Explore every episode of the podcast The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast

Just hours after winning the ARWS 2024 World Championship, thank you to ARWS 2024 World Champions Team400 - Sébastien Raichon, Sandrine Berange, Adrien Lhermet, and Benjamin Fayety - along with Race Director Santiago Lopez for coming onto this special flash episode of The Dark Zone. Hear as they overcame adversity, worked together, and ultimately captured the world championship.

Thank you for being a listener. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in helping elevate the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

https://arworldseries.com/

https://live.enabledtracking.com/ARWC2024/

https://proyectoaventura.com/site/13/livearwc24

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

Thank you to Race Director Santiago Lopez for coming onto the show to reveal and discuss the 2024 ARWS World Championship Race Course. This conversation is being released at the very start of the race so that fans, dotwatchers, and at-home teammates can get a sense of this challenging and rugged race course. See the tracking link below.

Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

TRACKING LINK - https://live.enabledtracking.com/ARWC2024/

https://www.arworldseries.com/races/huairasinchi-arwc-2024-ecuador

https://proyectoaventura.com/public/site/13/home_arwc24

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

Vermont Adventure Racer Megan Moir, known for her hard work, effort, and positive attitude, is one of the more frequently requested "Hey, can you bring her on the show?" guests that TDZ hears about. In Episode 107, Megan shares her athletic background, entry into the sport, and how she has grown as an adventure racer. We were delighted to have her on the show. Enjoy!

Megan's Palmeres:

1st Place - 2-Person Coed - The Longest Day

1st Place (Tie) - Solo - Tug Hill

4th Place - 2-Person Coed - The Hard Fall

2024: Completed Five Races (and lived to tell about it) - Tug Hill, The Longest Day, The Hard Fall, USARA Nationals, and Two Rivers AR.

Expedition Race Experiences:

Endless Mountains 2022 - Finished

Endless Mountains 2023 - All mandatories and some optional checkpoints

Endless Mountains 2025 - Returning for another go at it!

Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

www.endlessmountainsar.com

https://tughilloutfitters.com/tug-hill-extreme-adventure/

https://www.rootstockracing.com/two-rivers-adventure-race.html

https://www.usara.com/national-championships-2024

https://www.gmara.org/races/hardfall/

https://ardarkzone.com/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

Thank you to Mary Foster, Alyssa Godesky, Wayne Leek, Greg Prouty, and Race Directors Brent Freedland and Abby Perkiss for joining TDZ for an in-race flash episode live from the race course. It's been a great, fast race and their analysis/thoughts help everyone at home get a sense of the race so far.

Thank you for being a listener. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in helping elevate the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

TRACKING LINK - https://live.enabledtracking.com/rivers2024/

www.usara.com

https://www.rootstockracing.com

https://ardarkzone.com/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

Thank you to Abby Perkiss and Brent Freedland of Rootstock Racing for coming onto the show to reveal and discuss the 2024 USARA North American Championship Race Course. This conversation is being released at the very start of the race so that fans, dotwatchers, and at-home teammates can get a sense of this challenging and rugged race course. See the tracking link below.

Thank you for being a listener. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in helping elevate the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

TRACKING LINK - https://live.enabledtracking.com/rivers2024/

www.usara.com

https://www.rootstockracing.com

https://ardarkzone.com/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

TDZ is happy to support The Checkpoint presented by the United States Adventure Racing Association through this crosspost of their Episode #6. Thank you for being a listener and thank you for supporting USARA.

Episode Details Below:

Welcome to Episode 7 of USARA's The Checkpoint Podcast.

In this episode, Brent introduces the Two Rivers Adventure Race. A Rootstock Racing event, Two Rivers is the ARWS North American Championship Race with the winning team earning a free spot to the 2025 ARWS World Championship in British Columbia.

Brent then speaks with Jen Segger and Jill Mooney about their partnership around nutritional strategies for adventure racers and all athletes. They go deep into the science of the stomach, how to avoid a 'sloshy gut,' and what good food choices look like. This is a great episode for anyone looking to nail their nutrition.

Thanks to Brian Gatens of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast for his assistance.

Be sure to visit the United States Adventure Racing Association at www.usara.com

Thank you for stopping by The Checkpoint. Don't stay here too long. There's training and racing to get to!

