Neck of the Woods Adventure Race
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Neck of the Woods Adventure Race
The Neck of the Woods Adventure Race is the third annual score-based navigation event taking place in Huntersville, North Carolina on October 24, 2026. The format is a timed adventure race with a five hour time limit, open to solo competitors or teams of 1 to 4 people. Entry is $40 per person and all proceeds benefit the Firefighters Burned Children's Fund. Registration closes October 20, 2026; t-shirt guarantee requires earlier registration.
The race combines cycling and foot navigation with no paddle or swim sections. Participants use pre-plotted maps to find checkpoints; each checkpoint earns points and teams choose which checkpoints to attempt. There is no set route or sequence; teams manage their own route and time. Some optional checkpoints are located on mountain bike trails. A remote transition area is provided for bikes, helmets and lights before check-in. Maps are provided at different times during the race and an orienteering section offers high point value.
Mandatory individual gear includes a bike, helmet, blinking rear bike light, reflective vest for foot sections, water and food. 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. Distances vary by strategy: a full route with bonuses is about 25 miles of biking and 5 to 6 miles of trekking; the mandatory-only route is roughly 14 to 15 miles of biking and 3 to 4 miles of trekking. Bike sections are mostly paved roads and greenways. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
