I wanted to post a sincere thank you to the Strong Machine organizing team for a great
Maine Summer AR this past weekend.
I'm a firm believer that adventure races need not conform to one definition or style, allowing each event and locale to shine in their own ways. This race featured real sea kayaking around the peninsulas and through the bays of mid-coast Maine . . . trekking through the dense forests . . . low-tide coasteering . . . and biking on rolling back-roads. We encountered ospreys and sea otters, but very few people in such a "settled" region of New England. With both a 10-hour and a 3-hour course running simultaneously, the organization rolled with the punches and saw it all through to a successful conclusion. Great job Kate, Cliff, and crew!
My last adventure race was over 5 years ago, in Ecuador 2012, and the Maine Summer AR has convinced me that I've been on the sidelines for too long. With organizations like Strong Machine putting on creative events that really showcase their area, is there a better way to spend a summer weekend?
I know the organizing side of these events can be demanding. For my part, I'd like to send a thank you to the venues and other organizations who let the race move forward. Kate or Cliff, please let me know the contacts I can reach out to and re-inforce how their support of adventure racing has left me and my team with a very favorable impression of the area and how we will surely return to explore the region further at our next vacation opportunity. My teammate came from London, we tricked a spectator into coming out (who quickly became a race volunteer!) from Spain, and this is the sort of organic, authentic, exposure AR can bring to an area that doesn't require magazine ad buys etc.
Thanks again!
Grant & the Untamed Adventure (and the much faster
UntamedNE.com racing team) crew