Shownotes:

https://www.jensegger.com/

https://barrultra.com/nutrition-with-jill/

www.rootstockracing.com

https://www.usara.com/

www.ardarkzone.com

Thank you to Glyn Sadler for coming onto the show. From his years as a Royal Marine Commando to tackling a Trans-Atlantic Rowing Race, Glyn has many lessons for the adventure racing world. Glyn goes deep on his mindset, preparation, teamwork, and all the pieces necessary for a full ocean crossing (including turning down mid-race offerings from a well-meaning party boat!)

Thank you for being a listener. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in helping elevate the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

http://www.adventurespermare.co.uk

https://www.rannochadventure.com/

http://www.worldstoughestrow.com

https://ardarkzone.com/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

Thank you to Liz and Michelle Faucher of Adventure Addicts Racing for coming onto the show to reveal and discuss the 2024 USARA National Championship Race Course. This conversation is being released at the very start of the race so that fans, dotwatchers, and at-home teammates can get a sense of this challenging and rugged race course. See the tracking link below.

Thank you for being a listener. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in helping elevate the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

TRACKING LINK - https://live.enabledtracking.com/usara2024/

www.usara.com

https://www.adventureaddictsracing.com/

https://ardarkzone.com/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

Thank you to Lyndie Hill and John Ford of Expedition Canada for coming on the show to discuss the ARWS 2025 World Championship in British Columbia. They go deep about the race location, the beauty and challenge of the area, being good Canadian hosts, and their race design philosophy. This episode has just enough beta to whet your racing appetite. Follow the links below for registration information.

Thank you for being a listener. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in helping elevate the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

https://www.expeditionracecanada.ca/

https://arworldseries.com/races/expedition-canada-canada

https://arworldseries.com/

https://www.swampdonkeyar.com/

https://mindovermountain.com/momar/

https://ardarkzone.com/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

Thank you to Darren Steinbach and Chelsey Magness for coming onto the show for a TDZ Flash Episode. Recording live from the Expedition Oregon finish line, Darren and Chelsey walk us through the race course, the team experience, the challenging terrain, and their immersive race media style. Flash episodes are built for publishing speed so this episode is lightly edited and a peek into the highs and lows of putting on a multi-day race.

Thank you for being a listener. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in helping elevate the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

https://www.bendracing.com/expeditionoregon2024

https://ardarkzone.com/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

Thank you to Luis Becdach for coming onto the show. Luis is the perfect guest when discussing the upcoming ARWS World Championships in Ecuador. A longtime racer, Luis has raced Worlds multiple times and knows Ecuador like the back of his mano. Having raced alongside him in Huairasinchi in 2021, TDZ can attest to the accuracy of that last sentence. A wild, rugged place, Ecuador is a true adventure racing destination and this episode goes deep on how to prepare for what the teams will face in November.

Thank you for being a listener. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in helping elevate the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking!

Shownotes:

https://www.proyectoaventura.com/site/13/home_arwc24

https://ardarkzone.com/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

TDZ is happy to support The Checkpoint presented by the United States Adventure Racing Association through this crosspost of their Episode #6. Thank you for being a listener and thank you for supporting USARA.

Episode Details Below:

Welcome to Episode 6 of USARA's The Checkpoint Podcast.

In this episode, Brent speaks with Allen Wagner of Broad Run Off Road Racing about his upcoming Fall Foliage Adventure Race. An increasingly popular race, the Fall Foliage is a great race for beginners and veterans alike. Our second segment is a deep dive into past USARA National Championships with Stephanie Ross and Tray Farrar. Packed with stories, adventures, and the challenges of presenting a national championship, this episode is a great way to prepare for next month's USARA National Championship Race in Snowshoe, West Virginia.

Thanks to Brian Gatens of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast for his assistance.

Be sure to visit the United States Adventure Racing Association at www.usara.com

Thank you for stopping by The Checkpoint. Don't stay here too long. There's training and racing to get to!

Shownotes:

https://www.usara.com/

www.ardarkzone.com

TDZ helps the United States Adventure Racing Association with 'The Checkpoint' Podcast. In editing Episode #6, Steph Ross and Troy Farrar were asked by Host Brent Freedland about their favorite USARA National Championship memories.

