For those unfamiliar with adventure racing it is easiest to think of it as an off-road triathlon (though unlikely to include swimming) where teams of people have to work and stay together as they cover a course that they have never laid eyes on before.

Teams are given maps of the course just hours before the beginning of the race and are required to use their skills with the map and a compass (i.e. navigational skills) to plan a route and then traverse the course.

A course is usually broken up into stages with each of the stages being one of a number of disciplines. Typically, adventure races are dominated by mountain biking, trekking and kayaking, though other disciplines such as rope work are often included. Each stage will consist of a number of checkpoints that the teams have to navigate to. In between stages are transition areas. This is where teams change from one mode of transport to another (e.g. from bike to kayak). It is also typically the only time that teams will see race officials and have access to any support facilities.

A course can have any number of stages. Typically a 24 hour race will comprise of 8-12 stages. Teams normally have to complete the stages and checkpoints in order and the first team to complete them all wins.  Team are usually categorised by the gender of their members (i.e. male, female or mixed). Often, race organisers try to encourage mixed teams by stipulating that, though any team can cross the finish line first, only the first mixed team to finish can officially win the race.

Adventure racing combines the best of the outdoors with the competitive spirit of multisports, racers will face may challenges and will require determination to complete the course, but will also have their team mates to support them as they work their way to the finish.