Revision of Extreme North Dakota Spring Primer Adventure Race (END-SPAR) from Tue, 12/15/2015 - 09:19

May 7 2016

Race Summary:  The Extreme North Dakota Spring Primer Adventure Race (END-SPAR) - it's our annual sprint distance (8-10 hours) race designed to provide a means for those new to adventure racing to get their feet wet (and muddy and possibly blistered!) without committing to a longer race.  That said, it's no picnic.  
 
The 2014 and 2015 races (involving biking, hiking, orienteering, and rafting) took place in and around the Pembina Gorge, based out of Walhalla, North Dakota.  For 2016, we're moving back to where it all began--in and around Turtle River State Park, Larimore Dam, or Grand Forks, ND.
 
Besides being a great entry point into the sport of AR, it is also an opportunity for experienced teams to hone their skills for the coming season and/or develop new skills that will prepare them for longer races.  I like to think that when racers who are well acquainted with (and able to complete) the ENDracing series do other races they will happily realize that their ability to comfortably be 'out of their comfort zone' is more than a match for most events.
 
 
Details:
Date: May 7 2015.
Time: Start around 9 am, finish around 3 pm.
Cap: Race will be limited to 40 teams.  Teams receiving free entry WILL count towards this cap.  The race may fill up.  NOTE--there is no race day registration. You must register by May 5th to race.
 
Registration:  
  Dec 1-Feb 28 Mar 1-May 5
Team of 2 $120 $150
Team of 3 $180 $225
Team of 4 $240 $300
 
Location: Turtle River State Park, Arvilla, ND (or thereabouts)
 
Entry Includes:  Maps, all mystery challenge equipment, post race meal, prize drawing.  All racers will get a new but 'repurposed' hoo-rag (i.e. from a past event) as well as part of the deal--sweet!
 
Categories: The premiere category for adventure racing is 3 or 4 person coed.  All 3/4 person coed teams will be competing for the top podium honors.  We will also recognize top overall place and top places for all male teams and all female teams, in both 3/4 person and 2 person categories.
 
Disciplines:  Every race will include running/trekking, mountain biking (possibly including single-track), packrafting, and map and compass navigation (all mandatory points for END-SPAR will be pre-plotted). 
ENDracing does have several Alpacka Scout Models available for rent ($25 ea) for teams who don't want to get their own boats.  These can be reserved on a first come first served basis.
 
Scoring:  Teams collect a point for each checkpoint (CP) they visit during the course.  Some CP's are optional so that slower or less experienced teams can still complete the course by opting out of these as they see fit.  Teams are ranked based on score.  Teams with the same score are ranked based on finish time.
Refund Policy: Sorry, there are no refunds of your registration fee if the race happens.  In event of severe weather, a modified course may be offered on the same day or an alternate date chosen.  Registered racers unable to make the new date would be offered credit towards another ENDracing event in an amount equal to 75% of the registration cost.  If the event is canceled entirely due to weather or natural disaster, all registered racers will receive the 75% credit.  In the extremely unlikely event that the event is canceled for other reasons (lack of participant numbers, for example), full refunds will be provided, of course.
 
Past Races
Year Racers Results Photos Videos Race Reports Press
2015 18 teams Results        
2014 26 teams Results Wes Team ENDracing    
2013 36 teams Results Wes 12   12
2012 34 teams Results Photos 123 Maplelag  
2011 32 teams Results Photos Video    
2010 19 teams Results   12    
 
All profits from this event - and all ENDracing events - will help support Ground Up Adventures, a local North Dakota non-profit dedicated to bringing adventure to the region's youth and larger communities.