North Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race
Are you looking for excitement? The 14th Annual Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race will be April 9, 2011. It has grown since its inception in 1998, to become one of the premier adventure races in the Southeast. Up to 100 teams are expected to compete this year, welcoming spring to the North Georgia Mountains. The race always includes three parts: mountain biking, running and water-based activities. It also can include rappelling, orienteering, wet river crossings and climbing. Mystery challenges along the course are thrown in for additional thrills. Since the race changes from year to year, the course and the events are a closely guarded secret. This year’s race theme is “Art and Adventure,” with the finish line in downtown Blue Ridge Park in front of the Art Center. If you’re not prepared to participate in the race, please come celebrate and congratulate the competitors as they cross the finish line. There will be plenty of food and live entertainment to enjoy.
If, however, you think you’d like to race, here’s what to expect. Each team has three members and one support person. To receive a trophy, a team must be coed. But, “all female” or “all male” teams are welcome to compete. The course is approximately 35 miles and designed for completion in 6 to 9 hours. There is an Open Division, a Master’s Division for the over forty set, and a Youth Division. The cost for competing is $300 per team. All participants must be members of the US Adventure Racing Association. (You can get a one-time membership easily on-line.) Part of the fun is choosing a team name. For example, past teams have called themselves “Beauty & the Beasts,” “Slower Than We Look,” and “The Soggy Bottom Boys.”
The teams start assembling around 7:00 AM. Last year’s race was on a perfect day, sunny and clear, starting at 32 degrees with frost on the ground and rose to the low 70’s. But, this has been a crazy year for weather everywhere. Be prepared for all types of weather and course conditions. Your team will be given a map with Check Points and Transition Areas along the way. Teams must stay together throughout the course, unless otherwise instructed. 
The 2010 Race was full of surprises and led teams into three states, two rivers, a lake and two national forests. The race is designed to challenge not only one’s strength and endurance, but also one’s critical and creative thinking. Several choices will have to be made as to the routes taken to reach the next Check Point and the equipment used to get there. Usually not all Check Points are found. The winner of the race will be the fastest team with the most Check Points. The Blue Ridge Adventure Race is very tough and not for wimps.
But, if this sounds like fun to you and you’re ready for the challenge, get your team together and come paddle, bike and navigate your way through the beautiful scenery of the North Georgia Mountains.
We hope you will come experience the sights and sounds and adventures of North Georgia! Please come stay with us at RainbowCabins of North Georgia.