Race through the rainforest
Elite adventure teams from around the world converged on Queensland, Australia, for the third annual Eco-Challenge. The teams paddled whitewater rapids, kayaked on open seas, rode horses and mountain bikes, and hiked, climbed, and scrambled their way through canyons, deserts, and rainforests in a quest to reach the finish line.

Race coverage
Live from Down Under
Team Eco-Internet has done it again. The four-person squad beat other elite adventure teams in five days and 20 hours. Between the snakes and the rough terrain, the team survived a tactical error near the finish to hang on to their lead. Throughout the race, Outside Online correspondent Dan Morrison was filing daily reports from Australia.
Final team standings
August 22: Teams sigh with relief as Eco-Challenge closes
August 21: Remaining teams race to beat clock
August 20: Rescues give other teams reason to pause
August 20: Storm puts race on hold
August 19: This year's race has become a 'survival mission' for some
August 19: Storm swamps team's kayak, forces helicopter rescue
August 18: It's not over yet
August 17: Team Eco-Internet seems invincible, wins again
August 17: Race to finish after leaders make tactical error
August 15: Aussies and Kiwis thrive on water sections
August 14: Strategy a moot point as lead teams hit Dark Zone
August 13: Sick racer evacuated; teams tackle 'The Slime'
August 12: Eco-Challenge claims first victims
August 11: Challengers shuffle across the start line

Race feature
By the numbers
A quick look at the rescues, dropouts, successes, and times that made up the 1997 Eco-Challenge.

Race feature
Safety a big job at Eco-Challenge
Chief safety officer Scott Flavelle has the arduous task of keeping the race safe — but not too safe. He's got his work cut out for him, with treacherous big-wall climbs, raging rivers, and high surf. But this quiet British Columbia native has plenty of experience on the big screen.

Competitor's diary
A race to remember
What happens when you combine four folks who just happen to enjoy racing in marathons, triathlons, mountain-bike races, and extreme sports, in addition to being expert kayakers, mountaineers, adventurers, horseback riders, and skiers? Well, let's just put it this way: Better hope you're not racing against them. Team Eco-Internet, led by captain Robert Nagle, will be sending journal entries throughout this year's Eco-Challenge.
Background information on Team Eco-Internet
August 18: Winning Eco-Challenge an experience to remember
August 16: A great day for racing
August 14: Team picks up speed
August 12: Team tackles nasty conditions
August 11: Pre-race hoopla begins at national park

Race preview
Tough land is perfect place for a tough race
What better place to hold a grueling adventure race than a country with deadly serpents, skin-burning plants, man-eating amphibious monsters, and trees with sap that can kill or maim? Australia's north Queensland is host to this year's Eco-Challenge, where competitors will surely meet their match.

Racer profile
No diddling around for defending champion
Run through a desert in 125-degree heat? No problem. Eco-Challenge defending champion Robert Nagle, who recently completed the punishing Marathon des Sables, explains why it's just good fun.

Racer profile
Adventure racing a natural step for lifelong athlete
With 16 top-ten Ironman finishes under her belt, Terry Schneider, of Team S.C.A.R., believed adventure racing to be the next step in her athletic career. Now, despite a few anxieties, Schneider says nothing short of a lost leg could keep her from the finish line.

Racer profile
Racer hesitated to R.O.A.M. around the world
After two disappointing races, Andy Petranek had thought of not competing at all this year. That is until he and a few friends happened to qualify for the Eco-Challenge. Now he's put his hiatus on hold and hopes to lead his Team R.O.A.M. to victory.

Racer profile
Top adventure racer has 'fire in the belly'
Don't let the sunny disposition fool you. If you try to keep up with adventure racer Louise Cooper-Lovelace, this 43-year-old expat from South Africa will leave your pathetic carcass in the dust.

Looking back
Outside Online's 1996 coverage
Last year's Eco-Challenge through the wilds north of Whistler, British Columbia, was a sampler of all sorts of weather, conditions, and struggles. Only 14 of the original 73 teams made it to the finish line, after pouring rains, mountain rescues, and tangled brush took their toll on the world's toughest racers.