2022 Tuscazoar Adventure Race

Tuscazoar Adventure Race - July 9, 2022  

A rugged & fun adventure awaits in this action-packed race! Run, Paddle, Trek, Mountain Bike, and Orienteering! Navigate your way around Camp Tuscazoar, the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail and the Tuscarawas River to see if you have what it takes to earn the title! Team up with friends or tackle the challenge solo. Racers will cover up to 16+ miles over the rugged and beautiful terrain of Northern Tuscarawas County.  

 

RACES

 

THE SPRINTER

The shortest of our two races with the Mountain Bike stage on the easier 3-mile East Side Trails. The legs of the race are laid out in a specific order. Competitors will do the race legs in order until they finish the course.

Race options:

• Sprinter
• Sprinter + Orienteering 

Stages in order: Running - Paddling & Trekking - Mountain Biking - Orienteering 

Distance

Estimated mileage for race stages are: Running 5 miles - Paddling 3.5 miles - Trek 1 mile - Mountain Biking 3 miles  

Official mileage will be released closer to the race date

Recommended level: Beginner to Intermediate

Race Categories:

Solo: Male / Female

Two-person teams: Male / Female / Co-ed

*All two-person teams must Start and Finish the race with their Teammate*

 

THE ULTIMATE

The longest of our two races with the Mountain Bike stage on the more grueling and technical West Side Trails.  The legs of the race are laid out in a specific order. Competitors will do the race legs in order until they finish the course.

Race options:

• Ultimate
• Ultimate + Orienteering 

Stages in order: Running - Paddling & Trekking - Mountain Biking - Orienteering

Recommended level: Intermediate to Expert

Distance

Estimated mileage for race stages are: Running 5 miles - Paddling 3.5 miles - Trek 1 mile - Mountain Biking 8.5 miles 

Official mileage will be released closer to the race date

Race Categories:

Solo: Male / Female

Two-person teams: Male / Female / Co-ed

All two-person teams must Start and Finish the race with their Teammate

 

ORIENTEERING  

Once again, the Northeastern Ohio Orienteering Club (NEOOC) will incorporate an orienteering element as an adventure option in this year’s race as an equally weighted discipline.  If selected by the participant, the final results of the Sprinter and Ultimate race WILL INCLUDE the orienteering element.  

Race options:

• Sprinter + Orienteering 
• Ultimate + Orienteering 
• Orienteering Only (Register with NEOOC Here)
  • If the registration is not yet available for the Orienteering Only event, please check back at a later time or contact NEOOC directly. 

The orienteering will be a point-to-point navigational challenge mixing on-trail and off-trail land features.  The course distance and control-placement difficulty will be calibrated to result in an approximate 1hr challenge for an Ultimate runner of average orienteering skill —expert navigators are certain to be lower— and an approximate 40 minute challenge for Sprinter race participants who choose to add orienteering to their adventure. 

Orienteering ONLY option: If you just want to orienteer, a 90 minute score-style event* will be conducted in parallel with the start of the adventure race.  For orienteering only, you will register with NEOOC (see above).  This will be a treasure hunt style event with locations having varying point values.

Are you interested in Orienteering and want to give a try first?

To encourage more participants to include the orienteering element in their race experience, NEOOC will host a 3hr Score-style event at Camp Tuscazoar on Sunday, May 22nd, 10:30am check-in, 11:00am start.  They will also have club members onsite to show newbies how to use the SPORTIdent system, provide some insights on how to best read your topographic map, and to decode some those pesky symbols used in orienteering.  Whereas this will be a full-scale orienteering event open to the public, consider it practice on the terrain in which you will be competing.  And no one is stopping you if you bring your bike and your watercraft in order for you to practice those elements as well.  

 

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RUNNING SECTION  (Racers must wear appropriate footwear at all times)

Both the Sprinter and Ultimate will start with the running section. This is a mix of gravel road, single and double track trails

 

PADDLING SECTION

Canoes, SUPs, and Kayaks are not provided, you will need to be bring your own. You must have paddles and PFDs.  They will be staged with your boat located at the transition area. You will not need to carry paddles or PFDs. You are responsible for transporting your boat and gear to the staging area prior to the beginning of the race. Once you exit the river/paddling section you must leave your Canoe, SUP, or Kayak, and paddle equipment in the transition area.  All boats and gear (PFD and paddle) will be transported back to a staging area for you to pickup after the race. 

