Last summer, Carin Hyter and Joshua Jacobson went to see the movie “Arthur the King,” a movie based on the true life story of a man who rescued a dog while competing in a world championship adventure race. Until then, neither Carin or Josh had heard of adventure racing. Intrigued, the couple researched the sport more and decided to try it.
They found that adventure racing has races across the United States. After finding one in Cable, Wis., close to Josh’s mom’s home, they decided to go for it. Carin and Josh entered The Stubborn Mule as a team, calling their team Harlow’s Homies in honor of their own dog.
Carin and Josh entered the co-ed double division of the race and chose to do the 5-hour race. Other possible durations included 12-hour and 24-hour time limits. Other divisions included family, coed premier consisting of three or four people, two-person women, two-person men, and solo men and women.
Adventure racing consists of bicycling, trekking and canoeing. It is not the same as a triathlon. In a triathlon, racers compete on the same exact course, beginning the race at the same time. In adventure racing, the competitors are given three maps of the race area and have an hour to map their own navigation route before starting the race. No phones are permitted on the race; phones had to be wrapped in plastic and duct tape and were to be used only in an emergency.
The racers have a time limit in which to reach as many checkpoints as possible. While planning their route, Carin and Josh had to decide how many checkpoints they wanted to get. At first they thought they’d try for all 25 checkpoints, but quickly realized they needed to eliminate five of the farthest ones.
In order to prepare for adventure racing, both Carin and Josh calculated how many of their paces comprised a tenth of a mile so they could estimate distances and times. Josh googled and watched YouTube videos about adventure racing and practiced navigating with his compass. He also practiced looking at topographical maps and got to know the wording used with the maps.
The Stubborn Mule had a unique start for the race. Teams needed to create a bead pyrolace bracelet and then could begin the race. Each team followed their own navigation plan for the race so they took off in all different directions. Carin and Josh quickly decided they shouldn’t follow the crowd, but rather trust Josh’s navigation. In adventure racing, they had no idea how other teams were doing – they couldn’t see the progress of other teams.
At each checkpoint of the race, one of them had to get out and scan their electronic chip with a posted sign. The checkpoints were not always easy to see; sometimes they were down in a gully or hidden by trees.
As time went on, they needed to adjust their plans. Carin and Josh decided to eliminate the second biking section of the race and move on to the second trek section which had checkpoints closer to each other. They went off the trail and bushwhacked through the trees for a while to use a shortcut. In order to make those quick decisions, they really needed to get along.
When Josh and Carin entered the town hall for the awards ceremony once the time was up, they still had no idea how they’d done. Shocked, they scanned a screen to see the results.
Josh and Carin got first place in their division and had completed their 15 checkpoints race in four hours and 42 minutes. The second and third place couples each got only 14 checkpoints. Out of a total of 45 teams, Josh and Carin got fifth place overall.
To physically prepare for adventure racing, Josh and Carin use the Root River Bike Trail and climb the nearby bluffs. In the winter they make use of gym memberships. Josh and Carin also compete in triathlons in the Winona, Houston and Rushford areas. Carin had been running in triathlons since 2019; Josh started competing in triathlons last year. Carin shared that she needs competition and enjoys working out together with Josh. Josh had struggled working out to keep in shape until they started working out together.
Healthy eating is important to the couple. The day before a race they stress hydrating and carb loading; race day they emphasize electrolytes.
For a recent triathlon, Carin used a road bike from Owl City Cycles and got advice from the shop owner. The couple used Trek road bikes for The Stubborn Mule. Carin is still navigating which shoes are best for her after suffering tendonitis in her knee the week before their race.
The couple has two more adventure races coming up this year — they’ll be in Milwaukee November 1 and Wausau December 6. Their goal is to compete in four races a year, one each season of the year. They already travel to do intentional longer hiking trips; they hope to do more adventure races throughout the tristate area.
For Carin and Josh, adventure racing builds their relationship, helps with communication and is a wonderful hobby. They enjoy the very supportive, encouraging adventure racing community. Josh commented, “It’s great to see families doing this together!” He continued, “Adventure racing is challenging for both your mind and body! If you are already doing 5ks or triathlons, adventure racing brings it to a whole ‘nother level of competition. Get out of your comfort zone!”
Carin agreed, “I’d love to bring the next generation to do this. I love disconnecting from technology, traveling and seeing the world one little race at a time.”
Josh and Carin live by Carin’s motto, “Someday we won’t be able to do this, but today is not that day!”
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