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 is hosted at Elkader City Park and offers two timed race options with a combined participant limit of 350.
Teams of two to four compete together as a unit, and solo entrants may race alone. The course is kept secret until race day. Participants navigate using only provided maps and a compass while following race instructions. Most checkpoints are optional; teams choose how many to visit within the time limit.
Two race formats are offered. The full Wild Driftless is a nine hour adventure race and includes trekking, biking, paddling, and special tasks. The Wild Driftless Lite is a five hour adventure race that omits paddling and includes shorter trekking and biking segments.
Wild Driftless (9 hour)
- Trekking on foot, 5-13 miles (8-22 km)
- Biking on gravel, paved roads and trails, 18-34 miles (30-55 km)
- Paddling in canoes on flat water or rivers, 2-8 miles (3-13 km)
- Special tasks
Wild Driftless Lite (5 hour)
- Trekking on foot, 2-8 miles (3-13 km)
- Biking on gravel, paved roads and trails, 10-15 miles (16-25 km)
- Special tasks
- No paddling
Registration fees vary by date and USARA membership is required. Organizers provide mandatory gear and rules documents and offer navigation and orienteering clinics and related side events. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
