Tug Hill Extreme Adventure Race

Race Details

Saturday, May 30th – Sunday, May 31st – Boonville, NY USARA Regional Qualifier
Register here.
The Tug Hill Extreme Adventure will have 2 awesome race options:

• 24 hour adventure race, that includes biking on roads and trails, flat water paddling, and lots of our signature off trail navigation and strategy! Because it is somewhat difficult to source boats in this region, there will be a “Bring your Own Boat” option, as well as a “Race Provided Boat” option.
• 8 hour adventure race, that includes biking and trekking, and paddling is still “to be determined”. This race is ideal for newer adventure racers, but will still challenge experienced racers to complete the course.

24 Hour Adventure Race

The 24 hour race is a United States Adventure Racing Association (USARA), Regional Qualifier, and an Adventure Racing World Series, North America (ARWS-NA) points race. During the race, each team will receive one set of topographic maps with pre-plotted checkpoints that you will use to navigate the course with map and compass only, while trekking/running, mountain biking, & paddling. The team that finds the most checkpoints within the 24 hour time limit wins. If teams don’t make it back before the time cut-off, they will lose 1 checkpoint for every minute they’re late. Teams sizes can range from of 1-4 people. Approximated distances for each section of the course are still being finalized. Racers will have the option of bringing their own boat to the race, or to choose a “race provided boat” during registration. Mountain bikes are highly recommended and racers will be required to carry mandatory individual and team gear during the race (to be announced). There will be at least one opportunity to drop and access a gear bag during the race. All checkpoints are optional and your team can tackle as much or as little of the course as you’re up for.

What’s included:

• 24 hours of awesome adventure racing
• USARA Regional Qualifier
• ARWS-NA and USARA points race
• Performance T-shirt
• Live tracking system
• 1 set of race maps per team (option to purchase additional sets)
• Race passport (for punching checkpoints)
• Post race food and drinks, including one craft beer or other NA beverage per person
• Prizes for top finishers in each division

Boat Details:

You will be required to choose a boat option during registration: 1. “Bring your own boat” or 2. “Race provided boats” during registration. Due to the semi-remote location of the race, finding enough rental boats to provide one for all racers is challenging, so we will be using a combination of “bring your own boat”, using the Tug Hill Outfitters rental fleet, and working with regional outfitters. For those who choose to bring their own boats, we recommend registering as soon as possible, as there will be a limited number of “bring your own boat” spots available. Any non-motorized/non-pedal human powered boat will be allowed. Boat drop off will be on Friday evening, May 31st. Race volunteers will transport boats to and from the start/finish, and boats will not be left unattended. For those who choose the “race provided boats” option, the boats will most likely be a combination of 2 – 4 person canoes and kayaks. Please contact us (tughilladventures@gmail.com, 315-807-3696) if you questions about boat logistics.

USARA membership:

The Tug Hill Extreme Adventure is a USARA sanctioned race and membership in USARA is required for all participants. Participants who are not USARA members can purchase a single day membership during registration for $8 each.

Post Race Awards & Festivities:

Post race festivities and awards will be at Hidden Meadows Campground, in Boonville, NY. There will be a post race meal and one craft beer or other NA beverage per racer, then additional beer and other food/beverages will be for sale at the lodge.

Area Lodging & Camping (TBD):

Camping will be available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights at Hidden Meadows Campground. There are RV and tent sites available to reserve. Reach out directly to Paul Kinney at Hidden Meadows Campground to reserve a site: (315) 264-3342, hiddenmeadowscampground@yahoo.com

The Lodge at Headwaters is a nice hotel option in Boonville, NY. There are also a few Airbnb’s and additional campgrounds in the area.

What costs are involved with putting on an adventure race? 

• Performance race T-shirt
• Costs for use of the host location
• Post race meal and 1 beer or drink of choice 
• Live tracking with website for spectators to follow along
• Photographer
• Water resistant maps & passports (1 set per team) 
• Shared costs for insurance, prizes, state land use permits, advertising/event marketing, etc.) 