Their answers were so interesting, fun, and poignant that we pulled them out for Episode 100.5 of TDZ. Call it a 'TDZ Short.' Not a full episode but a small taste of the stories that underpin TDZ's love of AR, and we're happy to share it here. Be sure to follow the links below for more information:

Shownotes:

https://www.usara.com/2024-national-championships

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

Thank you to Grant Killian for joining us for our 100th episode. Untamed New England holds a special place in the AR World as well as for The Dark Zone as it was the first expedition race that we tackled. A legendary race, UTNE was known not only for its challenging terrain and navigation, but for the ethic of exploration and discovery brought to the event by Grant. Even though the UTNE was last held in 2018, the DNA of his race lived on in many of today's most popular races (and we hope that this episode will help bring UTNE back!).

Shownotes:

http://untamedne.com/_/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.thearschool.com/

Thank you to Nathalie Long, Race Director for Raid The Rockies, for joining TDZ to talk about her newest stage race in the Canadian Rockies, her own racing career, and a little race called UTMB. Natalie runs the well-named Adventure Immersion Lab and her racers got their fair share of immersion at the inaugural Raid the Rockies.

Shownotes:

https://www.adventureimmersionlab.ca/

https://arworldseries.com/races/raid-the-rockies-canada

https://utmb.world/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Thank you to Thomas Ogander, Race Director for the One Water Race, for joining TDZ to talk about One Water, the limits of human capacity, and how the Swedish Archipelago provides a challenging backdrop for his race. An increasingly popular event, racers swim/run for sixty hours and navigate among the coastal islands. Adventure Racers will see echoes of our sport in One Water.

Shownotes:

https://onewaterrace.com/

https://otilloswimrun.com/

https://www.gih.se/english

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7gbIVNCvG_4mSYKREpyU1g

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Thank you to Expedition Canada's Ben Kwiatkowski for joining TDZ to talk about his big goals and his big races. In the past several years he has competed in some of the most challenging races on multiple continents including Eco-Challenge Fiji and the AR World Championships in South Africa. A firefighter by training with many years of outdoor experience, Ben has applied all that he knows to his racing. He loves being an adventure racer and it pours out of him during the interview.

Shownotes:

https://arworldseries.com/

https://ecochallenge.com/

https://arc.remarkable.events/

https://arworldseries.com/races/vulcania-chile

https://larutamadre.mx/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.adventureenablers.com/

These may be the smartest guests that we'll ever have on The Dark Zone.

Thank you to Dr. Barton and Dr. Sutcliffe for joining TDZ to discuss the findings in their paper, "Enacting Resilience: Adventure Racing as a Microcosm of Resilience Organizing." Published in March 2023, they go deep on their onsite research at races and what AR teamwork teaches other organizations and professions. The team dynamic is vital in AR and everyone will leave with a greater understanding of how to function. Plus they are a lot of fun.

Shownotes:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1468-5973.12459?domain=p2p_domain&token=QMRHA2TXVIUWBMYBPHCM

Sponsor Links:

https://raceroster.com/events/2024/85413/hike-for-her-2024

Here comes the course beta!

Thank you to USARA National Championship Race Directors Michelle and Liz Faucher for coming onto the show to preview the course, discuss the logistics, and otherwise turn the Race Stoke Meter up to 11 for this year's nationals. We go deep on all parts of the race and offer training advice for all racers.

TDZ will be onsite for this year's nationals helping to bring updates, information, and analysis. It'll be here before you know it this September, and we can't wait to see who is crowned the national champion.

Shownotes:

https://www.usara.com/2024-national-championships

https://www.adventureaddictsracing.com/

https://www.usara.com/2024-national-championships

Music Intro:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7xxNc2lJSTr77HfacfOLUl?si=Q3HuT2Y2TYyrxlRoy5HQFw

Sponsor Links:

https://raceroster.com/events/2024/85413/hike-for-her-2024

https://chimneysweepva.com/

Thank you to Mari Chandler and Brennan Schoenherr for coming onto the show to discuss Arthur the King. Listeners know Mari well as she is most definitely a Friend of the Pod. Brennan is a new name for TDZ Nation. A personal friend and (currently) a non-racer, Brennan brings a new and insightful perspective to our sport. Aside from the dog, he's the real hero of this podcast. This episode is much more than a discussion of the film and we go deep on the lessons learned from the film and how they apply to AR. And, as usual, Mari regales us with story after story from her illustrious career. Special thanks to previous TDZ guest Mikael Lindnord, the real-life inspiration for Mark Wahlberg's character, for bringing his story of Arthur to the big screen.

