Neck of the Woods Adventure Race
- Date Sat 24th October 2026
- Time 7:30AM EDT
- Location Huntersville, North Carolina
- Price $43.40
- Races 1 race
- Distances Ultra
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating outdoor experience at the 3rd Annual Neck of the Woods Adventure Race on Saturday, October 24th, 2026, in Huntersville, Mecklenburg! This exciting event invites both novice and seasoned adventure racers to engage in a thrilling 5-hour challenge, either solo or in teams of up to four. Participants will navigate through scenic trails and checkpoints, covering approximately 25 miles of biking and 5-6 miles of trekking, depending on their strategy. With a unique scavenger hunt format, racers will earn points by locating mandatory and optional checkpoints, making this a perfect opportunity to test your skills and teamwork.
Starting with bike drop-off between 6:00 and 6:45 AM, all participants will gather for a mandatory pre-race briefing at 7:00 AM before the race launches at 7:30 AM. As you explore the charming landscapes of Huntersville, be prepared for some surprises along the way, including multiple maps that will be earned throughout the race. Cyclists will enjoy a combination of paved roads and greenways, with optional checkpoints located on mountain bike trails. Whether you come alone or with friends, the Neck of the Woods Adventure Race promises a day filled with fun, competition, and
Starting with bike drop-off between 6:00 and 6:45 AM, all participants will gather for a mandatory pre-race briefing at 7:00 AM before the race launches at 7:30 AM. As you explore the charming landscapes of Huntersville, be prepared for some surprises along the way, including multiple maps that will be earned throughout the race. Cyclists will enjoy a combination of paved roads and greenways, with optional checkpoints located on mountain bike trails. Whether you come alone or with friends, the Neck of the Woods Adventure Race promises a day filled with fun, competition, and
Organiser's Description
SO SORRY. YOU'VE MISSED THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR 2026.
Whether you've never heard of adventure racing or are a seasoned pro looking for a partial-day challenge, this event is for you.
WHAT: 3rd Annual Neck of the Woods Adventure Race (5-hour). Solo or teams of up to 4 persons (1,2,3 or 4 on a team)
WHEN: October 24th, 2026 0600-0645 Bike Drop Off, 0700 mandatory pre-race briefing, 0730 launch time, must finish by 1230
WHERE: 760 Craft Works, Huntersville, NC
COST: $40 Per Person (All proceeds benefit the Firefighters Burned Children's Fund)
NEW FOR 2026: LARGER, MORE-READABLE MAPS. SOME OPTIONAL CHECKPOINTS WILL BE ON MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS. THERE WILL BE A REMOTE TRANSITION AREA TO DROP OFF YOUR BIKES, HELMETS AND BIKE LIGHTS BEFORE RACE CHECK-IN. BACK THIS YEAR, LEARN SOME THINGS ABOUT THE HUNTERSVILLE AREA CHECKPOINTS AND PROVE IT ON YOUR SCORE CARD.
This adventure race will be like a scavenger hunt on bike and on foot (no paddle/swim/water section). That doesn't necessarily mean you won't get wet.
All maps are pre-plotted with possible checkpoints to find. Each checkpoint you find earns you points. The team/solo with the most points in the least amount of time wins (Solo & Team category awards). All mandatory checkpoints and most of the other checkpoints are easily found near paths/creeks/intersections/features. A few optional checkpoints may be a little trickier to find. Team members stay together and work together the entire race. You can choose to go all out and attempt every checkpoint OR you can just get the mandatory checkpoints OR any number of checkpoints between. There is a 5-hour time limit. There is no set route. There is no sequence to the checkpoints. You decide your route and manage your own time. This can be by yourself, with your family, your friends, your coworkers, etc (teams of 1-4).
MANDATORY SUPPLIES FOR EACH PARTICIPANT: -Bike (Mountain bike recommended, but a road/gravel bike will work for all mandatory checkpoints)
-Bike Helmet (while riding)
-Blinking Rear Bike Light (while riding)
-Reflective Vest (while on foot)
-Food/Nutrition, Water
MANDATORY TEAM SUPPLIES carried at all times:
-Compass
-Phone (waterproof container)
-Pen/pencil (for use on waterproof paper)
Distances are approximate and depend on your race strategy. However, teams that make it to every checkpoint and bonus point with no navigation errors should plan on about 25 miles of biking and 5-6 miles of trekking. The minimum distance if you only get the mandatory checkpoints is about 14-15 miles of biking and 3-4 miles of trekking. The miles are not continuous as the race has separate sections and you are constantly navigating and renegotiating routes.
You will be responsible for your own nutrition and hydration throughout the race. There will be a transition area with water and Gatorade at a mid-point(ish) transition area, but will obviously not be accessible while you are out hunting for checkpoints.
The bike sections are mostly paved roads and greenways with some optional checkpoints on mountain bike trails. A mountain bike would work best. However, if you only have (or need to borrow from a friend) a road bike or even a beach cruiser, you can ride to all the mandatory bike points. The optional bike points will need some strategic creativity if you don't have a bike that can ride off road. Helmets and blinking bike lights are required at all times while on the bikes.
