MWR's Adventure Race at Smith Lake Ends with Mystery Event

On a clear and sunny morning, 28 teams lined up to start the third annual Fort Bragg Adventure Race at Smith Lake. Beginning at 7:30 a.m., the adventure race challenged participants in canoe paddling, a 10K bike ride, a 5K run, orienteering, and a mystery event. This year’s mystery event was a frisbee golf event.

Adventure racers navigated the challenging course in teams of two. Teams were placed in one of five competitive race divisions: men’s open, women’s open, men’s 35 and older, women’s 35 and older, and mixed open (one male and one female team member). 

“I found out about the race when I was on the MWR website looking for hiking trails,” said adventure racer Kim Maxwell. “When I saw this event listed, I thought ‘what’s better than a race?'"

The top three active duty men’s teams and the top active duty women’s teams qualified to represent Fort Bragg and race against competitors in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force in the 11th Annual Wilderness Challenge in Fayetteville, West Virginia on October 6th.

Fewer teams competed in the event this year than the previous two years. The Fort Bragg MWR staff believes the decreased turnout was a result of having two brigades currently deployed. Even with lower numbers, the staff was pleased with the turnout.