About High Adventure Racing

Adventure racing is an addictive sport sweeping the nation. Although various formats are used, an adventure race generally consists of a series of nonstop, multi-sport team events where competitors navigate a series of physical and mental challenges. Adventure racing can include and combine such diverse elements as running, hiking, climbing, rappelling, kayaking, cycling, orienteering, canoeing, in-line skating, deciphering clues and anagrams, tests of knowledge, and more. The idea is to push you beyond your normal limits, raise your adrenaline on a regular basis, have fun, and to pit yourself against multiple challenges to see what you’re made of.

High Adventure Racing™ was formed to provide extraordinary adventures for ordinary people, in both urban and backcountry settings. While most adventure racing companies cater solely to the testosterone-drenched, hard-as-a-rock, win-or-die, ingest-nutrition-bars-every-day physical types, we wanted to create something that anyone could participate in and enjoy. We envisioned families, couples, friends, and average Americans joining our monthly races, meeting new people and forging lifelong friendships, and experiencing events and situations that pushed them without breaking them or turning them off to the sport. That being said, we’re still big fans of the test-your-sanity type of racing for the most hardcore adventurers. So we decided to create ongoing races with multiple levels of difficulty to attract anyone with something to prove. Each of our races is assigned a level of difficulty to help participants decide if it’s appropriate for their level of ability.

Furthermore, we’re big fans of adding an element of mystery to the adventure. The details of all our races are kept a secret, and are only unveiled with clues throughout the race. When you join one of our races, you will know the level of difficulty and be given general guidelines, but you’ll have to decipher the clues as you go along to know how to complete tasks and finish the race.

On top of all the previously-mentioned fun, every race has its own prizes, swag, and bonuses to win.

Now that you know all about High Adventure Racing, are you ready to accept the challenge? Click here to learn about upcoming events.

Level of Difficulty


  • Level 1
  • Level 2
  • Level 3
  • Level 4
  • Level 5
Level 1

Description: These are the easiest races for beginners and are great family and date activities, and for people just getting introduced to the sport who may be hesitant to try anything too outlandish. This level places the least emphasis on physical strength and endurance. However, contestants should still be prepared for a real challenge relative to their level of ability and physical health.

General Age Guideline: 8-65

Time Required: 4-8 hours for one race.

Possible Race Elements: Driving, navigation, hiking, cycling, deciphering clues and puzzles, tests of knowledge, orienteering, geo-caching and searching for treasure, target and skeet shooting.

Level 2

Description: Our most common urban race, these are for mildly adventurous souls who can handle a full day of physical activity and adventure, and who have a fairly broad range of experience with sports and other physical activities.

General Age Guideline: 12-60

Time Required: 6-12 hours

Possible Race Elements (including those already outlined in previous levels): Running, in-line skating, canoeing, swimming, paintballing.

Level 3

Description: Moderately tough races for experienced and physically fit people.

General Age Guideline: 16-55

Time Required: 12-18 hours

Possible Race Elements (including those already outlined in previous levels): Horseback riding, kayaking, rappelling, motor sports, 4-wheeling, hot air ballooning.

Level 4

Description: Intense races for highly trained and skilled athletes. Think 2-3 days of The Amazing Race, with 2-3 times the physical activity.

General Age Guideline: 18-50

Time Required: 18-36 hours

Possible Race Elements (including those already outlined in previous levels): World travel, scuba diving, snorkeling, mountaineering, river rafting, canyoneering, bungee jumping, spelunking, sailing, snow sports, water sports, backpacking.

Level 5

Description: The most extreme and intense races for only the most seasoned veterans of the sport. Think hundreds of miles of the roughest backcountry terrain, days without sleep, multiple blisters and other wounds, suffering from cold, heat, water, hunger, sleep deprivation, exhaustion, traveling through foreign countries, etc. Yeah, it’s that cool. Contestants should be prepared for anything and everything.

General Age Guideline: 21-45

Time Required: 5-10 days

Possible Race Elements (including lower level elements): Skydiving, helicopter bungee-jumping. The biggest difference between Level 5 and Level 4 is the length of the race; Level 5 races are generally 2-3 times longer than Level 4 races.


If you have any further questions please visit our FAQ or Ask Us.