3ROC's Pay What You Want 6/12-hr Adventure Race
- Date Sat 16th May 2026
- Time 7:00AM EDT
- Location Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Price Free
- Races 2 races
- Distances Ultra
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating experience at the 3ROC's Pay What You Want 6/12-hour Adventure Race, taking place on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in the vibrant city of Pittsburgh, Allegheny. This semi-urban adventure race invites teams of up to four athletes to navigate through Pittsburgh's stunning neighborhoods, river corridors, and lush parklands, all while biking, trekking, and paddling their way to victory. Participants can choose between a thrilling 6-hour or a more challenging 12-hour race, designed to accommodate both seasoned adventurers and those new to the sport.
Pittsburgh, with its impressive 3,800 acres of public land and 176 city parks, serves as the perfect backdrop for this dynamic event. The race encourages smart navigation and bold route choices as teams compete to collect as many checkpoints as possible before time runs out. With a focus on accessibility, the course features a mandatory route for beginners while offering additional optional checkpoints for experienced teams seeking a greater challenge. Embrace the spirit of adventure and join the community for a day filled with teamwork, strategy, and outdoor fun. Mark your calendars and prepare for an unforgettable race day in the heart of Pittsburgh!
Pittsburgh, with its impressive 3,800 acres of public land and 176 city parks, serves as the perfect backdrop for this dynamic event. The race encourages smart navigation and bold route choices as teams compete to collect as many checkpoints as possible before time runs out. With a focus on accessibility, the course features a mandatory route for beginners while offering additional optional checkpoints for experienced teams seeking a greater challenge. Embrace the spirit of adventure and join the community for a day filled with teamwork, strategy, and outdoor fun. Mark your calendars and prepare for an unforgettable race day in the heart of Pittsburgh!
Organiser's Description
3 Rivers Outdoor Co. is humbled to bring adventure racing back to Western Pennsylvania.
The 3ROC Pay-What-You-Want Adventure Race is a semi-urban adventure race featuring two divisionsa 6-hour and a 12-hour optionwhere teams of up to four athletes will bike, trek, and paddle through Pittsburghs iconic neighborhoods, river corridors, staircases, and parklands, collecting as many checkpoints as possible before time runs out. Few cities are better suited for this challenge: Pittsburgh is home to more than 3,800 acres of public land across 176 city parks, stitched together by rivers, ridge lines, wooded ravines, and hidden corridors that reward smart navigation and bold route choices.
This race offers challenging navigation, rewarding checkpoints, meaningful strategy and route choice, and a welcoming, community-driven atmosphere. The course is designed to be competitive for experienced teams while remaining accessible to newer racers ready to push themselves and learn the sport.
The course is built with teams of all abilities in mind using a modified rogaine format. All teams must complete a designated mandatory route that requires less advanced navigation and is short enough that teams with solid baseline fitness should be able to finish within the time limit. More experienced teams can seek out additional, optional checkpoints designed to challenge the strongest competitors and sharpest navigators.
Because cost should never be a barrier to adventure, the 3ROC Adventure Race team has adopted a Pay-What-You-Want entry model. Aside from any platform processing fees, we are committed to covering the remaining costs of putting on the raceincluding permits, insurance, boats, and logisticsso that everyone who wants to race has the opportunity to do so. Use the Donation option to pay what you want, if you want.
WHAT IS ADVENTURE RACING?
Adventure racing is a multi-sport, navigation-based team sport where teams race across varied terrain to visit checkpoints within a set time limit. Instead of a fixed course like a triathlon, the course isnt revealed until race day, and teams choose their own routes between checkpoints on foot, by bike, and often by paddle.
Teams of up to 4 racers stay together throughout the race (its not a relay).
Navigation is central: teams use map and (sometimes) compass skills to find checkpoints, making strategy and teamwork as important as fitness.
In short, adventure racing is like a scavenger hunt with a clocka test of endurance, teamwork, strategy, and navigation across changing terrain.
ADVENTURE RACING FAQS
IS THIS LIKE TOUGH MUDDER OR SPARTAN?
No. Adventure racing has no man-made obstacles. Teams navigate natural terrain using a map and compass, choosing their own routes between checkpoints.
DO I NEED TO BE IN GREAT SHAPE?
