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The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast welcomes you to our world. Come hear from racers, race directors, fans of AR, and everyone in between.
The podcast's out there, you pick it up, it's yours, you don't, I got no sympathy for you. (as inspired by Glengarry Glenn Ross)
The podcast's out there, you pick it up, it's yours, you don't, I got no sympathy for you. (as inspired by Glengarry Glenn Ross)
155 Episodes
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Thank you to Liz and Michelle Faucher of Adventure Addicts Racing for coming onto the show to reveal and discuss the 2024 USARA National Championship Race Course. This conversation is being released at the very start of the race so that fans, dotwatchers, and at-home teammates can get a sense of this challenging and rugged race course. See the tracking link below. Thank you for being a listener. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in helping elevate the sport. Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking! Shownotes:TRACKING LINK - https://live.enabledtracking.com/usara2024/www.usara.comhttps://www.adventureaddictsracing.com/https://ardarkzone.com/Sponsor Links:https://www.ascendathletics.org/https://www.thearschool.com/
Thank you to Lyndie Hill and John Ford of Expedition Canada for coming on the show to discuss the ARWS 2025 World Championship in British Columbia. They go deep about the race location, the beauty and challenge of the area, being good Canadian hosts, and their race design philosophy. This episode has just enough beta to whet your racing appetite. Follow the links below for registration information. Thank you for being a listener. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in helping elevate the sport. Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking! Shownotes:https://www.expeditionracecanada.ca/https://arworldseries.com/races/expedition-canada-canadahttps://arworldseries.com/https://www.swampdonkeyar.com/https://mindovermountain.com/momar/https://ardarkzone.com/Sponsor Links:https://www.ascendathletics.org/https://www.thearschool.com/
Thank you to Darren Steinbach and Chelsey Magness for coming onto the show for a TDZ Flash Episode. Recording live from the Expedition Oregon finish line, Darren and Chelsey walk us through the race course, the team experience, the challenging terrain, and their immersive race media style. Flash episodes are built for publishing speed so this episode is lightly edited and a peek into the highs and lows of putting on a multi-day race. Thank you for being a listener. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in helping elevate the sport. Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking! Shownotes:https://www.bendracing.com/expeditionoregon2024https://ardarkzone.com/Sponsor Links:https://www.ascendathletics.org/https://www.thearschool.com/
Thank you to Luis Becdach for coming onto the show. Luis is the perfect guest when discussing the upcoming ARWS World Championships in Ecuador. A longtime racer, Luis has raced Worlds multiple times and knows Ecuador like the back of his mano. Having raced alongside him in Huairasinchi in 2021, TDZ can attest to the accuracy of that last sentence. A wild, rugged place, Ecuador is a true adventure racing destination and this episode goes deep on how to prepare for what the teams will face in November. Thank you for being a listener. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in helping elevate the sport. Remember - You Keep Racing, and we'll Keep Talking! Shownotes:https://www.proyectoaventura.com/site/13/home_arwc24https://ardarkzone.com/Sponsor Links:https://www.ascendathletics.org/https://www.thearschool.com/
TDZ is happy to support The Checkpoint presented by the United States Adventure Racing Association through this crosspost of their Episode #6. Thank you for being a listener and thank you for supporting USARA. Episode Details Below: Welcome to Episode 6 of USARA's The Checkpoint Podcast. In this episode, Brent speaks with Allen Wagner of Broad Run Off Road Racing about his upcoming Fall Foliage Adventure Race. An increasingly popular race, the Fall Foliage is a great race for beginners and veterans alike. Our second segment is a deep dive into past USARA National Championships with Stephanie Ross and Tray Farrar. Packed with stories, adventures, and the challenges of presenting a national championship, this episode is a great way to prepare for next month's USARA National Championship Race in Snowshoe, West Virginia. Thanks to Brian Gatens of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast for his assistance.Be sure to visit the United States Adventure Racing Association at www.usara.comThank you for stopping by The Checkpoint. Don't stay here too long. There's training and racing to get to! Shownotes:https://www.usara.com/www.ardarkzone.com
