Quando as corridas de aventura começaram a se popularizar pelo mundo seguindo os passos do Eco-Challenge, um circuito de provas curtas e rápidas tomou conta dos Estados Unidos: a Hi-Tec Adventure Race Series.
Organizador por Michael Epstein (MESP Productions) o circuito possuia etapas espalhadas pelo país, com circuitos regionais e uma grande final.
Apesar de chamada de Adventure Race, o evento era uma mistura de corrida de aventura, corrida de obstáculos e testes lúdicos, sempre focado no trabalho em equipe, formadas por 3 integrantes. Cada corrida inclui um percurso básico aproximado de 20 Km de Mountain Bike, 12 Km de Trekking e 3Km de canoagem. E no meio de tudo isso, entravam os obstáculos e testes.
O tempo médio de conclusão variava entre 3-6 horas.
O formato pode não agradar os corredores de aventura ‘raiz’, mas trouxe muita popularidade para o esporte e inclusive era transmitido na televisão. Os eventos chegavam a reunir quase 1.000 participantes.
No seu auge o evento foi adquirido pela Balance Bar (barras de proteína) e passou se chamar Balance Bar Adventure Series, que além da provas curtas, lançou um circuito de 24 horas.
Veja abaixo algumas imagens e videos
Over 311, three member adventure racer teams start the HI-Tec Adventure Race at Yargo State Park in Winder, GA on Sunday, June 24th, 2001. This was their third annual event at the park and the largest in this years series. (Photo/Nathan Bilow)Youngsters of all ages took part in the chalderns adventure race at Yargo State Park in Winder, GA on Sunday, June 24th, 2001. They were part of the HI-Tec Adventure Race Series as a fun race for the children, while their parents competed in the adult race with over 311, three person teams that participated in todays race, what was their third annual event at the park and the largest in this years series. (Photo/Nathan Bilow)Mountain bike riders, rides over a bridge at the HI-Tec Adventure Race at Yargo State Park in Winder, GA on Sunday, June 24th, 2001. This was their third annual event at the park and the largest in this years series. (Photo/Nathan Bilow)Doug Crytzer (L-R) of Pittsburgh, PA, Toby Angrove of Indiana, PA, and Jeanne Truschel of Pittsburgh, PA hang on to the top of the Slippery Mountain with Chrisco Oil during the HI-TecAdventure Race at Yargo State Park in Winder, GA on Sunday, June 24th, 2001. Over 311, three person teams participated in todays race, what was their third annual event at the park and the largest in this years series. (Photo/Nathan Bilow)Over 311, three member adventure racer teams start the HI-Tec Adventure Race at Yargo State Park in Winder, GA on Sunday, June 24th, 2001. This was their third annual event at the park and the largest in this years series. (Photo/Nathan Bilow)Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images
