Race Info

This race will encompass all of the disciplines of adventure racing and be an achievable race for the beginner. We are doing this by making the navigation straight forward, no hidden checkpoints or confusing instructions. We also build our courses around most participants finishing under the cutoff. Expect to be racing for 12 to 16 hours for the Long Course and 8 to 12 hours for the Short Course.

Our organization prides ourselves on being able to provide you with a challenging, yet achievable, event which is professionally run and fun for everyone.

The goal of each of our events is to promote adventure racing and further the sport. With our events and clinics, everyone can come out and enjoy our event. From the veteran racer to the beginning adventure racer we make our races challenging, yet achievable.

A poker run for a prize within the race. Also, our Race HQ will include a small "expo" showcasing some outdoor and adventure related items for all to see. Also, a post race party complete with some "adult beverages", music and entertainment.

Whats a Poker Run? Click here!

Important Dates and Times:

• Registration Deadlines (see entry fees section)

• 4/13/2012: Pre-Race Registration and Skills Tests 4:00pm to 7:00pm (contact us if you cannot make it before 7pm)

• 4/13/2012: Pre-Race Meeting, 7:00pm

• 4/142012: Long Course and Short Course - Race Start, TBA

• 414/2012: Long Course and Short Course - Race Cutoff, TBA

• 4/14/2012: Awards and Post Race Meal, 7:00pm

• 4/14/2012: Socializing Party and the "Adult Beverages", 8:00pm

Lodging:

• Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa will be offering discounted rates for our event this discount is for race participants, support crews and their fans. There are also a limited number of close RV sites at Mountain Harbor as well. Contact Mountain Harbor Resort at (870)867-2191 for information and reservations. No lodging is included in the race entry fees.

• Campgrounds with the Corps of Engineers are also located within a few miles of the start. You may contact them at (870)867-4472 for Joplin, (870) 867-4476 for Tompkins Bend and (870)867-4475 for Denby Point to see if they are full. All of these campsites are first come first serve for this time of year. No Corps of Engineers campsites are included in the race entry fees.

• A limited number of campsites will be available around the registration/check-in pavilion. These are free of charge, but are not "formal" sites. These are a first come first serve for the best locations. There are bathrooms and showers available at the pavilion for race participants. Please email us once you register to let us know you would like to utilize the sites at the registration/check-in area.

Note on Support Crews:

We will be utilizing a remote point for our transition areas, support crews will not be required, but still may be used at the points. Teams will drop needed gear at this point before the start and will retrieve them after the race. If you wish to have observers for your team they may observe at transition areas and along the course, but will not be allowed to assist in any way.

Pre-Race Navigation Clinic:

We will have a navigation clinic at Mountain Harbor Resort (at the race HQ) prior to the race on April 13^th. The clinic will start at 2pm and will be $15 for each person who is not a registered racer (registered racers are free). This will cover UTM plotting, understanding instructions, course decision making and practical navigation. The participants will also be able to go out on the same terrain as the next day’s race and practice navigation. This of course will not be the exact same course as the race.

Participants will need to bring the following:

• Pencil

• UTM Plotter

• Ruler/Yard Stick/ Straight Edge

• Compass (With Adjustable Declination and Bezel)

• Hydration Pack or Water Bottles

• Headlamp or Flashlight

 Just show up for the clinic, payment will be needed at that time. Stay for the race or feel free to volunteer.

Directions to Resort and Race Check-In (Google Maps):

 
View Ozark Extreme's Ouachita Adventure Race in a larger map

It is our goal to keep these races as affordable as possible so that many more people may have the opportunity to experience adventure racing. This race will have a planned maximum of 50 Teams of 2 or 3 and 20 Solos . Race Maximums may be extended depending on early registration at the discretion of race management.

Online registration will close 2 days before the event. We will take registrations on the Friday before the event at the race check-in location.

To register click here.

Online registration ends 2 days prior to event at 1200am. Mail in registration ends 5 days prior to the event. Online registration may be extended by race management.

The race course will be a half day event with a race day, to be announced cutoff where all racers must be back at the start by the designated cutoff. Both courses are setup of a mix of paved road, forest roads, trail, bushwhacking (off trail hiking), all while navigating the course. See course descriptions below.

All courses will consist of the following disciplines:

 

Trekking – Participants will trek (run or hike) 6 to 12 miles depending on course. The course may consist of paved trails/streets and dirt roads and trails.

 

Mountain Biking – The mountain bike section will be approximately 15 to 40 miles depending on course and can consist of paved areas, gravel roads, and single track (thin dirt trails) sections.