TDZ helps the United States Adventure Racing Association with 'The Checkpoint' Podcast. In editing Episode #6, Steph Ross and Troy Farrar were asked by Host Brent Freedland about their favorite USARA National Championship memories. Their answers were so interesting, fun, and poignant that we pulled them out for Episode 100.5 of TDZ. Call it a 'TDZ Short.' Not a full episode but a small taste of the stories that underpin TDZ's love of AR, and we're happy to share it here. Be sure to follow the links below for more information: Shownotes:https://www.usara.com/2024-national-championshipsSponsor Links:https://www.ascendathletics.org/https://www.thearschool.com/
Thank you to Grant Killian for joining us for our 100th episode. Untamed New England holds a special place in the AR World as well as for The Dark Zone as it was the first expedition race that we tackled. A legendary race, UTNE was known not only for its challenging terrain and navigation, but for the ethic of exploration and discovery brought to the event by Grant. Even though the UTNE was last held in 2018, the DNA of his race lived on in many of today's most popular races (and we hope that this episode will help bring UTNE back!). Shownotes:http://untamedne.com/_/Sponsor Links:https://www.ascendathletics.org/https://www.thearschool.com/
Thank you to Nathalie Long, Race Director for Raid The Rockies, for joining TDZ to talk about her newest stage race in the Canadian Rockies, her own racing career, and a little race called UTMB. Natalie runs the well-named Adventure Immersion Lab and her racers got their fair share of immersion at the inaugural Raid the Rockies. Shownotes:https://www.adventureimmersionlab.ca/https://arworldseries.com/races/raid-the-rockies-canadahttps://utmb.world/Sponsor Links:https://www.ascendathletics.org/
In this episode of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast, host Brian Gatens welcomes John Karlsson, captain of Team SAFAT, the reigning Adventure Racing World Champions. Known for their precision, discipline, and calm under pressure, SAFAT has come to define the standard of excellence in expedition racing.John shares his introduction to the sport, his growth as a racer, and the lessons learned on the journey from first-time competitor to world champion. He offers an inside look at the team’s mindset, their approach to success, and the chemistry that fueled their dominance. But with whispers that SAFAT’s future may be uncertain, this conversation carries an undercurrent of reflection—about legacy, leadership, and what comes next.As always, you keep racing—and we’ll keep talking.Shownotes: Team SAFAT - https://www.facebook.com/swedisharmedforcesadventureteam/Sponsor Links:Nuataaq Carabiner Hydration Bottle - www.nuataaq.comShenandoah Epic Adventure Race - https://www.adventureenablers.com/
Happy October, TDZ NationHere is a quick 5-minute update following the Adventure Racing World Series AR World Championship in Penticton, British Columbia. TDZ was onsite to help with media, and the race was quite the ride. Per the episode, everyone involved in the race - racers, supporters, volunteers, family, media, EVERYONE - is encouraged to record and send a 90-second (or so) voice message/memo to brian@ardarkzone.com or send via WhatsApp if you have that info. Include your name, your role, and your team (if applicable) and share your thoughts on the race or a great story. All submissions will be used to create a special episode of TDZ. You keep talking, and we'll keep editing!
Welcome to The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast. From time to time, we like to support our companion podcast, The Course Reveal, by crossposting special episodes.———————————————————–Welcome to a special episode of The Course Reveal Podcast, a companion show to The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast. Today, we turn our attention to the 2025 Subaru Canada Adventure Racing World Championship, where the best teams on the planet will converge in Penticton, British Columbia, to chase the ultimate prize in the sport.This year’s race features an epic 799-kilometer course, with teams racing for up to 9 days across glaciers, mountain ranges, whitewater rivers, and backcountry roads while visiting remote villages along the way. Expect rugged mountains, complex navigation, and the dramatic landscapes of British Columbia as athletes push through a relentless test of strategy, endurance, and teamwork.We’re joined by three key voices behind the event: Lyndie Hill of Hoodoo Adventures, Race Director John Ford, and Course Designer Alex Man. They go deep into the course, the challenges faced by the racers, and their pride and joy in bringing the ARWC to British Columbia. Together, they’ll guide us through the vision for this year’s championship, the details of the course design, and why British Columbia is the perfect stage for the world’s toughest teams.If you like what you hear, please subscribe, like, and share. TCR is designed to give at-home fans and dotwatchers another opportunity to connect with and enjoy the world of adventure racing.You Keep Watching, and We’ll Keep Talking.Shownotes:Race Website - https://www.expeditionracecanada.ca/Tracking Website - https://www.expeditionracecanada.ca/livetrackmedia
