The Course Reveal Podcast

Course Reveal: Back to the Berg — The 2026 Expedition Africa Course Reveal

This episode of The Course Reveal Podcast drops on race morning — which means that as you listen, the teams are already moving. Expedition Africa: Back to the Berg is an expedition-length adventure race set in and around the Drakensberg of South Africa — one of the most dramatic and unforgiving landscapes on the continent. Race directors Franco Olivier and Damon De Boor join host Brian Gatens, along with commentary from adventure racing journalist and Expedition Africa veteran Adam Rose, to walk through what they've built before the final results are in. And what they've built will test everything. Navigation that punishes complacency. Rivers that demand respect. Mountain bike stages that go on long after your legs have stopped cooperating. A rogaine through terrain that looks the same in every direction at 2 AM. A dark zone that will separate the race winners from everyone else. And a final push into the Berg that ends on a via ferrata above one of the most spectacular views in African adventure racing. Franco and Damon have spent over a year designing a course that is hard without being cruel, remote without being reckless, and beautiful in the way that only suffering in a remarkable place can be. The course is open. The teams are racing. This is Expedition Africa: Back to the Berg. Shownotes: https://www.instagram.com/expafrica [https://www.instagram.com/expafrica] https://www.facebook.com/expafrica.net/ [https://www.facebook.com/expafrica.net/] https://ea26.maprogress.com/ [https://ea26.maprogress.com/] Sponsors: @alpineheathresort [@alpineheathresort ] @pigglywigglymidlands [@pigglywigglymidlands ] @dargleforestlodge [@dargleforestlodge ] @hebronhaven [@hebronhaven ] @merrellsa [@merrellsa ] @radbag.co.za [@radbag.co.za] @squirtcyclingproducts [@squirtcyclingproducts ] @foreverfresh.sa [@foreverfresh.sa] @bikebox.company [@bikebox.company ] @freedomchallenge [@freedomchallenge ] @drakensbergbrewery [@drakensbergbrewery]

Course Reveal: USARA National Championship 2025

Welcome to a special episode of The Course Reveal Podcast, a companion show to The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast. Today, we turn our attention to the 2025 United States Adventure Racing National Championship, where the best teams in the country will gather in Northwest Arkansas to battle for the top of the podium. This year’s Nationals features a demanding 230-kilometer course, with 78 teams racing against the clock for up to 30 hours across trekking, mountain biking, and paddling stages. Expect rugged terrain, steep climbs, and the wild beauty of the Ozarks as racers push themselves through a nonstop test of endurance and teamwork. We’re joined by two key voices at the heart of the event: Stephanie Ross, Nationals Coordinator, and Michael Garrison, Executive Director of USARA. Together, they’ll guide us through the vision behind this year’s championship, the details of the course design, and what makes Northwest Arkansas such a powerful stage for the sport. If you like what you hear, please subscribe, like, and share. TCR is designed to offer the at-home fan/dotwatcher another opportunity to enjoy and engage with their favorite races. You Keep Watching, and We'll Keep Talking. Shownotes: Race Website - https://www.usara.com/2025-national-championships [https://www.usara.com/2025-national-championships] Tracking Website - https://live.enabledtracking.com/usara2025/ [https://live.enabledtracking.com/usara2025/]

Course Reveal: Subaru Canada Adventure Racing World Championship 2025

Welcome to a special episode of The Course Reveal Podcast, a companion show to The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast. Today, we turn our attention to the 2025 Subaru Canada Adventure Racing World Championship, where the best teams on the planet will converge in Penticton, British Columbia, to chase the ultimate prize in the sport. This year’s race features an epic 799-kilometer course, with teams racing for up to 9 days across glaciers, mountain ranges, whitewater rivers, and backcountry roads while visiting remote villages along the way. Expect rugged mountains, complex navigation, and the dramatic landscapes of British Columbia as athletes push through a relentless test of strategy, endurance, and teamwork. We’re joined by three key voices behind the event: Lyndie Hill of Hoodoo Adventures, Race Director John Ford, and Course Designer Alex Man. They go deep into the course, the challenges faced by the racers, and their pride and joy in bringing the ARWC to British Columbia. Together, they’ll guide us through the vision for this year’s championship, the details of the course design, and why British Columbia is the perfect stage for the world’s toughest teams. If you like what you hear, please subscribe, like, and share. TCR is designed to give at-home fans and dotwatchers another opportunity to connect with and enjoy the world of adventure racing. You Keep Watching, and We’ll Keep Talking. Shownotes: Race Website - https://www.expeditionracecanada.ca/ [https://www.expeditionracecanada.ca/] Tracking Website - https://www.expeditionracecanada.ca/livetrackmedia [https://www.expeditionracecanada.ca/livetrackmedia]

Course Reveal: Endurance Quest Saimaa ARWS European Championship

Welcome to the Course Reveal Podcast. Join Course Director Lauri Hollo as he breaks down each stage of Endurance Quest Saimaa. As the Adventure Racing European Championship, this race will bring 60 teams from 12 countries to the Savonlinna region of Finland, and winners will earn a coveted spot at the ARWS World Championships. The course includes more than 70 km of trekking, 125 km of mountain biking, 44 km of paddling, and 2 km of swimming – plus climbing and rope challenges. Competitors have up to 30 hours to complete the race course. This demanding course will be the highlight of the European adventure racing season. If you like what you hear, please subscribe, like, and share. TCR is designed to offer the at-home fan/dotwatcher another opportunity to enjoy and engage with their favorite races. You Keep Watching, and We'll Keep Talking. Shownotes: Race Website - https://www.endurancequest.org/ [https://www.endurancequest.org/] Tracking Link - https://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/2025eq/ [https://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/2025eq/]

ITERA Scotland Expedition Race - Part 2: August 12, 2025

Welcome to the Course Reveal Podcast. ITERA is an iconic expedition-length adventure race, and we are delighted to bring you the second half of the course. Paul McGreal and Tom Gibbs sit down with host Brian Gatens to break down the course from Stage 7 all the way until the Finish Line! Please see the shownotes below to follow the race. If you like what you hear, please subscribe, like, and share. TCR is designed to offer the at-home fan/dotwatcher another opportunity to enjoy and engage with their favorite races. You Keep Watching, and We'll Keep Talking. Shownotes: ITERA Website - https://itera.co.uk/ [https://itera.co.uk/] Tracking Link - https://live.durtyevents.com/itera2025/ [https://live.durtyevents.com/itera2025/]