The second Maine Summer Adventure Race on June 24 will offer simultaneous three- and 10-hour races to challenge racers at any level. While the 10-hour course will draw competitive racers from far and wide, the three-hour course is meant to provide an opportunity for less-experienced racers, including family teams.

First-time adventure racers and families can discover how fun the sport of adventure racing is with the beginner-friendly three-hour race, according to course designer 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 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 race’s time limit. The race is designed by Cliff and Kate White of the Strong Machine Adventure Racing team and will be hosted by Midcoast Conservancy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation, education and recreation.

The race will challenge expert adventure racers and beginners alike with a fun and beautiful course that travels from the coast through thick pine forests, across deep cold lakes and rivers.

“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’ve expanded the range of the race from last year’s course. We can’t wait to send racers out to explore all the cool places we’ve discovered.”

Entry fees are quite modest as far as adventure races go, with per-racer fees between $45 to $125, not including discounts offered to Midcoast Conservancy members. Race entry includes a race T-shirt, swag bag, post-race feast and drinks (including Oxbow beers), 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.

Those interested in the Maine Summer Adventure Race can find more information at https://www.midcoastconservancy.org/events/maine-summer-adventure-race-71517/, MaineSummerAR.weebly.com or by searching for the Maine Summer Adventure Race on Facebook.