Shownotes:

https://www.lionsgate.com/movies/arthur-the-king

https://raceroster.com/events/2024/85413/hike-for-her-2024

https://wondery.com/shows/alternate-routes/

Thank you to Nick Hurff for coming onto the show. Whether as an Adventure Racer, Coach, Race Director, or Sports Performance Expert, Nick is a font of knowledge, experience, and wisdom. From his training to the intricacies of nutrition and recovery, Nick has much to share with the listener. Special shoutout for his Adaptive AR coming this year. This is another good one for both the newer and experienced racer.

Shownotes:

https://www.rev3endurance.com/

https://auwolves.com/staff-directory/nicholas-hurff-cscs/393

https://jessetubb.com/

Thank you to Polish Adventure Racer and Ultra-endurance Athlete Rafael Adametz for coming onto the show. An accomplished racer, Raf recounts his entry to the sport, his growth as a racer, and his recent experience racing La Routa Adventure Race (the Philippine one, not the Mexice one). He's a great guest so settle in and enjoy this episode of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast.

Shownotes:

https://www.ra-sportsmentor.com/

https://arworldseries.com/races/la-routa-adventure-race-philippines

Thank you to Team MDWW - Mountain Designs Wild Women - for coming onto the show. As the first all-female team to win an ARWS Expedition Race, they have secured their spot in AR lore, and also provide a cracking good episode filled with guidance, advice, and the keys to their longevity. With 78 combined years of adventure racing between them, they are the best of the best and when they speak, AR class is in session.

Shownotes:

https://www.wldnco.com/24-hour-to-6-day-events/legend-expd

https://www.blogger.com/profile/11710981965297924946

https://sportzhub.com/article/historic-win-for-mountain-designs-wild-women-team-at-legend-xpd-australia.html

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dark-zone-84-adventure-racer-and-race-director-chris/id1578529221?i=1000636511297

Episode Sponsors:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast is delighted to collaborate with the United States Adventure Racing Association on their new podcast: The Checkpoint. Join Brent Freedland and Brian Gatens as they interview regional race directors and a wide variety of voices from the world of Adventure Racing.

Shownotes:

The Checkpoint on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-checkpoint/id1730696441

https://www.adventuresignup.com/Race/MO/Eminence/TheBerrymanAdventure

https://www.dinoseries.com/

www.usara.com

Thank you to Team NAWWAL - Not All Who Wander Are Lost - for coming onto the show. This is a true-blue AR story. Four (somewhat) strangers decide to join forces and take on the 2023 edition Malacara Expedition Race in Florianopolis, Brazil. What follows is a bonkers story of struggle, teamwork, triumph and finishing with leftover food. This is a great listen to kill an hour or so while training. Thank you, NAWWAL, for coming onto TDZ.

Shownotes:

https://www.malacararace.com.br/

Episode Sponsors:

https://thewealthgardenfs.com/

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Thank you to Jason Bettis and Danny Collins for returning to The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast. Expedition Ozark 2024 is their sophomore effort as RD's and are coming into this year's race following the great success and positive feedback from EO 2023. This episode touches upon their growth as RD's, their own successful adventure racing careers, and the appeal of Northwest Arkansas as a racing destination.

Shownotes:

https://www.expeditionozark.com/

https://www.visitbentonville.com/

Episode Sponsors:

https://thewealthgardenfs.com/

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Thank you to Santiago Lopez for coming onto the show. One of the longest-serving and most successful race directors in the sport, Santiago talks about his experiences as both racer and race director, the upcoming ARWS World Championship in Ecuador, and his thoughts about the future of the sport. Huairasinchi, the race for which he is best known, is the adventure race with more editions in the history of the sport (19). 

Santiago is a great guest in which to kick off 2024. This is going to be a wonderful year for our sport and there's no better way to start than by focusing on the World Championship, but have no fear, there is a lot of content in here for racers of all distances and abilities.

