Hello MSAR racers!
Thank you for registering for the third annual Maine Summer Adventure Race! With less than three weeks to go, this update is loaded with very important information to get you ready for race day. Read this carefully - it’s full of important details.
Race Day Schedule. Racer registration will open for the 8-hour race at 7:30 a.m., the pre-race meeting will happen at 8:30 a.m., and the race will start at 9:00 a.m. Racer registration will open for the 24-hour race at 8:30 a.m., the pre-race meeting will happen at 9:15 a.m., and the race will start at 10:00 a.m. We highly recommend arriving as early as you can to registration because maps will be handed out as you register, so arriving early means you will have more time to plan your route. There is no bike drop this year for either race. Post-race food and awards will begin at the end of each race.
Race Headquarters. Registration is located at the Hidden Valley Nature Center at 131 Egypt Rd in Jefferson, ME.
Team List. Please check the team list posted on our website to ensure that all your teammates have registered and that you are all listed together. Several racers have registered but have not indicated a team. If you are intending to race solo, it is imperative that you email us ASAP to obtain permission to do so. Solo racers must confirm that their experience is sufficient to complete this race solo.
Mandatory Gear. The gear list has been updated for the 8- and 24-hour races. Please review this carefully and plan to carry all mandatory gear for the noted race segments. We reserve the right to check for mandatory gear items at any time during the race.
Biking. 8-hour racers will be biking entirely on roads. To increase accessibility of this event, any type of bike is allowed. 24-hour racers are required to ride mountain bikes and trail riding is a required component of the full course.
**8-hour racers**: There is approximately 30 miles of road biking on the course, split into 2 sections. If you are concerned about being able to ride this long please contact us ASAP to discuss options for shuttling you for one segment of road biking (you will receive a significant point penalty for this option, but you will still be listed as official racers).
Paddling. In a last-minute and unexpected change, our usual boat outfitter has pulled out of this year’s race. Luckily we have been able to source other boats for the race (phew!). However, instead of paddling in the usual single and tandem sea kayaks we have used in previous editions of the race, teams will instead be in canoes this year (with the exception of solo racers). Two-person teams will have one canoe, 3-person teams will have one canoe, and 4-person teams will have two canoes. We understand this may impact your decisions about team configuration. Please email us ASAP if you want to make any changes.
While you must use the provided boats, all racers have the option to use their own paddling gear including PFDs, single- or double-bladed paddles, and middle seats for canoes. Food, water, and/or other gear cannot be stored in paddle bags that you provide. If you choose to bring your own gear, you must bundle it together securely and label it with your team name. We will not be responsible for gear that gets separated from your team’s bundle. There will be a paddle drop at registration.
Spectators. Friends and family are welcome and encouraged to cheer you on throughout the course! We can provide more information right after the race start to interested fans. Please alert any spectators that they are not allowed to provide any assistance to your team or any other teams while the race is in progress.
Post-Race Celebration. As usual, we will hold a post-race party immediately following both races at the Hidden Valley Nature Center pavilion. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available. Friends and family are welcome to join with a $10 donation to cover food. 24-hour racers can expect a hearty Maine breakfast at the finish line!
Camping and Lodging. Check out our website for camping at the Hidden Valley Nature Center and lodging at the nearby Wiscasset Woods Lodge. Other options are also available - contact us if you’re having trouble finding a place to stay.
Sponsors. We couldn’t do this without the generous support of our sponsors! Please consider supporting the businesses listed on our website as you stock up for your AR needs. We appreciate their ongoing support of our event and the sport of adventure racing!
Facebook. Please “like” our Facebook page to get updates before, during (for friends and family), and after the race!
Recommendations. Long pants may be a good choice for parts of the course to protect against thick vegetation and for helping to deter the mosquitos and ticks out on the course. Bug protection is highly recommended! 24-hour racers should carefully watch the forecast and come prepared with enough layers to accommodate potentially chilly temperatures of Maine’s early summer season, especially overnight.
Questions? Email us anytime at StrongMachineAR@gmail.com.
