rib mountain adventure challenge -
Winter Edition

Are you up for the Challenge? 

Soloists and teams of 2-4 members will trek or trek and bike their way through a beautiful wintry course using a map and compass to find the way. Team members must stick together throughout the duration of the race. With route choices, obstacles, and special challenges to test your team’s physical strength and mental resolve, this winter race will be fun for beginners and seasoned athletes alike, bringing a new dimension to adventure racing! Join us at Wisconsin’s only winter adventure race!

This race will be held regardless of snow conditions. Fat tire bikes may be used but are NOT required, as the biking portions of the race will take place mainly on roads. Snowshoes are optional and may be rented by indicating so during registration.

New to adventurE racing?

First, welcome to the adventure racing community! The 3-hour Winter Edition course is designed to be beginner-friendly and new in 2024, GPS devices will be allowed for the 3-hour race. (For those looking to step up the physical and mental challenge, choose the 6-hour course.) We will also hold a virtual adventure racing for beginners clinic prior to the race to help those new to adventure racing.

Multiple disciplines

Location

TBA (within 30 miles of Wausau, WI)

Average temp for December 7 in Wausau, WI are high of 31º and low of 16º

Team Divisions

• 2-4 Person Male

• 2-4 Person Female

• 2-4 Person Coed

• Family (2-4 person multi-generation team with at least one racer under 18 years old)

• Solo Male

• Solo Female

Need help finding a team/teammate?  We’ve got you covered!

*fat tire bikes maybe used, but not required

TENTATIVE RACE-DAY SCHEDULE

• 7:30 am: Packet pickup, team photo, gear staging

• 9:00 am: 6-hour race start (final pre-race meeting 30 min before start)

• 10:15 am: 3-hour (no bike) race start (final pre-race meeting 60 min before start)

• 11:00, 11:45 am: 3-hour race start - wave will be assigned race week (final pre-race meeting at 10:15 am)

• 1:00-4:00 pm: Food & beverages available at headquarters

• Awards approximately 30 minutes following course cutoff for each race
  

RACE FEES

• Early registration ends August 14 11:59 pm

• Regular registration ends October 31 11:59 pm

• Late registration ends December 1 11:59 pm

• Kids under 18 receive $10 off (each team must have at least one person age 18 or older).

• Each team member may register separately

What’s included

• Custom beanie

• All maps (pre-plotted)

• Facility and land use fees

• Post-race meal & beverages

• Custom finisher medal

• Awards three deep in every division for all three race distances

• USARA 1-day membership is waived for 3-hour racers. 6-hour racers will need to purchase a USARA membership if you do not already have a yearly membership. Most, if not all Wisconsin Adventure Racing Series events are part of USARA, so it may be cost effective to purchase a yearly membership (good for 365 days from date of purchase) which includes several other nice benefits. 

Due to the costs associated with planning and hosting this event, we cannot offer refunds.  If your team is unable to race, you may receive a race credit for either Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge race for the following year less $20 up to one week prior to the event. 

QUESTIONS? 

EMAIL US

Wisconsin Adventure Racing Series:

This race is part of the Wisconsin Adventure Racing Series, Wisconsin’s premier race series featuring adventure races throughout WI, MN, and IL, with cash prizes totaling over $2,000.  There is no fee to join the series, simply race any of the events and you’ll be automatically signed up.  Note that ONLY 6 hours racers will be included in Wisconsin Adventure Racing Series rankings. The more races your team competes in, the better chance you’ll have of taking home prizes.  Compete in teams of 2-4, or as a soloist, and see how you rank against others in the Midwest.

USARA Point Series:

Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge - Winter Edition is part of the United States Adventure Racing Association (USARA) series.  Note that ONLY 6 hours racers will be included in USARA National Points Series.

As a USARA-sanctioned event, we adhere to USARA’s anti-doping policies. It is your responsibility to uphold the integrity of the competition and reputation of adventure racing as a clean sport through educated use of supplements, medicines, and other treatments and to understand what is permissible according to USARA standards. In addition to contributing to a level playing field for all competitors, USARA’s policies are designed to help athletes learn more about the medications, substances, and methods they use for the sake of long-term health. We encourage you to spend some time reviewing USARA’s stance on the importance of Ant-Doping, educating yourself through their collection of helpful resources, and understanding the consequences of doping infractions (medicinal, supplemental, or mechanical) by reviewing USARA’s dedicated page to Anti-Doping here.

IRONBULL:

This race is part of the IRONBULL race series.  IRONBULL is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that promotes outdoor adventure sports in Central Wisconsin. IRONBULL aims to drive economic development, benefit community organizations, and attract and retain a talented work force through the production of high quality races and events that promote healthy living in our community. Be sure to check out other upcoming IRONBULL races!

Supporting organizations