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CHALLENGE THE SHIELD
MULTISPORT ADVENTURE RACE
Parry Sound, ON
AUGUST 26, 2023
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OVERVIEW
The Challenge the Shield Adventure Race is an awe-inspiring wilderness endurance challenge on the rugged Canadian Shield. Teams of two have up to 6 hours to tackle as many of the 40 checkpoint or segment challenges amongst the iconic windswept pines, pristine lakes and granite rock barrens as they choose. The "choose-your-own-adventure" points-based course design is both beginner-friendly and an epic challenge of strategy and adventure for even the most experienced teams. Each of the checkpoints or segments are assigned both a difficulty rating and either a trek, paddle, bike or run discipline so teams can focus on their endurance sport strengths while also trying new challenges. Shred some wicked advanced black diamond MTB single track. Navigate to as many of the beginner and intermediate checkpoints as possible. Paddle and portage to a backcountry lake. You decide the adventure! Challenge your friends. Challenge the Shield! HOST SITE Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre 
RACE FORMAT 6-hour time limit. A total of 40 checkpoint or segment challenges totaling 2,500 points are up for grabs over the four race disciplines (trek, paddle, bike and run). A penalty of 100 points for every minute (or part) over the time limit. Each of the trek, paddle, and bike disciplines have 12 checkpoints or segments totaling 750 points while the run discipline has four segments for a total of 250 points. The trek, paddle and bike sections of the course have been designed to have a similar time of completion by an experienced team. The race begins with a mandatory run segment and teams must finish on foot and the rest of the race is completely optional so teams can customize their adventure by doing as much or as little of the race course as they wish. CHECKPOINT AND SEGMENT CHALLENGES A checkpoint is a feature in the landscape that a team must navigate to using the race map while a segment is a marked route on a trail that teams must follow. These challenges are marked on race maps like this: 
The colour-shape difficulty rating system is used to indicate the physical and technical difficulty of the challenges:
Trek: 12 checkpoints, 750 pts (4 x Beginner, 3 x Intermediate, 2 x Advanced, 2 x Expert, 1 x Backcountry*)
Bike: 12 segments, 750 points (4 x Beginner, 3 x Intermediate, 2 x Advanced, 2 x Expert, 1 x Backcountry*) Paddle: 12 checkpoints, 750 points (4 x Beginner, 3 x Intermediate, 2 x Advanced, 2 x Expert, 1 x Backcountry*) Run: 4 segments, 250 points (1 x Beginner, 1 x Intermediate, 1 x Advanced, 1 x Expert) *For family and junior teams three Treasure challenges (150 points) replace backcountry challenges. TRANSITION AREA The transition area (TA) is where all the action is during the adventure race and a great place for friends and families to watch the action or volunteer. The race begins with a required run segment from the start/finish area to the TA. Once teams get to the TA they can then do any of the disciplines they choose but must return to the TA before attempting challenges in another discipline. The TA will be stocked with water, food and other goodies from the 2 and 5 hour mark of the race. Teams must return to the TA from all bike and paddle disciplines by the 5 hour mark. During registration before the race teams will drop off their bikes, boats, etc. in an allocated spot at the TA so they can leave additional equipment at the TA to use at different times in the race. CATEGORIES Coed, Male, Female, Masters (average age >50), Junior (average age <18), and Family (one adult, one child <16) *age as of December 31, 2023. AWARDS & PRIZES Awards will be given to the first place team in all categories and to the top 3 teams in all categories with at least 10 entries. We also hope to have some draw prizes from our sponsors. RULES & REQUIRED GEAR All participants are required to review the Challenge the Shield 6-hour Adventure Race rules and carry required gear during the race. Coming spring 2023. REGISTRATION & ENTRY FEE Tentative fees ADULT: Early: $175/team. Normal: $200/team FAMILY: Early: $125/team. Normal: $150/team JUNIOR: Early: $75/team. Normal: $100/team *Entry fee includes race maps, post-event hot food, and event insurance. Entry fee does not include Zone-4 online transaction. Registration opens in November, 2022. EVENT DAY SCHEDULE 0730-0915: Gear drop, required gear check and race packet and map pick-up 0900 Free navigation tips clinic 0930 Pre-race briefing 1000 Mass start 1600 Finish 1630-1730 Post-race meal and awards CONTACT Wil Smith and Mike Waddington ChallengeTheShield365@gmail.com ADVENTURE RACING ONTARIO SERIES Challenge the Shield 6-hour Adventure Race is an official race in the 2023 Adventure Racing Ontario Series. For more information on other races in the Adventure Racing Ontario Series click the logo. |
