Our very first adventure race was a Rootstock race, and we have loved every RR race we’ve participated in since. It’s clear that Rootstock invests an incredible amount of thought, care, creativity, and effort into their races - from the pre-race briefings, to the race maps, to logistics and support, to the fantastic courses themselves. On top of that, Abby and Brent have a wealth of experience and knowledge, and they have been very generous with their time and guidance. As such, Rootstock races have provided an excellent AR on-ramp for us and our teammates to both enter the sport and develop as racers. When Rootstock announced they would be staging their first expedition-length race in 2022, my teammates and I knew immediately we were on board. We’ll be some of the first in line when registration opens, and are already eagerly awaiting the Endless Mountains AR!
-jason andras and kate ballantine, Team electric mayhem
What's included
- A professionally-designed course created by Rootstock Racing, one of the premier AR organizations in North America
- A fully supported event providing gear and bike transportation; no need for support crews
- A new course; at Rootstock Racing, we work hard to create new routes and discover new checkpoints for each race, even if we pass through an area used in a previous event. In 2023, we are excited to explore a new region in the diverse PA Wilds.
- 10% discount to MRS packrafts and gear
- Live tracking and premier online coverage for spectators and post-race analysis
- Two sets of water-resistant race maps (scales vary, but be prepared for some 1:50,000 maps)
- Race bibs
- Host site information TBC, but we anticipate including two nights of lodging, one pre-race and one post-.
- Likewise, we are hoping to provide transportation assistance to teams that are flying in. This year's course is a three-hour drive from the nearest airport. We will hopefully be able to offer assistance to teams - more information forthcoming.
- Individual racer swag (2022 swag included a branded race shirt, buff, trucker hat, and finish line flask of moonshine; additionally, there were add-on opportunities for sweatshirts and fantasy style race maps)
- Finisher medals
- On-course food
- Post-race ceremony including a banquet and awards ceremony
- For premier teams: approximate $12,000 podium (assumes a field of thirty or more teams; includes estimated value of entry into the AR World Championship, cash prizes for 2nd and 3rd place, and two cash prizes available to any teams completing the full course. Prize purse subject to expansion!)
- Credit toward future Rootstock Racing events and in-kind prizes to non-premier divisional winners
- For non-podium teams, entry into a gear raffle (items will depend on sponsor donations)
- On-site safety team
- Our incredible media team and access to media following the event
Entry Fees
- Early Entry: $950 per person (before December 31, 2022)
- Late Entry: $1100 per person (before April 1, 2023)
- Last Minute Entry: $1250 per person (space and logistics permitting; contact the race directors directly)
REfund Policy
Teams may cancel their registration by emailing us directly to coordinate refunds. Refunds will be based on the published entry fees and will not include Runsignup fees. Teams looking to transfer their entry to another team may do so, but teams are responsible for coordinating finances themselves and then communicating changes to us directly.
- Full refund, less registration fees: Through January 1, 2023
- Partial refund, less registration fees (75%): Through March 1, 2023. Minus registration fees.
- Partial refund, less registration fees (50%): Through April 1, 2023. Minus registration fees.
- Partial refund, less registration fees (25%): Through May 26, 2023. Minus registration fees.
- No refund: After May 26, 2023
A note on entry fees
Every race director knows that adventure racing entry requires a significant investment, especially an expedition race. Unlike a road run (short or long), AR course design requires hundreds of hours of on-the-ground exploration and course design. In addition, the financial commitments to run an event of this magnitude (insurance, tracking, permitting, swag, logistics, volunteer expenses, safety and media personnel, etc.) are significant, and unlike many other ultra-endurance events that may draw thousands of participants and far more substantial corporate sponsorship, AR RDs have to operate with far less.
According to RunRepeat, the average marathoner runs for 4 hours 32 minutes with an entry cost of $100-$300. MyTriWorld reports that the average finishing time at Ironman competitions is 12 hours 49 minutes, and these events typically cost approximately $800/person. Expedition races run 24 hours a day, for days on end. In the case of the Endless Mountains Adventure Race, the course will be open for approximately 120 hours. That amounts to roughly 26 marathons or 9-10 Ironman competitions. You can figure out the rest of the math from there. In short, adventure racing is, contrary to first impression, one of the absolute best value race experiences available.
We speak on behalf of all RDs, especially those directing multi-day events, when we say: we deeply appreciate your investment in this event and your understanding of what it takes to put on a quality AR. As competitive racers ourselves who traveled as far afield as Alaska, India, and Tasmania, we do not take your decision to join us lightly, and we thank you for committing your time, money, and energy to joining us for the Endless Mountains Adventure Race.
Thank you!
According to RunRepeat, the average marathoner runs for 4 hours 32 minutes with an entry cost of $100-$300. MyTriWorld reports that the average finishing time at Ironman competitions is 12 hours 49 minutes, and these events typically cost approximately $800/person. Expedition races run 24 hours a day, for days on end. In the case of the Endless Mountains Adventure Race, the course will be open for approximately 120 hours. That amounts to roughly 26 marathons or 9-10 Ironman competitions. You can figure out the rest of the math from there. In short, adventure racing is, contrary to first impression, one of the absolute best value race experiences available.
We speak on behalf of all RDs, especially those directing multi-day events, when we say: we deeply appreciate your investment in this event and your understanding of what it takes to put on a quality AR. As competitive racers ourselves who traveled as far afield as Alaska, India, and Tasmania, we do not take your decision to join us lightly, and we thank you for committing your time, money, and energy to joining us for the Endless Mountains Adventure Race.
Thank you!