Shownotes:

https://www.proyectoaventura.com/site/13/home_arwc24

https://www.arworldseries.com/races/huairasinchi-arwc-2024-ecuador

Episode Sponsors:

https://thewealthgardenfs.com/

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Thank you to Alyssa Godesky for coming onto the show. One of our more accomplished guests, Alyssa has placed on the podium at the 2022 USARA National Championship, has eight top-5 professional finishes at the Ironman distance, and holds multiple Fastest Known Times (FKT's) including on the New Hampshire 48 High Peaks, Adirondack 46 High Peaks and Vermont's Long Trail (273 miles). Alyssa competed in the One Water Race in Sweden this past year, and she goes deep on that experience. Along the way we discuss her work as a coach, her "Ironwomen" podcast, and how the role of women in endurance sports has evolved.

Shownotes:

https://www.alyssagodesky.com/

https://biscaycoaching.com/alyssa-godesky/

https://livefeisty.com/ironwomen/

https://onewaterrace.com/athletes/alyssa-godesky/

One Water Race Full Video - https://youtu.be/Yam_dvoVp6U?si=lnWGz_4MmTNJdcQu

https://www.rootstockracing.com/

Episode Sponsors:

https://thewealthgardenfs.com/

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Thank you to Amanda Bohley for coming onto the show. Originally recorded in December 2022, Amanda drops timeproof stories, pearls of wisdom, and overall stoke for this sport of ours. From having the world's greatest co-workers to being the adventure race equivalent of a human "Break Glass In Case A Great Teammate is Needed" emergency box, Amanda loves AR and we love the enthusiasm, attitude, and support that she brings to her teammates. Thank you for coming onto the show AND for your patience while waiting for TDZ to get this one out into the world.

Shownotes:

https://www.rootstockracing.com/

https://www.facebook.com/BRF.Podcast/

https://www.bendracing.com/

Episode Sponsors:

https://thewealthgardenfs.com/

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Thank you to Mikael Lindnord - Adventure Racer, Author, and Executive Producer of the upcoming film 'Arthur the King' for coming onto the show. Not only does Mikael share his experience with Arthur, the dog he rescued in Ecuador in 2014, but he also shares his vast racing experience and what it was like to be an Executive Producer for the upcoming film. Our longest episode yet, Mikael goes deep on all his experiences and we are grateful for his time.

Shownotes:

https://greystonebooks.com/products/arthur

https://www.arthurtheking.movie/synopsis/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjDJNEPghNY

https://www.arworldseries.com/

Episode Sponsors:

https://thewealthgardenfs.com/

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Thank you to Adventure Racer and Race Director Chris Dixon for coming onto the show. Chris's outfit, Wild&Co., offers AR's all over Australia and his organization likes to think big and offer expansive and challenging races. First and foremost, Chris loves to be an adventure racer and he makes sure that his events honor the sport, the efforts of the racers, and focuses on getting people to the finish line. Chris is a a human stoke machine and you're going to want to go get your gear and head off on an adventure following this one.

Shownotes:

https://www.wldnco.com/

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Thank you to Per Vestling and Oskar Svärd of The Swedish Armed Forces Adventure Team (SAFAT) for coming onto the show. The 2023 Adventure Racing World Champions Per and Oskar, alongside their teammates Malin Hjalmarsson and Team Captain John Karlsson, captured their 2nd championship in the last three years at the ARWS World Championship held in Kouga, South Africa in October 2023.

Shownotes:

https://www.facebook.com/swedisharmedforcesadventureteam/

https://arworldseries.com/

https://orienteer.co/

Thank you to repeat guest Mari Chandler of Team Vidaraid for joining the show. She is fresh from the ARWS Championship Race Course and walks us through the race, the ups and downs, and how Vidaraid stormed back from a long overnight dark zone to capture 2nd place. Full of wisdom and experience, Mari is not to be missed.

Thank you to The New York Adventure Racing Association - www.nyara.org - for sponsoring this episode of The Dark Zone. Reach out to us at Brian@ardarkzone.com if you'd like to explore possible episode sponsorships. Rates are beyond reasonable.

Welcome to Flash Podcast Episode #2 of The Dark Zone. Once again we have assembled an excellent team of analysts to share their thoughts and wisdom with the legions of at-home dotwatchers. This episode was recorded on Facebook Live during the ARWS World Championships held in South Africa October 2023.

Thank you to Stephanie Ross from Flying Squirrel Racing, Jason Magness from Bend Racing, and Brent Freedland from Rootstock Racing for coming onto today’s show. Special thanks to Jeff O’Connor of Adventure Racing Insider for helping to produce the episode.