Welcome to The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast. From time to time, we like to support our companion podcast, The Course Reveal, by crossposting special episodes. -----------------------------------------------------------Welcome to a special episode of The Course Reveal Podcast. Today, we turn our attention to the 2025 United States Adventure Racing National Championship, where the best teams in the country will gather in Northwest Arkansas to battle for the top of the podium.This year’s Nationals features a demanding 230-kilometer course, with 78 teams racing against the clock for up to 30 hours across trekking, mountain biking, and paddling stages. Expect rugged terrain, steep climbs, and the wild beauty of the Ozarks as racers push themselves through a nonstop test of endurance and teamwork.We’re joined by two key voices at the heart of the event: Stephanie Ross, Nationals Coordinator, and Michael Garrison, Executive Director of USARA. Together, they’ll guide us through the vision behind this year’s championship, the details of the course design, and what makes Northwest Arkansas such a powerful stage for the sport.If you like what you hear, please subscribe, like, and share. TCR is designed to offer the at-home fan/dotwatcher another opportunity to enjoy and engage with their favorite races. You Keep Watching, and We'll Keep Talking.Shownotes:Race Website - https://www.usara.com/2025-national-championshipsTracking Website - https://live.enabledtracking.com/usara2025/
Welcome to a special edition of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast. Our sister show, The Course Reveal Podcast, is your spot for adventure racing course breakdowns and interviews with race directors, but for championship races we like to crosspost those episodes to what we call The Big Feed. See below for this show's highlighted race. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Welcome to the Course Reveal Podcast. Join Course Director Lauri Hollo as he breaks down each stage of Endurance Quest Saimaa.As the Adventure Racing European Championship, this race will bring 60 teams from 12 countries to the Savonlinna region of Finland, and winners will earn a coveted spot at the ARWS World Championships. The course includes more than 70 km of trekking, 125 km of mountain biking, 44 km of paddling, and 2 km of swimming – plus climbing and rope challenges. Competitors have up to 30 hours to complete the race course.This demanding course will be the highlight of the European adventure racing season.If you like what you hear, please subscribe, like, and share. TCR is designed to offer the at-home fan/dotwatcher another opportunity to enjoy and engage with their favorite races. You Keep Watching, and We'll Keep Talking.Shownotes:Race Website - https://www.endurancequest.org/Tracking Link - https://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/2025eq/
In this episode of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast, we welcome Olga Huber of Team Fragile Flowers. A well-known racer, Olga has taken on a growing number of events, both with teammates and solo. She loves AR, and she enjoys learning from all of her experiences. Wise, direct, and thoughtful, Olga shares so much with TDZ. When she speaks, school is in session. Enjoy! Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport. Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking!
The mountains, midges, and lochs of Scotland are putting racers to the test at ITERA and ITERA-Lite. In this Flash Episode, Race Director Paul McGreal joins The Dark Zone to share not just the leaderboard highlights, but the many stories from the trail — teams helping each other through brutal weather, challenging stages, in-race competitions, and gritty comebacks after early setbacks. From the sharp end of the race to the determined mid and back of the pack teams, this update captures the iconic ITERA. Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport. Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking! Shownotes: ARWS Page: https://arworldseries.com/races/itera-2025-scotlandTracking Page ITERA - https://live.durtyevents.com/itera2025/Tracking Page ITERA-Lite -https://live.durtyevents.com/iteralite2025/Course Reveal Part 1 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-course-reveal-podcast/id1830676195?i=1000721371672Course Reveal Part 2 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-course-reveal-podcast/id1830676195?i=1000721654274
Welcome to The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast. Today’s episode takes us north to the wild, water-rich terrain of Finland, where host Brian Gatens is joined by Lauri Hollo —longtime racer, passionate advocate for the sport, and Technical Director for the 2025 Endurance Quest Saimaa, the European Adventure Racing Championship.In this wide-ranging conversation, Lauri reflects on his path into adventure racing, what kept him coming back for more, and how the Finnish AR community has grown over time. Whether you’re new to the sport or a seasoned expedition racer, this episode is a great look at how personal passion evolves into professional leadership in the AR world.Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport. Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking! Shownotes: All Race Media: https://www.adventureracinginsider.com/tld2025ARWS Page: https://arworldseries.com/races/endurance-quest-saimaa-europe-championship-2025-finlandRace Website: https://www.endurancequest.org/raceinfoTracking Page: https://live.enabledtracking.com/tld2025/Sponsor Links:American Himalayan Foundation - https://www.himalayan-foundation.org/
