The first Maine Summer Adventure Race will take place July 23, offering exploration of the woods and lakes around Jefferson, Maine.

The MSAR will involve teams of two, three or four competing in a nonstop race involving trail-running or trekking, road and mountain biking, flat-water paddling and orienteering. Teams will have to combine athleticism with strategy and navigation to guide themselves to as many checkpoints as possible within the time limit.

Both the eight-hour and three-hour versions of the race will start at Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson. The race is designed by Cliff and Kate White of the Strong Machine Adventure Racing team and will be hosted by the Midcoast Conservancy, a nonprofit  dedicated to conservation, education and recreation.

The race will challenge expert adventure racers and beginners alike with a fun and beautiful course that travels through thick pine forests, across deep cold lakes and rivers and up to promontories that offer the occasional revealing glimpse of the nearby Atlantic Ocean.

“Maine is a beautiful state and this area of Maine is one of our favorites,” said race co-director Cliff White. "When we started exploring the area, our first thought was that it would be the perfect place for an adventure race because it has so much varied terrain. We can’t wait until the race, when we’ll be able to send racers out to explore all the cool places we’ve discovered.”

First-time adventure racers and families can discover how fun the sport of adventure racing is with the beginner-friendly, three-hour race, said Kate White.

“If you can walk or jog a 5K, bike five miles and paddle one mile, you will be more than prepared for the three-hour race,” she said. “The eight-hour course is designed to be more of a challenge, with longer distances and more navigational components. However, this race is still appropriate for the outdoorsy, beginner racer since the more difficult routes will be optional.”

Thanks to cooperation with the Midcoast Conservancy, entry fees are quite modest as far as adventure races go, with per-racer fees between $50 to $90, not including discounts offered to Midcoast Conservancy members. Race entry includes a T-shirt, swag bag, post-race feast and drinks (including a featured microbrew), maps, canoe and paddle rental, prizes and giveaways and facility and land-use fees.

The race will be sanctioned by the United States Adventure Racing Association and will count as part of its points series.

For more information, visit MaineSummerAR.weebly.com or search for the Maine Summer Adventure Race on Facebook.