Portage: You will need to portage your boat from the transition area to the river access as part of the race. Portage distance is roughly 250 to 400 yards based on the location of your boat at the staging area.  Drop off your boat early to get a good spot!

Trekking: At the river takeout you will begin a grueling Trek out of the Tuscarawas River Valley to the mountain bike transition area.

 

MOUNTAIN BIKE SECTION

Road and Cyclo Cross bikes are not permitted. Racers must use the same bike throughout the entire race. In the event of mechanical failures, replacement parts can be used but they must be provided by the team, other racers, or an event official. No outside assistance is allowed. Bikes will not be checked for mechanical worthiness, but we recommend your bike be in good working order. Tuscazoar offers some of the most challenging mountain bike trails in Ohio!

 

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GEAR

Mandatory Gear

Mandatory gear will not be checked during check-in. Random checks on gear may be performed during the race.  These items are not all inclusive of items you will need to complete the race. You will be out in the elements for the length of the race. Bring other equipment as appropriate to get you through the event.

• Racers must carry water with them at all times and wear appropriate footwear
• Water-Hydration system (Hydration pack, water bottle, etc.)
• Closed-toe shoes must be worn during the entire race (no bare feet or open-toe sandals)
• Mountain bike (mandatory). The terrain will not be paved so make sure your bike can go on hard packed dirt trails and gravel roads.
• Helmet (CPSC, ANSI, or SNELL certified)
• PFD Class II or lll

Allowable watercraft per race category:

Solo (Kayak / SUP / Canoe)

Two-person teams (Double Canoe /  Double Kayak / Two Single Kayaks / SUPs) 

 

All equipment must be provided by participants. You are responsible for the arrival and pickup of any rental equipment. Information regarding local rental equipment can be directed to: info@tuscazoar.org

Canoes and Kayaks may be available for rent through the Outfitters listed below. 

(Camp Tuscazoar is not affiliated with any of the below Outfitters.) 

https://www.stillwateroutfittersltd.com/

http://www.breakawayexcursions.com/

https://www.erniesbikeshop.com/trailhead-canoe-livery

https://www.cfcanoe.com/

http://www.canoe-ohio.com/

 

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RACE SCHEDULE

Saturday July, 9

7:00 am - 8:00 am    Boat drop off at Canal Lands Area

7:00 am - 8:45 am    Race Packet Pickup at Camp Tuscazoar

8:45 am                      Pre-Race Brief – Mandatory for all racers  

9:30 am                      Race Start (Staggered)

4:00 pm                      Race Finishes

 

TIMING

This year timing will be conducted by NEOOC via the SPORTident timekeeping system.  This will require each participant or team to carry a small sensor with which they will check in (or ‘punch’) at the completion of each race element and each control point on the orienteering course.  This will be new.  But the sensor is tiny and should not impede your performance in any way.  

 

AWARDS

1st, 2nd, and 3rd in each race category. 

Awards will be presented in a timely manner following the completion of the top 3 finishers in each race. 

 

ADDITIONAL INFO

 

Directions

Race Registration and Start/Finish

Camp Tuscazoar Foundation 

6066 Boy Scout Rd. NE
Dover, Ohio 44622-7541

Boat Staging/Transition Area

Canal Lands Park Trailhead

8645 Dover Zoar Rd NE, Dover, OH 44622

Lodging

There are several options for lodging in the area.  Camp Tuscazoar offers a variety of options for overnight accommodations.  There are cabins, tent sites, RV sites, and also available will be individual bunks for a small fee of $10 per night.  You can visit the offerings from Tuscazoar through their website: www.tuscazoar.org.

Also in the area are many other accommodations available by visiting the website :

www.traveltusc.com

Food Options

There are also many dining options available listed on the website: www.traveltusc.com under Where to Eat.

What is it like to live, work, and play in Tuscarawas county?

Check out www.livetusc.com

Questions or concerns - please contact info@tuscazoar.org

Volunteer

The heart of a great event is its volunteers. If you have a passion for helping out and are interested in volunteering, we'd love to have you join the fun!  We have options for individuals, groups and families.  Looking to complete service hours?  We can help you out with that too.  Just let us know by emailing: info@tuscazoar.org

*All race details are subject to change due to weather and unforeseen circumstances*