Castlewood 8-Hour Adventure Race©

2026 Information Coming Soon.

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Named by Terrain Magazine’s Readers as the Best Adventure Race in the area, the Castlewood 8-Hour Adventure Race© has grown to become the third-largest adventure race in the country. And it’s all happening right here in St. Louis.

What is Adventure Racing? A multi-sport, off-road, team event with no marked course. Teams must use a map and compass to navigate their way through a series of checkpoints on mountain bikes, in canoes, and or on foot to reach the Finish line.

How long is the race? Expect to cover 5-10 miles paddling, 15-20 miles biking, and 5-10 miles on foot. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section for more information.

Race Location: That’s a secret! Part of the appeal of adventure racing is charging into the unknown on race day. A course overview will be available closer to race time to help you plan your gear and food. Plan on four to eight hours of continuous movement through the woods, rivers, and roads of the St. Louis area. (Even though the event is named after Castlewood State Park, we may not necessarily even go through the park on race day!)

Team Configurations:

• 2-Person (Co-Ed, Men’s, and Women’s Divisions)
• 4-Person (Co-Ed, Men’s, and Women’s Divisions)
• Family (2+ related people, one over 18 and one under 18, one canoe per team)

Please Note: the cap for previous races was 300 participants and registrations were SOLD OUT before the end of October. Register early to ensure your spot in the race! 

EVENT NOTES:

• This year’s Race HQ (though still a secret!) does not allow alcohol to be consumed on its premises. We will be working with our League beer sponsor 4Hands Brewing Co. to provide vouchers for you and your team to use post-race. 
• You must register by November 1 to guarantee you receive this year’s logo hoodie as part of your registration.