Shownotes:

https://arworldseries.com/

https://www.adventureracinginsider.com/

https://www.unbridledwomenar.com/

https://www.rootstockracing.com/

https://www.bendracing.com/

The next best thing to adventure racing is talking about adventure racing and welcome to this Flash Podcast Episode of The Dark Zone. We have assembled a crack team of analysts to offer in-race updates, analysis, and predictions from the ARWS World Championship Race happening RIGHT NOW in South Africa!

Thank you to Ashley Eaton from Strong Machine, Jason Magness from Bend Racing, and Abby Perkiss and Brent Freedland from Rootstock Racing for coming onto today's show. Special thanks to Jeff O'Connor of Adventure Racing Insider for helping to produce the episode.

Shownotes:

https://arworldseries.com/

https://www.adventureracinginsider.com/

https://www.rootstockracing.com/

https://www.bendracing.com/

https://www.strongmachinear.com/

Thank you to ARWS World Championships Race Director Stephan Muller for coming onto the show. This episode is a full course preview of the 2023 World Championships being held in Kouga, South Africa. 800 KM, 10 stages, and over 8 days of racing is just waiting out there for the racers and this episode goes deep on the entire course. Thank you to Stephan for making time for us during the busy days leading up to the race.

Shownotes:

https://arworldseries.com/races/expedition-africa-kouga-eastern-cape-south-africa

https://arworldseries.com/

Thank you to Nationals Race Director Chris Yager and Team Grit Adventure members Jesse Spangler and Jesse Tubb for coming onto the show. This episode recounts their 2nd place finish at the 2023 USARA National Championships. All three guests have been on TDZ previously and they do a great job recounting the race, discussing their nutritional and navigational strategy, and sharing their training in advance of such a strong performance. Their teammate Amanda Bohley was missed but she'll be on soon enough to share her experience as well.

Shownotes:

https://www.grit-adventures.com/

www.rootstockracing.com

www.orienteer.co

www.mcdonalds.com

www.snickers.com

Thank you to Sachiko for coming onto the show. This episode recounts Team East Wind's experience at the Nordic Islands Adventure Race on the Faroe Islands from August 2023. A legendary team, East Wind lived up to its reputation of relentless racing, strong competition, and making solid strategic decisions. Sachiko, a well-established long-distance trail runner before she joined East Wind, speaks at length about not only the race and the team's experience, but also her personal race strategies. She was a delightful guest and congratulations on her upcoming wedding (a fact that she just casually dropped during the interview to my great delight).

Shownotes:

https://www.east-wind.jp/team/

https://www.niar.io/races/niar-faroe-islands-2023/

Thank you to Abby and Brent of Rootstock Racing for coming onto the show. This episode is the culmination of a six-episode arc in which TDZ was embedded into The Endless Mountains Adventure Race. In this episode, Abby and Brent unpack the planning, preparation and experience of presenting a 5-day race. It's a deep dive into all aspects of the race. Special mention is made about volunteers, their dedication, and the experience of many of the racers. This is a great listen for both the aspiring RD and also for racers considering making the jump into longer-distance adventure races.

Shownotes:

www.rootstockracing.com

www.endlessmountainsar.com

Thank you to La Ruta Madre Race Director Javier Barreda for coming onto the show. Billed as 'Mexico's Toughest Race," La Ruta Madre puts the natural beauty of Mexico on full display. Javier speaks about the challenging course, the high level of hospitality, and how he works hard for both a great race and to give those who travel a wonderful overall experience. Get your gear ready! Mexico is calling!

Shownotes:

https://larutamadre.mx/

Thank you to Team Bend Racing for joining TDZ to discuss their decisive victory at Rootstock Racing's Endless Mountains Adventure Race. Alongside their discussion of their race, Bend speaks about their approach to the sport, team dynamics, and the process they follow when it comes to race training and preparation.

Shownotes:

www.endlessmountainsar.com

www.rootstockracing.com

www.bendracing.com

www.orienteer.co

Thank you to volunteers Jim Rounsley, Misty and Ainsley Glenn, and Shelley Johannesen for joining TDZ during Day 4 of Rootstock Racing's Endless Mountains Adventure Race. Without volunteers, we wouldn't have adventure races, and this episode highlights their motivation as well as the wisdom and knowledge they pick up along the way. There is always more to learn and thank you for their time and thoughts.

