RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Teams from all over the country will converge on southwest Texas next month for Laughlin Air Force Base's Adventure Race VI.
The 35-mile race, which is set for April 10, is a triathlon-style team event that features biking, hiking and racing and includes two divisions - "relay" for five- to eight-person teams and "xtreme" for four-person teams.
This year's race will start at the Losano Fitness Center at Laughlin, where the participants will be informed about the course, which is a secret until race day, and receive a safety briefing.
"Each year the race is changed slightly to add to the adventure of the race and also based on feedback we receive from our participants," said 2nd Lt. Michelle Mahar, race director and 47th Force Support Squadron chief of customer support. "The course is kept top secret until the day of the race."
She said keeping the course secret until race day doesn't allow teams to gain an advantage by being able to practice on the course.
Lieutenant Mahar said the name of the race aptly describes it.
"The appeal of this race is that it is an adventure," said Lieutenant Mahar. "It is not like your typical biathlon because it has rafting instead of swimming. The course takes you from our base to our marina and we get to take advantage of Lake Amistad."
Lt. Col. Gregg Kopeck, who was a member of Randolph's "Continuous Motion" xtreme team for two of the three years they won their division title, agrees the race is an adventure.
"We've broken countless paddles in these races, gotten lost and made wrong turns and at least one wipeout that I remember," he said. "Last year we competed as a three-man team due to an emergency leave the day prior to the race."
Now assigned to Eglin AFB, Fla., Colonel Kopeck said he finds the entire race, which includes 28 miles of biking and seven miles of rafting and trail and road running, a challenge.
"Historically we've had issues with the raft portion," he said. "They've changed it up a bit over the last three years, and it has always been a wild card as to how the equipment is going to hold up. Riding a mountain bike on a predominantly paved course is tough, too. Then there's the 'mystery event.'"
Colonel Kopeck said what he likes most about the race is that it "brings military members, families and friends together to compete."
"I think it makes it easier for people who wouldn't normally compete in an event like this to get a chance to do so," he said.
Lieutenant Mahar said more than 50 teams competed in the event last year, but organizers hope 75 teams will participate in the sixth Adventure Race.
She said anyone over the age of 16 - or 14 if their guardian is on the same team - may compete if they are physically able.
Registration will continue throughout the month; entry fee is $100 per team.
"We encourage as many people as possible to participate," Lieutenant Mahar said. "It will challenge you physically, but is also a great way to grow as a team and have fun. Participants should focus on the adventure part rather than the race and come out for a great day."
For more information, call 830-298-5830 or e-mail 47svs.marketing@laughlin.af.mil.