By Kyle Terwilliger
Variety News Staff

GUAM, entering its seventh year of adventure racing, has hosted some of the most athletic competitors to come on to Guam.
Guam has been host to some of the most legendary races in the Marianas region and now Guam is looking to add to the mystical stories. Guam is the ideal place for this gruesome journey because Guam contains diversity like few places on Earth for such a small landmass — towering limestone cliffs, coral outcroppings, volcanic clay, jungle, rivers, savannahs, and mountains, these things that make this island so beautiful also make it extremely difficult for these competitors.
The tropical climate keeps temperatures at 85æ year round with the humidity hovering at a steamy 80-90% in what has to be one of the safest jungles in the world — no animals, poisonous snakes, or dangerous plants here. This combination of heat and humidity caused Action Asia Magazine to call it “the toughest one day race in the Region.”
Guam is ready to host racers not only from Guam, but Saipan, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Japan, Philippines, and the United States of America. Now what exactly is Adventure Racing? Adventure Racing has teams of four and each team is expected to compete in the following:
1. Trekking — long distance hiking in deep jungle areas and open savannahs
2. Mountain biking — riding and portage through severe single tracks, jeep trails, beaches, red soil and bitumen
3. Coasteering — maintaining within 50 feet of the seacoast as you progress along the course
4. Paddling — 2-man kayaking in the ocean and/or river(s)
5. Orienteering — finding your way from each checkpoint to the next using a compass and map
6. Open ocean swimming with fins
7. Teamwork
The race is broken into two different divisions: Pro — long course/40+ miles/12 or more hours, depending on your team’s speed and Social — shorter course/20+ miles/6 or more hours, depending on your team’s speed. Entrance fees are $135.00 for pro teams and $110 for social teams.
For more information or to request a registration form e-mail lyndal@guam.net or call (671)646-8850. Registration forms must be completed by April 30.