 

Paddling – Paddling section will be approximately 4 to 12 miles, depending on course. Paddling will be done with a canoe and regular paddle or a sit-on-top kayak with kayak paddles (boat will depend on race organizers. All similar class racers will use the same type of boat and paddles). All racers will wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) at all times while on the water and during night races will have a working glow stick affixed to the PFD and on the boat. Boats, Paddles, and PFD's will be provided by race management.

Teams may use their own paddles and PFDs, but must carry their paddles only through a pre-determined amount of the course.
Also NEW for 2012. SOLOs will be allowed to bring their own kayak or canoe. Please contact race management about details.

 

Team Special Tests – Each participant may have to complete a special skill (these will be determined by the race staff prior to the event.) or be awarded a penalty. These skills will consist of physical and problem solving skills and are designed to challenge you as a team. Examples are rappelling, rock climbing or team building tests. 

 

Orienteering/ Navigation -  Racers will navigate through the course using a map and compass, while collecting checkpoints along the course. Racers must know how to plot a course, using a UTM reader and coordinates, and navigate terrain on a 1:24K topographic map. No Electronic devices other than an altimeter may be used. (Clinics are offered).

 

Course Navigation and all general navigation checkpoints will be visible for 20 meters (roughly 60 feet) circle.

 

Orienteering/ROGAINE checkpoints (this section will be designated on race instructions) will be marked similarly, with the only exception that the checkpoints will guaranteed visible for only 10 meters (roughly 30 feet) away and may be navigated in whichever order the participant chooses.

 

What the heck is a Poker Run? A poker run is an event that requires participants to arrive at 5 pre determined checkpoints and draw a playing card which is sealed in an envelope. For our Poker Run, 5 checkpoints will have a bucket with a selection of cards in it. Racers will draw, and have to keep up with, their cards throughout the race.  Racers will collect all 5 to participate and will hold the cards, still sealed in their envelopes, until the post race dinner. There they will turn them in, have them unsealed, and get to see their "hand". The top 4 hands get to play a hand of poker to win prizes. Cards must remain sealed in their envelopes until they are turned in at the post race dinner.

Each team or solo must carry the required gear below at all times throughout the race, unless otherwise noted.    Long and Short Course Race Gear    Printable List (.PDF) (Printable list is marked with "long course" but is for both courses!)   Personal Equipment: (This equipment must be with each individual racing at all times, unless otherwise instructed.)   Racing Backpack or equivalent to hold personal and team gear* Hydration system or bottles to hold a min of 70oz of water.* Headlamp* Whistle* 3 Glow sticks - One Glow Stick for emergencies and Two for Canoe/Kayak (See below) Emergency Blanket or Bivy* Waterproof Jacket Fleece, Wool or Synthetic Top* Fleece, Wool or Synthetic Hat (Buffs™ and similar styled headwear allowed)* Dry Bag or Sealable Plastic Bag (Large enough to hold all gear inside backpack.) Lighter or Waterproof Matches* Gloves, long fingered strongly suggested Rappelling Harness and Rappelling Device (Management will provide harnesses and rappelling devices, but people with harnesses and equipment will move ahead of racers waiting on equipment) Extra Batteries for Headlamp* Compass* Reflective belt or vest.        * Marked equipment must be on each person at all times, unless otherwise directed.    Team/Solo Equipment: (Each item is only required per-team or solo)   Waterproof Map Case UTM tool Flashlight (small, backup light source) Cell phone or GMRS/FRS Radio in Waterproof Bag First-Aid Kit 4 4x4 Dressings (2 for Solos) 1 Roll of Waterproof Medical Tape 1 3” Ace Bandage 3 Doses of Pain Killers (1 dose for Solos) 6 Band-Aids (2 for Solo) Small tube or packet (2ounces min) of Antibacterial Ointment   Mountain Biking Equipment: (Each item is one per person unless designated otherwise.)   Mountain Bike Helmet Spare Tube CO2 Inflator or Small Pump Red Rear Light White Front Light (Strong possibility of riding at night!) Bike Repair Kit (1 per team) Tire Tools Chain Tool   Paddling Equipment: (Each item is one per person unless designated otherwise.)   Canoe or Sit on Top Kayak (Provided by race management) *Solo racers may provide their own Canoe or Kayak. Interested Solos must contact race organizers for prior approval.) PFD (provided by race management. Personal PFDs are Allowed.) Paddle (provided by race management. Personal Paddles Allowed.) Two Glow Sticks (one for front and rear of canoe or kayak, per team) Sling Seat or Canoe Center Seat (suggested for teams of three)   *Individuals may carry any other items they wish. Spare bike tubes and pumps or quick inflate canisters are recommended, but not required. No electronic navigational devices other than altimeters will be allowed. ** Some localities require the use of a white front light and red tail light on public roads. May not need to be used for every race.     ** Solo racers in either the advanced sprint race category must carry all individual and team equipment.