NDAK Adventure Race

Up near the Canadian border, in the flatlands where the winding rivers flow north, there is an event billed as the “toughest race in North Dakota.” The END-AR, a wilderness-endurance event, is this Saturday, September 4, and at 10+ hours in length, there is little to dispute about the organizers’ claim. The END-AR is an adventure race, and it has a course that will snake in and around Grand Forks, North Dakota. Since I have roots in rural N. Dak (maternal-side, Norwegian, agrarian), and since I am longtime friends with the crew putting on the event — the YogaSlackers, some of whom grew up on the Great Northern Planes — I’ve cobbled together a team. Gear Junkie contributor T.C. Worley and myself will race as a two-man squad against about 30 other teams in a 10-hour fight to the finish. Running, navigation, canoeing, biking, pack-rafting, swimming, tree climbing, and other disciplines have been promised. Here below is a sneak peek video from the event. Wish us luck! —Stephen Regenold