There are always race day surprises as part of the fun, but here are a couple hints to the day. There will be more than one map. You will have to earn each of your maps at different times throughout the race. Some of the farther checkpoints marked as bonus will have descriptions of possible bonus points you can find close by. THERE WILL ALSO BE A NON-MANDATORY ORIENTEERING SECTION WORTH LOTS OF POINTS...PRACTICE BASIC COMPASS SKILLS AND ESTIMATING DISTANCE TO STAY COMPETITIVE. HERE IS A VIDEO TO SHOW YOU HOW EASY IT WILL BE:
COMPASS HEADING [https://youtu.be/9T1Ug0rt7Cg?feature=shared]
NEW VIDEO:
2026 COMPASS TIPS [https://youtu.be/ScgWfjutks0?feature=shared]
TRAINING TIPS: Get some miles on the bike you will be using for the race. Get some foot miles on pavement, trails and/or gravel paths. On your training rides and runs, carry the pack you will use for water and nutrition at the event. Practice transitioning from miles on a bike to miles on foot and vice versa. Know how to read a compass (basic North, East, South & West for most points AND headings/distances for maximum points).
REGISTRATION ENDS 10/20. REGISTER BY 10/8 TO GUARANTEE A T-SHIRT
Whether you've never heard of adventure racing or are a seasoned pro looking for a partial-day challenge, this event is for you.
WHAT: 3rd Annual Neck of the Woods Adventure Race (5-hour). Solo or teams of up to 4 persons (1,2,3 or 4 on a team)
WHEN: October 24th, 2026 0600-0645 Bike Drop Off, 0700 mandatory pre-race briefing, 0730 launch time, must finish by 1230
WHERE: 760 Craft Works, Huntersville, NC
COST: $40 Per Person (All proceeds benefit the Firefighters Burned Children's Fund)
NEW FOR 2026: LARGER, MORE-READABLE MAPS. SOME OPTIONAL CHECKPOINTS WILL BE ON MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS. THERE WILL BE A REMOTE TRANSITION AREA TO DROP OFF YOUR BIKES, HELMETS AND BIKE LIGHTS BEFORE RACE CHECK-IN. BACK THIS YEAR, LEARN SOME THINGS ABOUT THE HUNTERSVILLE AREA CHECKPOINTS AND PROVE IT ON YOUR SCORE CARD.
This adventure race will be like a scavenger hunt on bike and on foot (no paddle/swim/water section). That doesn't necessarily mean you won't get wet.
All maps are pre-plotted with possible checkpoints to find. Each checkpoint you find earns you points. The team/solo with the most points in the least amount of time wins (Solo & Team category awards). All mandatory checkpoints and most of the other checkpoints are easily found near paths/creeks/intersections/features. A few optional checkpoints may be a little trickier to find. Team members stay together and work together the entire race. You can choose to go all out and attempt every checkpoint OR you can just get the mandatory checkpoints OR any number of checkpoints between. There is a 5-hour time limit. There is no set route. There is no sequence to the checkpoints. You decide your route and manage your own time. This can be by yourself, with your family, your friends, your coworkers, etc (teams of 1-4).
MANDATORY SUPPLIES FOR EACH PARTICIPANT: -Bike (Mountain bike recommended, but a road/gravel bike will work for all mandatory checkpoints)
-Bike Helmet (while riding)
-Blinking Rear Bike Light (while riding)
-Reflective Vest (while on foot)
-Food/Nutrition, Water
MANDATORY TEAM SUPPLIES carried at all times:
-Compass
-Phone (waterproof container)
-Pen/pencil (for use on waterproof paper)
Distances are approximate and depend on your race strategy. However, teams that make it to every checkpoint and bonus point with no navigation errors should plan on about 25 miles of biking and 5-6 miles of trekking. The minimum distance if you only get the mandatory checkpoints is about 14-15 miles of biking and 3-4 miles of trekking. The miles are not continuous as the race has separate sections and you are constantly navigating and renegotiating routes.
You will be responsible for your own nutrition and hydration throughout the race. There will be a transition area with water and Gatorade at a mid-point(ish) transition area, but will obviously not be accessible while you are out hunting for checkpoints.
The bike sections are mostly paved roads and greenways with some optional checkpoints on mountain bike trails. A mountain bike would work best. However, if you only have (or need to borrow from a friend) a road bike or even a beach cruiser, you can ride to all the mandatory bike points. The optional bike points will need some strategic creativity if you don't have a bike that can ride off road. Helmets and blinking bike lights are required at all times while on the bikes.
There are always race day surprises as part of the fun, but here are a couple hints to the day. There will be more than one map. You will have to earn each of your maps at different times throughout the race. Some of the farther checkpoints marked as bonus will have descriptions of possible bonus points you can find close by. THERE WILL ALSO BE A NON-MANDATORY ORIENTEERING SECTION WORTH LOTS OF POINTS...PRACTICE BASIC COMPASS SKILLS AND ESTIMATING DISTANCE TO STAY COMPETITIVE. HERE IS A VIDEO TO SHOW YOU HOW EASY IT WILL BE:
COMPASS HEADING [https://youtu.be/9T1Ug0rt7Cg?feature=shared]
NEW VIDEO:
2026 COMPASS TIPS [https://youtu.be/ScgWfjutks0?feature=shared]
TRAINING TIPS: Get some miles on the bike you will be using for the race. Get some foot miles on pavement, trails and/or gravel paths. On your training rides and runs, carry the pack you will use for water and nutrition at the event. Practice transitioning from miles on a bike to miles on foot and vice versa. Know how to read a compass (basic North, East, South & West for most points AND headings/distances for maximum points).
REGISTRATION ENDS 10/20. REGISTER BY 10/8 TO GUARANTEE A T-SHIRT
Races
-
Adventure Race
Incl. $3.40 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 24th October 2026 (7:30AM EDT)
$43.40
CLOSED
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101 Huntersville-Concord Rd, Huntersville, 28078, NC, United States
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Neck of the Woods Adventure Race
