Race Information
Winter Edition
Camp Roger, Rockford
January 13, 2024
Up to 3 hours
9:30 am
Join us for the 14th annual Winter Edition, the largest winter adventure race in the U.S., presented by the Village of Cannonsburg and the Honey Creek Inn.
You and your teammate(s) will hike or run together on and off trail using a topographic map to find as many checkpoints as you can (about 5 miles if you do them all), conquer Amazing Race-style challenges (sometimes a little brainy, sometime a little brawny; never too difficult), and a short snowshoe loop (weather pending, snowshoes provided). No need to be in tip-top shape; many teams hike rather than run and you can come in at any point. Knowing how to use a compass (free clinic and online instruction) will be helpful for some checkpoints but you can find a lot of them with just good map reading.
We’ll enjoy lounging in the cozy Camp Roger Ridge Hall and Lodge buildings before and after the race, feasting on a Village of Cannonsburg-Honey Creek Inn chili lunch and sharing stories of glorious successes and hilarious hiccups.
Watch this 4-minute Go Pro video to get a first-hand feel for the race. Or view hundreds of photos from past races.
This race comes with a lot of great stuff!
- Mid-weight 1/4 zip pullover ($35 retail)! (you must sign up two weeks before the race to receive)
- Chili and fruit lunch with hot drinks
- Chance at $2,000 in top finisher and raffle prizes
- Free navigation/compass clinic
Divisions
- Solo Males, Females
- 2-person Females, Males, Co-eds
- 3-4 person Females, Males, Co-eds
- Family (2-5 person): For teams of 3-5, at least three from the same immediate family with one of those 14 years or younger)
Schedule
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| FRIDAY | ||
| 4:00-6:00pm | Early check-in and map pick-up | Camp Roger |
| early evening | Race update/map email to all racers | |
| SATURDAY | ||
| 7:00am | Shuttle begins | Lakes Elementary |
| 7:15-9:45am | Same-day check-in, map, route planning | Camp Roger, Ridge Hall |
| 9:05am | Shirt swap/trade | Ridge Hall |
| 9:10am | Announcements | Bell Tower, Ridge Hall |
| 9:30; 9:35; 9:40; 9:45am | Start: men, women/families, 2-person co-ed, 3-4 co-ed | Ridge Hall |
| 12:30; 12:35; 12:40; 12:45 | Cut-off: men, women/families, 2-person co-ed, 3-4 person co-ed | Ridge Hall |
| 11:15-1:30 pm (approx) | Lunch | Ridge Hall |
| 1:15-2:00 pm (approx.) | Award ceremony and raffle | Bell Tower, Ridge Hall |
| 2:15 pm (approx.) | Shuttle ends | Drop-off/pick-up area |
BEFORE THE RACE
Required Gear
- We are requiring a few items for safety but most other items are at your discretion. See the Required Gear page.
- Lots of good shoe, clothing and gear tips on that page as well.
Navigation/Compass Clinic
- Join us for a free Navigation 101 clinic at Seidman Park on Saturday, January 6, 2023. RSVP and print clinic map and notes here.
- Large group instruction followed by small group in-field practice with map and compass.
Directions/Parking
- All racers must park at Lakes Elementary School (or Bostwick Lake Congregational Church if the school lot fills up). Both lots are located at Belding Road and Young Ave. Please carpool if possible as parking is limited. Wait at the school front doors for the bus.
- We will shuttle you by coach bus to Camp Roger, which has only enough parking for volunteers and staff. It’s about a two-minute ride. Camp Roger is located at 8356 Belding Rd NE in Rockford, just east of Pando Winter Sports Park.
Awards
Members of first place teams in each division will win a beautiful, locally made barnwood team trophy. A minimum of 3 teams in a division by 2 weeks before the race is required to receive the wood trophy but teams will still receive these wood medals and top finisher prizes. Depth of prizes depends on size of division.
Merchandise (available at early check-in and on race day, limited quantities)
Hoodie sweatshirt $35
Skull cap $20
Neck gaiter/buff $12
Stainless steel pint $12
Sticker $2
Rules
- Please read through our standard race rules. Special rules that only apply to the Winter Edition will be listed in one of the race updates you’ll receive or on the race instructions.
- We will race snow or shine. In the event of a thunderstorm or blizzard, we will postpone the race until conditions improve.
- Race organizers reserve the right to cancel the event in the case of extended severe weather. We will do everything possible to get the event in, but refunds are not available if it is cancelled due to significant costs we must pay in advance of the race. We would provide you your race shirt and likely provide a small credit for a future race.
- Furry friends aren’t allowed in the race or on site – neither the nature preservice or camp allow them. Sorry about that!
Spectators
- Adventure racing isn’t the ideal spectator sport but we offer race maps to spectators before the race so they can check out some of the fun challenges.
- Invite friends and family to check out the race and they can get warm in the lodge.
AFTER THE RACE
- Honey Creek Inn Cincinnati chili with noodles along with their standard meat and veggie chili. Fruit and hot drinks too.
- Awards/raffle. Can’t stay? We will mail a Gazelle Sport gift certificate to top finishers.
Charity Partner
- The charity challenge money and a portion of the profits will go to a scholarship fund for kids to attend summer camp at Camp Roger who would not normally be able to afford to.
Questions? Our Facebook page is a great place to ask questions and get answers so others can learn from your question. For questions specific to you, email Mark VanTongeren, race director.
Check-in. We recommend arriving to check-in early as we will hand out maps then and you can get most or all of your route complete before the pre-race meeting.- Pre-race meeting. We’ll go over rules, safety issues, answer any questions.
- Race instructions/clues. The race instructions lists key rules, describes the course and the activities, and provides hints about where checkpoints are located along with the numbers of each checkpoint corresponding to the map, passport and punch.
- Passport. The passport is the piece of waterproof paper you’ll punch at each checkpoint to prove you found it. You must not lose it! You will turn this in as your scorecard when you finish racing.
- Checkpoint flag (aka “control”) and punch. You are looking for orange and white 3-sided orienteering flags (technically called control markers). You must punch the correct box in the passport so we can verify you were indeed there. The punch will have a number on it corresponding to your passport. Check it to confirm you got the right one. Each punch has a unique barb pattern to prove teams made it to that flag.
Maps. The map(s) are topographic, showing the shape of the land and terrain details. Sometimes the map is lower resolution USGS. Other times it will be high-detail LIDAR. They are pre-plotted with the checkpoints on them. While not every trail in the area will be on the map, the vast majority usually are. You can waterproof your map with packing tape or contact paper and/or keep it in a waterproof map case or zip lock baggie.- Map reading will be critical. You should also know how to use a compass (baseplate or sighting – with a straightedge), although
you may be able to manage without if you can navigate well with your map. Attend our free clinic (see details earlier on this page) or learn online here. - Order. Checkpoints are usually optional and often times can be found in any order within a section.
- The goal. Maximize the number of checkpoints on your passport within the time limit. If you arrive after the time limit, you will either receive a severe checkpoint penalty or not be counted in the final standings, depending on whether the race is beginner level or not.
Questions? www.facebook.com/miadventurerace is a great place to ask questions and get answers so others can learn from your question. For questions specific to you, email Mark VanTongeren, race director.