Wild Driftless Adventure Race
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Event overview
The Wild Driftless Adventure Race is an adventure race held in Elkader, Iowa, based at Elkader City Park (707 S High St, Elkader, IA 52043). The course travels through limestone bluffs, trout streams, rivers, old-growth forest, single-track mountain-bike trails, and gravel roads in the Driftless Region of northeast Iowa. The event accepts teams of 2-4 and solo entrants. USARA membership is required; options listed include a single-event membership for $8 or a yearly membership for $35. For 2025, each race was limited to 125 participants. Registration fees listed for 2025 include tiered prices for each race and a $20 surcharge for soloists.
Race options and distances
There are two event formats. The full Wild Driftless has a nine-hour time limit and includes trekking, biking, paddling, and special tasks; the Wild Driftless Lite has a five-hour time limit and does not include paddling. Both formats may include optional ropes sections and special tasks.
Wild Driftless (9-hour) distances:
- Trekking: 5-13 miles (8-22 km)
- Biking: 20-34 miles (32-55 km)
- Paddling: 2-8 miles (3-13 km)
Wild Driftless Lite (5-hour) distances: Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
- Trekking: 2-6 miles (3-10 km)
- Biking: 10-15 miles (16-25 km)