Wild Driftless Adventure Race
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Wild Driftless Adventure Race
The Wild Driftless Adventure Race takes place on October 3, 2026, in Elkader, Iowa. The event base is Elkader City Park at 707 S High St, Elkader, IA 52043. The race uses terrain in the Driftless Region, including limestone bluffs, trout streams, rivers, old-growth forest, single-track mountain biking, and scenic gravel roads.
Racers compete as teams of two to four who stay together for the entire course or as soloists. The course is secret until race day. Navigation depends on provided maps and a compass. Most checkpoints are optional; participants decide how many to reach within each race time limit. Time limits are nine hours for the full Wild Driftless course and five hours for the Lite course.
Distances by race:
- Wild Driftless (9-hour): trekking 5-13 miles, biking 18-34 miles, paddling 2-8 miles
- Wild Driftless Lite (5-hour): trekking 2-8 miles, biking 10-15 miles, no paddling
Registration is tiered by date with separate fees for each race and a participant cap of 350 total for 2026. USARA membership is required for entry; single-race and yearly options are available. The event lists a navigation clinic in May at Camp Ewalu with a classroom session and on-course training. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