No. While elite races can be very long, many adventure races are beginner-friendly and last just a few hours. Theyre designed for a wide range of abilities.
DO I NEED EXPENSIVE GEAR?
No. Many races include boats or offer rentals, and some courses reduce gear requirements to make entry easier for first-timers.
DO I NEED TO BE AN EXPERT NAVIGATOR?
No. Beginner courses use shorter legs and obvious checkpoints. Most racers learn navigation by doing.
WHAT SHOULD FIRST-TIMERS KNOW?
Adventure racing is a team-based, navigation-focused outdoor challenge. If you like teamwork, problem-solving, and being outside, youre ready to race.
Adventure belongs to everyone. Well see you at the start line.
The 3ROC Pay-What-You-Want Adventure Race is a semi-urban adventure race featuring two divisionsa 6-hour and a 12-hour optionwhere teams of up to four athletes will bike, trek, and paddle through Pittsburghs iconic neighborhoods, river corridors, staircases, and parklands, collecting as many checkpoints as possible before time runs out. Few cities are better suited for this challenge: Pittsburgh is home to more than 3,800 acres of public land across 176 city parks, stitched together by rivers, ridge lines, wooded ravines, and hidden corridors that reward smart navigation and bold route choices.
This race offers challenging navigation, rewarding checkpoints, meaningful strategy and route choice, and a welcoming, community-driven atmosphere. The course is designed to be competitive for experienced teams while remaining accessible to newer racers ready to push themselves and learn the sport.
The course is built with teams of all abilities in mind using a modified rogaine format. All teams must complete a designated mandatory route that requires less advanced navigation and is short enough that teams with solid baseline fitness should be able to finish within the time limit. More experienced teams can seek out additional, optional checkpoints designed to challenge the strongest competitors and sharpest navigators.
Because cost should never be a barrier to adventure, the 3ROC Adventure Race team has adopted a Pay-What-You-Want entry model. Aside from any platform processing fees, we are committed to covering the remaining costs of putting on the raceincluding permits, insurance, boats, and logisticsso that everyone who wants to race has the opportunity to do so. Use the Donation option to pay what you want, if you want.
WHAT IS ADVENTURE RACING?
Adventure racing is a multi-sport, navigation-based team sport where teams race across varied terrain to visit checkpoints within a set time limit. Instead of a fixed course like a triathlon, the course isnt revealed until race day, and teams choose their own routes between checkpoints on foot, by bike, and often by paddle.
Teams of up to 4 racers stay together throughout the race (its not a relay).
Navigation is central: teams use map and (sometimes) compass skills to find checkpoints, making strategy and teamwork as important as fitness.
In short, adventure racing is like a scavenger hunt with a clocka test of endurance, teamwork, strategy, and navigation across changing terrain.
ADVENTURE RACING FAQS
IS THIS LIKE TOUGH MUDDER OR SPARTAN?
No. Adventure racing has no man-made obstacles. Teams navigate natural terrain using a map and compass, choosing their own routes between checkpoints.
DO I NEED TO BE IN GREAT SHAPE?
No. While elite races can be very long, many adventure races are beginner-friendly and last just a few hours. Theyre designed for a wide range of abilities.
DO I NEED EXPENSIVE GEAR?
No. Many races include boats or offer rentals, and some courses reduce gear requirements to make entry easier for first-timers.
DO I NEED TO BE AN EXPERT NAVIGATOR?
No. Beginner courses use shorter legs and obvious checkpoints. Most racers learn navigation by doing.
WHAT SHOULD FIRST-TIMERS KNOW?
Adventure racing is a team-based, navigation-focused outdoor challenge. If you like teamwork, problem-solving, and being outside, youre ready to race.
Adventure belongs to everyone. Well see you at the start line.
Races
-
3ROC'S 12-HOUR Adventure Race
Sat 16th May 2026 (7:00AM EDT)
Free
This semi-urban adventure race features a 6-hour division and a 12-hour division. You are registering for the 12-hour option. -
3ROC'S 6-HOUR Adventure Race
Sat 16th May 2026 (12:00PM EDT)
Free
This semi-urban adventure race features a 6-hour division and a 12-hour division. You are registering for the 6-hour option.
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Location
1130 S. Braddock Ave., Pittsburgh, 15218, PA, United States
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3ROC's Pay What You Want 6/12-hr Adventure Race
