refund less the $30 non-refundable deposit, up to 30 days before the race.

• No refunds within 30 days of the race date.

Registration Instructions

Register at EventReg by registering each member of the team. The first team member will enter their team name. Additional team members should select that team name from a dropdown list. Teams are not considered registered until payment is received in full for all members, and all members have completed the waiver during registration. Teams may change categories between 2, 3, or 4-person, as long as there is available space (boat availability) in the event. Teams that have teammates who fall ill or cannot participate due to unforeseen events are expected to find replacement teammates or compete with fewer teammates. Team name and teammates may be changed up to race-day check-in. Contact the race director at daniels.j55@gmail.com to make changes.

For Solo Registrants, use the same registration procedure noted above, including a team name. You will be registering as a team of one person.

Registration Note – If you are not an OUSA member, register using the "Enter Data Manually" option. You do NOT need to be an OUSA member to register for this event.

USARA Membership – Because this event is affiliated with and sanctioned by the US Adventure Race Association, all participants must have either an annual USARA membership ($35) or a single-event license ($8). You may purchase these memberships via a link that is supplied in the registration form. If you are purchasing a single-event license, on the "select your members" page (with the waiver at the bottom) be sure to uncheck the "start membership immediately" button and select the date of your race. Please bring proof of membership to Race Check-in on race day.

Race Management

Race Director: John Daniels (daniels.j55@gmail.com)

Setter/Vetter Team: Brett Young, John Daniels, others

Registrar: Philip Stromme

Sponsorship Coordinator: Pete Wentzel

Website and Promotion: Sean Casserly

Last Year's Results, Photos, and Summary

**Click here to view 2025 Race Day results, summary, photos, and more.**