As if an adventure race in North Dakota wasn’t unexpected enough, check out these images from the END–SPAR event last weekend. A total of 34 teams toed the start line, and the race included biking, running, and navigation as well as a few unusual things like a sandbag carry through a marked course (including a beaver dam crossing); a BB gun shooting range test; and a “Coke can” stove challenge where racers needed to melt snow. This is not to mention fording the Turtle River, of which race director Andy Magness noted “ice on the bottom of the river made footing difficult.” He continued, “There were lots of unexpected swimmers.” —Stephen Regenold
River Crossing. Cold water = pain.
Two all-female squads teaming up to cross icy river
Deep snow on the sandbag carry challenge
Coke can stove challenge
Approaching checkpoint #9 on bike
Team YogaSlackers/ENDracing riding to checkpoint #10
Checkpoint near river (note the ice in the water)
Punching a checkpoint
Pack-rafting a swollen spring river