Shownotes:

www.rootstockracing.com

Thank you to Emily Korsch, Jason Magness, and Stephanie Ross for joining TDZ on Facebook Live to discuss the Endless Mountains Adventure Race. Teams are now halfway through the race and our panel analysis helps the adventure racing fan understand and enjoy the race. Plus, there are always lessons to be learned for all racers.

Shownotes:

www.endlessmountainsar.com

www.bendracing.com

and

www.rootstockracing.com

Here comes the biggest episode ever of the TDZ. Over 100 minutes of racer voices directly from the race course of Rootstock Racing's The Endless Mountains Adventure Race. Thanks to the kind hosting of the Penn-Wells Hotel in Wellsboro, PA, TDZ was able to interview each racer team during a mandatory media stop. The entire project took over 13 hours from the race leader to the chasing teams. Here comes some gonzo podcast.

https://www.pennwells.com/

www.rootstockracing.com

www.endlessmountainsar.com

Welcome back to Zoe F. for her return visit to The Dark Zone. A lifelong AR racer, volunteer and font of wisdom, Zoe shares her thoughts on teamwork, transitions, nutrition, and what she hopes for the racers at Rootstock Racing's The Endless Mountains Adventure Race. Be sure to return tomorrow to TDZ as we'll be bringing daily episodes from The Endless Mountains.

Thank you to Lycoming College, host site of the Endless Mountains, for sponsoring this episode of the Dark Zone.

https://www.lycoming.edu/

Thank you to USARA Nationals Race Director Chris Yager of the Green Mountain Adventure Racing Association (GMARA) and USARA Executive Director Michael Garrison for joining The Dark Zone to offer a first peek into the upcoming 2023 USARA National Championships based out of Smuggler's Notch in Vermont. Kudos to Chris for sharing just enough about the course to pique racer interest and to Garrison for offering a big-picture view into this year's national championship.

Shownotes:

GMARA - https://www.gmara.org/

USARA - https://www.usara.com/

Thank you to AR Racer, Coach and Mountain Guide Jen Segger for returning to The Dark Zone for another episode. Seegs was first on TDZ #24 and returns with even more wisdom, stories, and guidance. Pull up a chair and give this one a good listen.

Jen was kind enough to extend the following offer to TDZ listeners:

40% off my AR courses for both BEG and INT Sprint races (this is the 4-8hrs race training)

It is valid until DEC 31st, 2023.

Code: darkzone

Find the course on my website at www.jensegger.com

Shownotes:

Episode #24 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dark-zone-24-jen-segger-they-call-her-seegs-coach/id1578529221?i=1000553075482

Thank you to Paul Steele and John Hardin for coming onto the show to talk about their newest endeavor. The CheNarr Adventure Race is coming to the Nashville, Tennessee area this coming August. Driven by a desire to share the natural beauty of the area and their love of adventure, John and Paul are excited for the first edition of the race.

Shownotes:

https://www.adventuresignup.com/Race/TN/Pegram/CheNarr

https://hardwinadventures.com/

Thank you to Stephan Muller for coming onto the show. A longtime adventure racer, including the first Eco-Challenge, Stephan goes deep on his plans for the ARWS World Championship in South Africa this October. Along the way he shares his AR wisdom, talks about what the sport means to him, and how teams can prepare for a big race.

Shownotes:

https://arworldseries.com/world-championship

Thank you to Travis and Mark 'Mace' Macy for joining The Dark Zone to share their experience, strength, hope, and stories. Travis's new book A Mile at a Time recounts their family's dedication to endurance racing (including Mace's participation in the first Eco-Challenge), Mace's Alzheimer's diagnosis, Travis's successful adventure racing career, and their decision to race Eco-Challenge: Fiji together. Along the way, they both share their AR wisdom.

A Mile at a Time - https://a.co/d/5r135yv

Travis Macy - www.travismacy.com

Danelle Ballengee - https://www.runnersworld.com/trail-running/a20808181/danelle-ballengee-five-years-later/

Thank you to this episode's sponsor:

VJ Shoes - https://vjshoesusa.com/the-dark-zone and use code: darkzone20 for a $20 discount.

And please visit TDZ's Charity Partner - Ascend Athletics at https://www.ascendathletics.org/ and learn more about their work with young women in Pakistan and Afghanistan. TDZ is happy to promote its work at no cost to Ascend.