VentureQuest Adventure Race

Saturday September 30, 2023

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VentureQuest Adventure Race

VQ returns to Button Farm Living History Center, Schaeffer Farms, and Seneca Creek State Park. VQ has challenged, rewarded, and inspired close to 4500 athletes in its history. VQ is where is all began for EX2 and we are excited to produce our 17th edition of this special race.

Race Date: Saturday September 30, 2023
Race Venue: Button Farm Living History Center/Seneca Creek State Park (Germantown, MD)
Course Length: 10 hours or 6 hours

Start List

6-hour racer information

10-hour racer information

VentureQuest is a sprint and middle distance adventure race that is held in the suburbs of Washington DC. The terrain is gorgeous and has a truly remote feel for being so close to a major metro area. Racers love the fact that they can compete in a challenging adventure race so close to home.

Race Format

In 2023, VentureQuest will feature both a 10-hour and 6-hour adventure race. In each event, competitors are tasked with navigating to find a series of checkpoints, all while trekking, biking, and paddling the beautiful areas in and around Seneca Creek State Park. There are plenty of surprises, twists, and decision making in this race, all of which will cost or save time for each team.

Team members must travel together the entire race. VQ is not a relay. That’s part of the fun! You’re team is as fast as your slowest teammate! The best teams will work together and help each other to go fast as a team.

10-Hour Race

Saturday September 30, 2023
Total Distance: 35+ miles
Trekking: 10+ miles
Mountain biking: 25+ miles
Paddling: 2+ miles

Disciplines: Biking, trekking, paddling, orienteering (intermediate + advanced)

6-Hour Race

Saturday September 30, 2023
Total Distance: 20+ miles
Trekking: 5+ miles
Mountain biking: 15+ miles
Paddling: 2+ miles

Disciplines: Biking, trekking, paddling, orienteering (beginner + intermediate)

Resources

Below are links to a previous year VentureQuest map and rules of travel. This race was held at Pohick Bay in Lorton, VA. There is also the recording of the Q&A and mini-clinic held in 2022.

Registration Fees

10-Hour Course

Soloists and teams of 2 or 3 are allowed.

$125/person – New year (by 1/1)
$135/person – Early (by 7/2)
$145/person – Regular (by 8/31)
$160/person – Late (by 9/27)

6-Hour Course

Soloists and teams of 2 or 3 are allowed.

$75/person – New year (by 1/1)
$85/person – Early (by 7/2)
$95/person – Regular (by 8/31)
$110/person – Late (by 9/27)

Registration Fee Includes

Fun and challenging course design, finisher medal, boats, life jackets, paddles, awesome maps, professional race operations, wonderful volunteer support, medical support, plentiful post-race food, electric atmosphere, great music, awards and give-a-ways, and a race t-shirt you’ll love.

Race Weekend Schedule

Saturday September 30, 2023
10-hour race
6:00am – check-in and map distribution opens
7:15am – race briefing
8:00am – race start
3:00pm – post-race food available
6:00pm – race course closes
6:30pm – awards

6-hour race
6:30am – check-in and map distribution opens
8:15am – race briefing
9:00am – race start
1:00pm – post-race food available
3:00pm – race course closes
3:30pm – awards

Details for check-in, map distribution, etc. will be provided in advance of the event.

Gear Information

Mandatory Gear for Each Racer

Bike (mountain bikes are highly recommended)
Bike helmet
Way to carry enough food and water for the length of the event

Mandatory Gear for Each Team

Race map (provided at check-in)
Race rules of travel (provided at check-in)
Race passport (provided at check-in)
Basic bike repair kit (spare tube, a way to inflate a tube, bike multi-tool)
Watch
Cell phone (fully charged)
Small dry bag for your cell phone (either a few zip locks or a store bought dry bag)
Whistle
Space blanket (at least one per team).

Recommended Gear

Waterproof map case (this can be as simple as a zip lock bag or a fancy store bought case)
Appropriate clothing for the weather that day
Compass

** All paddling gear (canoe, kayak, PFDs, and paddles) will be provided for in-person race. Racers may use their own paddles and PFDs if they wish, but must transport them to and from the paddle portion of the race.

Directions

Button Farm Living History Center
(Staging Area – RACE DAY ONLY)
16820 Black Rock Road
Germantown, MD 20874

From Interstate 270:

Exit 15A-B MD-118 S toward Germantown. Follow for approx. 3.9 miles.
Turn RIGHT onto Black Rock Road and follow for approx. 1.3 miles.
Turn RIGHT into the Button Farm Living History Center.
Follow the signs to the huge fields behind the farmhouse. This is a working farm with roaming animals, especially around the farmhouse. So, please drive SLOWLY at all times on the farm.

Awards

Awards will be presented to the top five in all race categories. Awards will be presented after the race at the awards ceremony.

Race Rules

Use of any GPS device that has a visual display of distance or map is forbidden.
Non-GPS bike computers are allowed on your bikes.
Team members must stay within 100 ft of each other at all times (unless otherwise instructed).
All team members must follow all official race rules provided during check-in.
Portable music players or any device requiring earphones are not permitted.
Pets are not allowed on the course.
Respect other racers, volunteers, race staff, and the environment. No littering.
Poor sportsmanship may result in disqualification.
Racers must notify race officials if they drop out of the race.

Age Groups

Solo Divisions
Male, female

2 Person Team Divisions include:
Duo mixed gender, Duo Female, Duo Male, Duo-Masters (combined age 100+)

3 Person Team Divisions include:
Mixed gender, Female, Male, and Masters (team members any gender, combined team age of 150+)

Additional Information

Ready for Adventure?!?!

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