Gobi Gateway: Part of a four-way blitz of the world's dry zones (Digital Stock)
Of course, the essence of adventure racing lies in the thrill of competition. However, not all adventure races should be defined by a top-of-the-table finish. For some, such organized events are a sort of vicarious adventure tourism that combines the well-run organization of your best outfitters, the thrill of traveling some new stretch of wilderness, and the constant company of some of you best mates.
The U.K.'s annual National Three Peaks Challenge (www.ukoutdoorpursuits.co.uk) is a 24-hour marathon to the summits of the three highest peaks in Wales (hummocky Snowdonia), England (scree-strewn Scafell Pike), and Scotland (unpredictable Ben Nevis). Though typically a charity fundraising effort, it's also prized by independent hikers who are seeking new adventurous horizons. Here, the usual disciplines of route-finding, hiking, and running combine with tackling the U.K.'s notoriously snarled highways, substandard roadside fare, and sleep deprivation. The 2005 Three Peaks event will take place June 23-26.
The 4 Deserts Challenge (www.racingtheplanet.com) pits teams and individuals against the world's harshest desert terrain; namely, China's Gobi, Chile's Atacama Desert, the Sahara in Eygpt, and Antarctica. Three-person teams race to complete a six-stage, 150-mile course over the period of one week, all while schlepping food and gear to get them through each day. Beyond a complimentary T-shirt and medal, overall winners presumably compete for the knowledge that even the toughest landscape is traversable with the right kind of iron will.
Check out the website SleepMonsters.com for a comprehensive worldwide listing of adventure races in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and beyond.
