Neck of the Woods Adventure Race
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About the race
The Neck of the Woods Adventure Race is a five-hour score-format event held in Huntersville, North Carolina on October 24, 2026. It accepts solo competitors and teams of one to four people. All entry proceeds benefit the Firefighters Burned Children's Fund.
The event is described as a scavenger hunt conducted by bike and on foot with no paddle or swim sections. Maps are pre-plotted with mandatory and optional checkpoints. Each found checkpoint earns points; the highest points in the least time wins separate solo and team categories. There is no set route or checkpoint sequence.
Some optional checkpoints will be on mountain bike trails. Organizers will provide multiple maps during the event and a mid-course transition area with water and Gatorade that may not be accessible while participants hunt for checkpoints. Approximate distances depend on chosen strategy: completing every checkpoint is roughly 25 miles of biking plus 5 to 6 miles of trekking; collecting only mandatory checkpoints is roughly 14 to 15 miles of biking plus 3 to 4 miles of trekking. Mandatory participant supplies include a bike, bike helmet, blinking rear bike light, reflective vest for on-foot sections, food, and water.
Mandatory team items to carry at all times include a compass, a phone in a waterproof container, and a pen or pencil for use on waterproof paper. Registration opens March 11, 2026; the fee is $40 per person and registration closes October 20, 2026. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
