Calling All Volunteers!

Following the success of the inaugural Expedition Ozark and Adventure Ozark adventure races in 2023, the Arkansas Ozarks will again welcome top adventure racers from around the world in 2024. Hosted from Bentonville, Arkansas, the Expedition Ozark 5-day race returns April 7th through the 13th with several weeklong volunteer opportunities available. 

With the remote nature of adventure racing, the event offers a variety of solo and group volunteer opportunities - everything from supporting pre-event festivities and finish-line celebrations to spending the week in the middle of the race action as part of the race team. For adventure race fans, it’s your opportunity to see past and reigning World Champions and up-and-coming stars competing for a qualifying spot in the 2024 ARWS World Championships later this year. 

As a thank you, all Expedition Ozark and Adventure Ozark volunteers will take home event-specific swag – with several volunteer positions providing meals, accommodations, and travel costs during the event. 

To explore volunteer opportunities, check here or email our Event Director at bpack@ozarkfoundation.org 

 

Resources

2023 Expedition Ozark Sample Map Set:
Sample Trek
Sample Paddle
Sample Bike

2023 Adventure Ozark Sample Map Set:
Map 1
Map 2

2024 Expedition Ozark Race Schematic: HERE
2024 Expedition Ozark Leg Estimations: HERE

2024 Adventure Racing World Series Rules of Competition: HERE

2024 Expedition Ozark Mandatory Gear List: HERE

Newsletters:
Expedition Ozark
2024 Expedition Ozark Newsletter 1
2024 Expedition Ozark Newsletter 2
2024 Expedition Ozark Newsletter 3
2024 Expedition Ozark Newsletter 4
2024 Expedition Ozark Newsletter 5
2024 Expedition Ozark Newsletter 6
Adventure Ozark
2024 Adventure Ozark Newsletter 1
2024 Adventure Ozark Newsletter 2

EO Schedule of Events: HERE

Expedition Race Q/A:

  • Will the maps look the same this year? The small roads and trails was a bit hard to see on the maps. The vegetation color and the contour lines are very dominant on the maps. Maybe it’s partly because of the printing, or is it the same on the race maps? Look like ig is different in different maps.

    • We learned a lot about the maps from last year and have many plans being implemented to increase the readability for this set!

  • On the trekking map there is a black and white boundary that according to the race book you have to stay inside. Your route is going outside for a short bit on a trail South of the roadcrossing. Was that ok to take that trail?

    • If I am understanding the point you are referencing, that is actually a bike CP that just showed up on the trek map due to location.  The 5's were bike CP's and the 6's were trek CPs.  Teams got those bike CPs as they were headed into the TA before heading out on foot. 

  • We will arrive on thuesday and would like to go out to some area on thursday and friday, and look at the terrain before the race. Is there anywhere we can go that is not in the racearea? 

  • Maps. We are both navigators. Do we as a 2-person team also get two sets of maps?

    • Yes all teams will get two sets of maps, even 2 person teams

  • UTM tool. We can't find this in the Netherlands/Europe. Do you know if there are selling points in the USA, or could we order one in the USA online and send it to one of the organizers?

    • We are actually going to drop this requirement after making the final decision that there will NOT be any plotting this year

  • Waterproof gear boxes. We don't have these boxes. Could you maybe help us to borrow/rent these boxes in some way in the USA? Or would 100L or so waterproof duffel bags also be allowed?

    • We will require bins for stacking ability.  We will have some for rent (while our stock lasts) for $10/bin rental. 

  • Kayak pump: is it allowed to use battery-powered pumps for pumping up the packraft? (asking because one race in Europe didn't allow pumps on batteries last year).

    • Yes that is allowed

  • Regarding drinking water; How drinkable is the water from the streams in the general race area? Is it mainly natural contamination from animals like in most natural areas, or are there also industries higher upstream?

    • Generally speaking most of the water sources you will be on and nearby are pretty clean as a start! 

  • We arrive one day early, and we would like to do a white water paddle with some level II and III rapids in a nearby river. Preferably with local transport options from race location. Of course you don't want to give away the white water sections of the race, so could you maybe point us towards kajak/white water-related Apps/websites that are used in the United States where we could find informations about the white water rivers in the general area?

    • Unfortunately for paddle recommendations - all we are going to be able to advise is a great google search of paddling options from Bentonville, AR!  You can use a resource of a local guide service, 37 North Expeditions, to potentially handle private transportation.  Other than that, no ideas on transport sorry! 

  • As mentioned we arrive april 5th on 16:23 from Minneapolis to have a bit more time with the jetlag. Could you help us with the transfer from the Airport, or should we arrange this ourselves?

    • We will start complimentary airport pickup for anybody arriving on Friday, April 6th or after, so yes you can plan on us getting you from the airport. 

  • If we would like to order some items like a UTM tool or Kokopelli packraft pump over the next weeks, would it be possible to let them being sent to one of the organizers/race location to save on shipment trouble?

    • You can send them to Race Director, Danny Collins and he will make sure they are ready for you when you arrive. Email him for the address.

  • Are arm-pieces allowed as base layer top together with a short sleeve shirt?

    • Yes that would be acceptable

  • Are leg-pieces allowed as base layer legs together with short bike pants?

    • Yes that would be acceptable 

  • Schematic doesn't show Paddle Bag at TA4, but stage 5 is a paddle.  Stage 4 looks like a loop trek, where we drop the boats, but we wanted to be sure that we won't see the paddle bag there.

    Corollary:

    • Confirmed - you will NOT see the paddle bag at TA4

  • When paddling, will we have to take the paddle bag (and so everything in it) with us, or may we leave it at the TA before paddling and see it at the end of the paddle?

    • We will transport paddle bags where it is noted on the schematic here.  You will only have to carry the bag/extra stuff when you want/need it before you see the next Paddle Bag noted at the next TA.  

  • Schematic doesn't show BikeBox at TA7, but Stage 8 is a bike. Is this correct or an oversight

    • Confirmed - you will NOT see Bike Box at TA7

ADVENTURE OZARK RACE Q/A

  • Recs on size of pack (certain liter size?)to fit required gear list?

    • This varies a ton based on the weather and how much you drink!  I would recommend carrying 2-3 liters on your back and then as many bike water bottles as possible.  Better to have too much than not enough.  That being said, the majority of the 8 hour race is always pretty urban!

  • Recs on wearing 1 pair of shoes vs another pair to bike in. Will you have to carry the extra shoes on you? Can you leave your bike shoes with your bike if they don’t clip in?

    • Again this is preference.  I generally wear different bike shoes, but Jason does NOT.  If you ever leave your bike along the ride you will be allowed to leave your helmet and bike shoes as well as they are not mandatory gear on the paddle or trek sections!  

  • Will the bikes be left safely somewhere? Some of our kid’s bikes (and parent’s)are pretty pricey as they compete with Nica and Enduros.

    • If bikes are dropped anywhere at any point during the race then yes they will be monitored by race staff!  

  • Do we need to sign a waiver or something special for our 15 and 16 year olds competing?

    • Yes we will have waivers to sign at packet pick and parents will sign for anyone under 18!

 

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