Thank you for registering for the third annual Maine Summer Adventure Race! With less than three weeks to go, this update is loaded with very important information to get you ready for race day. Read this carefully - it’s full of important details.
Race Day Schedule. Racer registration will open for the 8-hour race at 7:30 a.m., the pre-race meeting will happen at 8:30 a.m., and the race will start at 9:00 a.m. Racer registration will open for the 24-hour race at 8:30 a.m., the pre-race meeting will happen at 9:15 a.m., and the race will start at 10:00 a.m. We highly recommend arriving as early as you can to registration because maps will be handed out as you register, so arriving early means you will have more time to plan your route. There is no bike drop this year for either race. Post-race food and awards will begin at the end of each race.
Race Headquarters. Registration is located at the Hidden Valley Nature Center at 131 Egypt Rd in Jefferson, ME.
Team List. Please check the team list posted on our website to ensure that all your teammates have registered and that you are all listed together. Several racers have registered but have not indicated a team. If you are intending to race solo, it is imperative that you email us ASAP to obtain permission to do so. Solo racers must confirm that their experience is sufficient to complete this race solo.
Mandatory Gear. The gear list has been updated for the 8- and 24-hour races. Please review this carefully and plan to carry all mandatory gear for the noted race segments. We reserve the right to check for mandatory gear items at any time during the race.
Biking. 8-hour racers will be biking entirely on roads. To increase accessibility of this event, any type of bike is allowed. 24-hour racers are required to ride mountain bikes and trail riding is a required component of the full course.
**8-hour racers**: There is approximately 30 miles of road biking on the course, split into 2 sections. If you are concerned about being able to ride this long please contact us ASAP to discuss options for shuttling you for one segment of road biking (you will receive a significant point penalty for this option, but you will still be listed as official racers).
Paddling. In a last-minute and unexpected change, our usual boat outfitter has pulled out of this year’s race. Luckily we have been able to source other boats for the race (phew!). However, instead of paddling in the usual single and tandem sea kayaks we have used in previous editions of the race, teams will instead be in canoes this year (with the exception of solo racers). Two-person teams will have one canoe, 3-person teams will have one canoe, and 4-person teams will have two canoes. We understand this may impact your decisions about team configuration. Please email us ASAP if you want to make any changes.
While you must use the provided boats, all racers have the option to use their own paddling gear including PFDs, single- or double-bladed paddles, and middle seats for canoes. Food, water, and/or other gear cannot be stored in paddle bags that you provide. If you choose to bring your own gear, you must bundle it together securely and label it with your team name. We will not be responsible for gear that gets separated from your team’s bundle. There will be a paddle drop at registration.
Spectators. Friends and family are welcome and encouraged to cheer you on throughout the course! We can provide more information right after the race start to interested fans. Please alert any spectators that they are not allowed to provide any assistance to your team or any other teams while the race is in progress.
Post-Race Celebration. As usual, we will hold a post-race party immediately following both races at the Hidden Valley Nature Center pavilion. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available. Friends and family are welcome to join with a $10 donation to cover food. 24-hour racers can expect a hearty Maine breakfast at the finish line!
Camping and Lodging. Check out our website for camping at the Hidden Valley Nature Center and lodging at the nearby Wiscasset Woods Lodge. Other options are also available - contact us if you’re having trouble finding a place to stay.
Sponsors. We couldn’t do this without the generous support of our sponsors! Please consider supporting the businesses listed on our website as you stock up for your AR needs. We appreciate their ongoing support of our event and the sport of adventure racing!
Facebook. Please “like” our Facebook page to get updates before, during (for friends and family), and after the race!
Recommendations. Long pants may be a good choice for parts of the course to protect against thick vegetation and for helping to deter the mosquitos and ticks out on the course. Bug protection is highly recommended! 24-hour racers should carefully watch the forecast and come prepared with enough layers to accommodate potentially chilly temperatures of Maine’s early summer season, especially overnight.
Questions? Email us anytime at StrongMachineAR@gmail.com.