Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge goes virtual
RIB MOUNTAIN (Wausau Pilot & Review) – With the extension of Safer at Home orders through Memorial Day weekend, the 6th annual Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge will not be taking place in Wausau, but it doesn’t mean adventure racers can’t still get outside. Race directors Tim Buchholz and Anna Nummelin launched the Virtual Adventure Challenge to encourage people to get outside and give them a sense of community while doing so.
The Virtual Adventure Challenge will consist of multiple disciplines that participants can do from anywhere in the world. Photo credit: Gary Barden Photography (far left) and Ann Ilagan Photography (remaining photos)
Neither had ever done a virtual challenge despite racing over one hundred adventure races each, but that didn’t matter.
“We felt we needed to think outside the box to offer an opportunity to the adventure race community to stay active during this challenging time,” says Nummelin.
The couple credits the concept of this challenge to their friends who organized a virtual adventure race called the Lockdown which requires participants to engage in twenty-one hours of physical activity over five days. Buchholz and Nummelin immediately registered and then the wheels started turning – the couple recognized a need for a similar shorter event. Buchholz and Nummelin have taken it upon themselves to introduce people to the sport of adventure racing though the Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge, which consistently draws considerably more beginner adventure racers than other adventure races. So, Buchholz and Nummelin approached the organizers of the Lockdown to discuss creating a shorter virtual adventure event. The organizers supported the idea to have a complementary virtual adventure event and even provided the couple pointers.
Buchholz and Nummelin wasted no time in devising the virtual event in which participants have 48 hours to complete five hours of physical activity over three stages. Participants have the flexibility to start the challenge anytime between now and May 31 and may even take breaks within the stages. The three stages consist of a run/hike, bike, and activity of choice, with specific instructions to complete each segment. Within 24 hours of opening registration for the event, they already had 20 people signed up.
“We wanted the Virtual Adventure Challenge to provide an opportunity for all ability levels to participate,” says Buchholz. “Adventure racing usually consists of using a map and compass to navigate through an unmarked course so we will require participants to plan their route to reach specific features, such as a hilltop.”
Adventure races typically include a staged course where racers bike, run/trek, paddle, and participate in unique challenges. In the Virtual Adventure Challenge, Buchholz and Nummelin are allowing flexibility in disciplines since boats are typically provided in adventure races and in some areas boat landings are currently closed. Participants can even add an activity they always wanted in an adventure race such as weightlifting, stairclimbing, or scootering!
Despite not having a physical event where a team can claim first place, Buchholz and Nummelin also sought how to challenge veteran racers. After consulting with team members, they did just that – offer special prizes for additional challenges such as the most elevation gain on the foot section.
To provide a sense of community, all participants are encouraged to post pictures and stories on the Facebook Event page. Even though the Virtual Adventure Challenge is not an official race, all official finishers are eligible for prizes. The registration fee of $30 goes towards the cost of an event t-shirt with net proceeds going to COVID-19 relief efforts.
“We felt it was important to offer our participants a sense of camaraderie since we’re all in this together. Once we can have physical events again and we see someone else wearing the virtual event t-shirt we’ll be reminded we all got through this together,” says Nummelin.
The Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge has a strong Midwest presence, drawing racers from eight states. In a virtual event, there is no set course, so people from all over the world may participate. Buchholz and Nummelin see this an opportunity to gain national exposure for the Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge, especially with expanding the existing 3-hour and 8-hour race offerings to an 18-hour event in 2021. The couple hope racers from across the country will participate in this virtual event.
And if the virtual run scene provides any indicator of the potential for virtual adventure racing, the sky is the limit. The Facebook group, The Virtual Run Challenge Group has exploded, gaining over 1,100 of its 1,800 members in the past month. The first virtual Backyard Ultra attracted 2,413 racers from 56 countries earlier this month. In Backyard Ultra events, racers complete a 4 mile run every hour until there is only one person left – in this case 262.5 miles and 63 hours later.
The Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge and Virtual Adventure Challenge are both IRONBULL events, which has other race opportunities in the works including a 5k trail run and modified adventure race with the intent of providing a free, safe, outdoor activity for the community.
For more race information on the Virtual Adventure Challenge go to the IRONBULL Facebook page or https://www.ironbull.org/virtual-adventure-challenge
Banner photo: Teams work together to navigate with a map and compass to paddle, pedal, and trek in Central Wisconsin. Photo credit: Ann Ilagan Photography