Following a successful first-ever adventure race in late May, JCPRD is offering a fall adventure race in September on a different course with some new twists, and it is expected to fill to capacity.
The new TimberRidge Adventure Race is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18, and will include activities at Kill Creek Park, Kill Creek Streamway Park, and on portions of the adventure course at TimberRidge Adventure Center. This follows the Shawnee Mission Park Adventure Race, which took place on May 22, drawing 207 participants with an age range of five to 80 years old from six states.
“We learned from the May event that rain or shine, people will come out to have fun and find adventure,” said Special Events Coordinator Katy Renner. “We’ll have many different elements in this race, but the concept is still the same - using orienteering to navigate to the checkpoints. Anyone can do it! It’s a fabulous way to explore parts of our parks that you’d never see if you just stay on the normal path.”
As with the May race, the new event will offer two- and six-hour options.
“The two-hour course is more of a family-friendly course,” Renner said. “The six-hour course will paddle, bike, and trek as well as utilize some of the elements found at TimberRidge - the climbing wall for one. There was some slight confusion during registration for the two-hour race in May about being able to paddle and bike. So to be clear with this event, ALL of our 2-hour events will be ONLY on foot.”
The six-hour course will have the following divisions: solo, two-person team, three-person team, and four-person team, while the two-hour course will have the following divisions: solo, four-plus-person team (will add more to this if family is larger than 4).
Renner estimates those on the two-hour course will cover four to six miles of trekking (both hiking and running), while those on the six-mile course will cover five to seven miles of trekking, plus 15 to 25 miles of mountain biking, and one to two miles of paddling (canoe for teams and kayaks for individuals). There may also be surprise challenges for both courses.
It is also important to note that during the event, athletes will have access only to the gear, food, and drink that they carry on their bike or in their pack.
For the two-hour course, solo registration is $35, while registration for a team or family of up to four is $60. For the six-hour course, the cost is $60 for solo athletes, $120 for teams of two, $180 for teams of three, and $240 for teams of four. Registration for the six-hour course will end on Friday, Sept. 10, while registrations for the two-hour course will be accepted until Friday, Sept. 17, which is the day before race day. Registrations for this event are capped at about 300 participants. To register, go to runsignup.com/Race/KS/Olathe/TimberRidgeAdventureRace. For more information, contact Renner at [email protected] or by calling (913) 826-2964. Volunteers are also being sought for this event. If you’d like to volunteer or learn more, go to runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/KS/Olathe/TimberRidgeAdventureRace.
A possible add-on for TimberRidge Adventure Racers is the opportunity to camp overnight at the TimberRidge site on the evening of Friday, Sept. 17. Participants in this Family Fun Camping Event for ages four and older can check in onsite between 4 and 6 pm. Campers will need to bring their own equipment and food. No staff will be onsite overnight. Participants need to be packed up and offsite by 8:30 am. Pets and alcohol of any kind are prohibited during this event. The cost for this 16.5 hour camping opportunity for up to two adults and three children is $25 for Johnson County residents and $28 for nonresidents. Additional participants are $5 each. Friday night campers can also register in advance for the Family Fishing Night. Dinner of hotdogs, chips, and apples will be provided from 5 to 5:30 pm. Fishing at TimberRidge’s Catfish Pond will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. with boats available. The evening will conclude with roasting marshmallows at a campfire from 7 to 7:30 pm. The per person cost is $12 for Johnson County residents and $13 for nonresidents. Participants age 16 and older planning to fish are required to have a Kansas fishing license, which will not be sold on site. Advance registration is required for either event. For more information call (913) 856-8849.
Renner said plans were already in the works for a fall adventure race, but the success of the May event put that planning into high gear.
“With the way our May event was received, we decided that we had to do it,” she said. “Adventure racing brings a whole new type of person to events than we’ve seen at our other races. It’s nice to be able to host an event for a new group of people.”
This time around, JCPRD is partnering with the Possum Trot Orienteering group to host this race. Local girl scout groups have been invited to again participate as well. In addition to this race, Kansas City Corporate Challenge will be running a small KCCC Games this fall with adventure racing being one of the events.
“KCCC participants will compete in the two-hour course to earn points toward their company’s overall score,” Renner said. “Again, a great way to introduce a new sport to KCCC.”