When I heard about the inaugural KEEN Vail Kids Adventure Race last year, I knew my 6-year-old daughter Hadley simply had to try it.
This is her year.
On Saturday, August 13, 2011, kids ages six through 12 will get a fun introduction to adventure racing. Teams of two work together to navigate a variety of sports and and problem-solving challenges, including mountain biking, hiking, tubing, archery, a low ropes course, a zip line, a climbing wall, a Tarzan swing, a giant slip-n-slide and more. Competitors will be divided into three waves based on age and will start at set intervals. An after party and awards ceremony will take place immediately following the race.
I don’t know about you but I wish they had this race for adults!
Despite the fun factor, I had fears my 6-year-old was ready to tackle it last year but my worries were in vain. While there are some kids who are serious competitors, most are out there to have a fun adventure. Parents are permitted to accompany their child throughout the race to watch the different challenges but are asked to refrain from helping them. A large fleet of volunteers is on-hand to provide assistance.
My daughter Hadley will be competing with our neighbor Sydney. While most kids are slacking off this summer, I’m thrilled they’ll be setting worthwhile training goals and having a great time achieving them. We’ve even recruited a few other friends to compete in the older divisions.
The cost is $150 per team of two. Registration includes a 2011 KEEN Vail Kids Adventure Race backpack and other goodies. Registration is limited to 100 teams of two kids. To register, download the registration form and fax to (970) 479-2281 or email it to [email protected].
Go to http://www.vailrec.com/kidsadventurerace.cfm for additional information.
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
Nicole
I wish they had that for adults too! Looks like a lot of fun!
Juliann
This sounds great! My daughter’s 9 and a Young Marine. She’ll be on break and would love to do this. Thanks for the info. I’d love to see an update with pointers on how you plan to train. Oh, and again, why isn’t there something like this for adults?
Amber Johnson
Great idea on training pointers. I’ll whip something up and repost soon!
Kara
My kids did this race last year. My daughter grabbed the zipline in front of the pulley (OUCH!) and ripped skin off her hand, so she was hurting through much of the race. (She got nervous and just forgot she shouldn’t grab the cable.) Then her partner – her cousin – left the map that you need stamped back at a previous station… needless to say, they had a rough race. My younger son (and his cousin) did a bit better! 🙂
There are some hard core kids doing this race (like kids of adventure racers), and others (like mine) in it for fun.
Last year there was a STEEP hike up the face of Vail Mountain. I’m told the biking and tubing legs weren’t bad (innertube down Gore Creek). The slip and slide down the mountain was hilarious.
My son’s cousins are doing it again this year – we’ll be in Yellowstone!
Overall, the race was quite well run and what an experience for the kiddos!
Amber Johnson
Great, honest feedback. There are certainly risks for doing the race and this is just a good reminder. We’re definitely going to train and prepare as much as we can but certainly things can happen along the way!
Carol
They sorta have things like this for adults but they feel the need to add mud to the experience. My friends have done them but I had to pass. I’m not a real fan of getting muddy!
Good luck to Hadley on her race!
Amber Johnson
How funny you would say this because I just heard about the Dirty Girl Mud Run. It would be a whole lot more fun WITHOUT the mud, me thinks. 🙂
Amber Johnson
My daughter competed in this yesterday and truly truly had the time of her life. I’ll include the link after I post about it.