Today’s episode is a special one — it’s a course reveal for the 2025 Wilderness Traverse, the iconic Canadian adventure race and this year's ARWS North American championship. This event has long been a staple in the North American adventure racing calendar, known for its challenging terrain, demanding navigation, and classic Canadian spirit.Joining the show are Event Director Bob Miller and Race Coverage Lead Wayne Leek. Together, they pull back the curtain on this year’s course, offering a preview of what lies ahead — strategic route choices, paddle lengths and portages, and the sweet spot between challenge and fun. Whether you’re a veteran racer or a first-time TDZ listener, this conversation serves as a solid introduction to the course, the terrain, and what is in store for the racers. Let’s get into it.Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport. Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking! Shownotes: Main Page: https://www.wildernesstraverse.com/Live Coverage page: https://www.wildernesstraverse.com/2025wtcoverageDirect tracking page: https://live.enabledtracking.com/traverse2025/Sponsor Links:American Himalayan Foundation - https://www.himalayan-foundation.org/
In this episode of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast, we welcome Ashley Cheney and Greg Schmidt of Team NYARA/Trek or Treat, a pairing whose journey through adventure racing has been marked by determination, resilience, and a deep commitment to helping each other. Their story isn’t just about racing—it’s about the intentional work of building a strong partnership, pushing personal limits, and finding meaning in the challenges of adventure racing.Their conversation is a thoughtful exploration of what it means to build trust on the course, navigate setbacks with resilience, and grow through shared experience. Whether you’re an experienced racer or just adventure racing-curious, you’ll find inspiration in how these two approach the sport—and each other—with honesty, optimism, and a healthy dose of fun. Trek or Treat, indeed.Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport. Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking! Shownotes: NYARA - www.nyara.orgSponsor Links:American Himalayan Foundation - https://www.himalayan-foundation.org/
In this episode, we speak with the new leadership team behind Expedition Africa as they carry forward the legacy of one of the world’s most iconic expedition races.With roots in Heidi and Stephan Muller’s multi-year stewardship, Expedition Africa is turning the page while honoring its past. The new team brings decades of racing experience and a deep love for the sport to their new roles, and they’re already hard at work preparing for the March 2026 race in South Africa’s breathtaking Drakensberg Mountains.Expect 500 kilometers of true expedition racing—technical trekking, rugged biking, paddle sections, ropework, and soul-stirring scenery. In this conversation, the new team shares their vision, the updates racers can expect, and how they plan to keep the spirit of Expedition Africa burning bright.Pack your bags and cue the intro music—this is The Dark Zone.Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport. Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking! Shownotes: Expedition Africa - https://expafrica.net/Video - https://youtu.be/YYK_6OmtKYw?si=7gDULTZPJYSMFhO-Sponsor Links:American Himalayan Foundation - https://www.himalayan-foundation.org/
Adventure reporter Jim Clash of Forbes Magazine joins The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation that explores the intersection of storytelling and high-stakes adventure. With a passport stamped from the South Pole to spaceflight training grounds, Jim has chronicled the lives and pursuits of the world’s boldest adventurers—and taken on quite a few daring feats himself. In this episode, he shares how curiosity, preparation, and a nose for a good story have led him to interview legends like Buzz Aldrin, Chuck Yeager, and Sir Edmund Hillary, and what it means to carry their stories forward.We dig into Jim’s adventures, his take on the psychology of risk, and how adventure reporting has evolved in the age of social media and instant access. Whether you're a racer, a reader, or just someone hungry for great stories, Jim’s reflections will inspire you to chase your dreams, and maybe even pick up a pen along the way.Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport. Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking! Shownotes: Jim Clash - https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimclash/Risky Business Podcast - https://www.clashandtoro.com/The Explorer's Club - https://www.explorers.org/Sponsor Links:American Himalayan Foundation - https://www.himalayan-foundation.org/
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