Patagonian Expedition Race
After a hiatus that marked the end of a ten consecutive year cycle (2004–2013) the Patagonian Expedition Race returned in February 2016. Dubbed by professional adventure racers as the ‘last wild race’, this event is the extremist one on a continuum of races known for their toughness. Chilean geologist Stjepan Pavicic is the founder, using the race to raise money to protect his native Patagonia from unsustainable industry.
While only a small percentage of people would ever consider registering for a race of this magnitude, those who are game (and prepared) will experience landscapes and places where people have rarely, if ever, been before.
Teams of four compete, navigating with only a compass, altimeter and rudimentary maps across remote areas in under nine days. The course changes every year, and is kept secret until 24 hours prior to the start. It will be up to each team to decide on the amount and type of food it will carry to last the full nine days. They will also need to strategize when to rest and sleep as the clock never stops ticking unlike other races, where day ends and the timer pauses.
WORDS OF WISDOM
- As can be imagined, this is not for the faint hearted. Contestants must be familiar with the adventure race structure. They must be physically and emotionally prepared for extreme conditions also.
- To give an idea of scope, the race is considered the manpowered version of the Dakar Rally, and the land equivalent of the Volvo Ocean Race. It is never the same twice, causing entrants to apply year after year.
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