Race Team Categories: 

• Men’s, Women’s, Nonbinary Solo Racers (6-10 hour race only)
• Men’s, Women’s, & Mixed Gender 2 person teams
• Men’s, Women’s, Mixed Gender 3 or 4 person teams
• Family teams (2 – 6 people, must include one child ages 0-16) – available in the 8 hour race onlly.
• Youth teams (2 – 4 people, 18 & under category, 25 & under category) – available in the 8 hour race only
• Prizes for top finishers in each category

Questions:
Contact Tug Hill Outfitters, tughilladventures@gmail.com; 315-807-3696

Required Individual & Team Gear – TENTATIVE, still being finalized

Mandatory Team Gear – Entire Race (1 person per team must carry these items at all times)

• Map case (zip lock is okay)
• Compass (baseplate compass recommended)
• Working cell phone (to be kept OFF and used only for emergencies. We recommend putting this in a waterproof bag sealed inside your backpack.)
• Bug spray
• Water filter
• First aid kit (Adventure Medical .7 is a good option – https://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/ultralight-watertight-7.html)
• ONE Paddle bag per team, clearly labeled – must include all team paddles and life jackets (must not exceed 20 lbs)
• (Optional) ONE Gear bin per team, plastic tub/bin with locking lid, clearly labeled, which can include extra food, gear, water, etc.

Mandatory Individual Gear – Entire Race (Each team member must carry the following items at all times)

• Whistle
• Emergency blanket
• Means to carry at least 50 oz of liquid (we will have limited water at the transition areas, and
• Waterproof jacket (mandatory regardless of weather conditions)
• Netted bug hat
• Enough food to last 12 – 18 hours, at which point you will see your team gear bin, which you can strategically use to replenish your food supply. IF you’re team chooses not to use a gear bin, you should have enough food to support yourself for the entire race.

Mandatory Team Gear – Mountain Biking Sections Each team member must have the following on all bike sections)

• Tire pump or CO2 cartridges
• Bike repair toolkit
• Mountain bike
• Bike helmet
• Red flashing rear light (to be turned on whenever riding)

Mandatory Individual Gear – Paddling – (12 hour racers only )

• PFD
• Paddle

Recommended Gear

• Long pants, tights, or leg protection
• Extra moisture wicking or fleece layer
• Bike gloves
• Bike odometer
• Bike map board
• Sunglasses or hat w/ visor
• Sunscreen
• Waterproof case for phone
• duct tape
• writing utensils (pencil & highlighters, helpful for marking up maps)

When

Saturday, May, 30 – Sunday, May 31, 2026

Where

Hidden Meadows Campground, Boonville, NY

Registration

Register here.

24 Hour Race Schedule (Last year’s schedule, will likely be similar this year.)

• Friday, May 29th
• 5:30 – 8:30 PM – Race check-in, boat, gear bin (maybe), and paddle bag drop (only one teammate needs to be present)
• Saturday, May 30th
• 5:30 – 6:30 AM – Race check-in, boat, gear bin (maybe), and paddle bag drop (only one team member needs to be present)
• 6:00 AM – Map distribution
• 8:00 AM – Pre-race briefing
• 8:30 AM – Board busses to race start
• 10:00 AM – Final racer Q&A
• 10:30 AM – Race Start (mass start on water)
• Sunday, May 31st
• 10:30 AM – Race Finish
• Post-race meal – 9:30 – 11:30 AM
• Post-race awards – 12 PM

Race Categories

• Men’s, Women’s, Nonbinary Solo Racers (6-10 hour race only)
• Men’s, Women’s, & Mixed Gender 2 person teams
• Men’s, Women’s, Mixed Gender 3 or 4 person teams
• Youth Teams (18 & under, 25 & under) – 8-hour race only
• Family Teams – up to 6 people, must include at least one child between ages 0 – 18. (8-hour race only)
• Prizes for top finishers in each category

Questions

tughilladventures@gmail.com
315-807-3696

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