| Have you ever watched the EcoChallenge or The | | | | athletic. If you can read a map and in some |
| Amazing Race and thought, I can do that? Well, | | | | cases, use a compass, you can do it." Still, he |
| here's your chance. Meet Rick Eastman, owner of | | | | says, "While we wouldn't encourage anyone to go |
| Sierra Adventure Sports (SAS). While working as | | | | from a sedentary lifestyle to a bunch of activities |
| a Stock Broker Rick spent his spare time | | | | they're not confident in, most people with |
| competing in Adventure Races. He soon tired of | | | | average athletic ability can do this. And the best |
| balancing his work with traveling hundreds of miles | | | | part is, it's always a fun adventure." |
| to various races as there weren't any near his | | | | Although Sierra Adventure Sports makes |
| home in Phoenix. He decided to use his experience | | | | adventure racing available to the general |
| and stage his own race. With 25 racers | | | | population, Rick was once surprised when Paul |
| participating, The Desert Rage Adventure Race | | | | Newby Fraser, winner of 24 Ironman Triathlons |
| was a hit. | | | | and Heather Fuhr, winner of six Ironman |
| Since that day in 2003 Sierra Adventure Sports, | | | | Triathlons including the World Champion in 1997, |
| named after Rick's daughter, has held events in | | | | showed up at one of his races. As Rick puts it, |
| four states and will add two more states to that | | | | "We were simply star struck. Suddenly you realize |
| list this fall. SAS holds a variety of branded events | | | | that your event better be really, really spot on |
| including Scavenger Dash, Mad Mud Run, Desert | | | | because their word will carry quite a distance." |
| Rage Adventure Racing, Extreme Heat Adventure | | | | And while the company began by catering to |
| Racing, Spin Psycle and the Full Moon 5k. With | | | | individual and team racers, "corporate events |
| approximately 25 events per year the participants | | | | were a natural extension, as adventure racing is |
| come from all walks of life but have one thing in | | | | so closely related to the teambuilding type events |
| common - they like to have fun! | | | | utilized in the corporate world," says Rick. SAS's |
| And fun they have. Challenges include scavenger | | | | corporate events include geocaching, mini |
| hunts, mountain biking, running, hiking, paddling, | | | | adventure races, scavenger hunts, orienteering |
| orienteering, adventure tubing and, in the case of | | | | courses, in-office mini golf courses, group paddling |
| the Mad Mud Run, getting really dirty. While most | | | | down the Salt River and Turkey Bowling |
| racers are competitive by nature, they are | | | | Tournaments. |
| generally not professional racers. Many of SAS's | | | | So, whether you're a novice or an experienced |
| events are accessible to the general population, | | | | hiker, a weekend warrior or training for a |
| from those who are regular racers to weekend | | | | marathon, a group of friends looking for some fun |
| warriors. As Rick says, "Because most races don't | | | | or a CEO hoping to inspire his or her staff, SAS |
| let you know where you're going until the start, | | | | has an adventure for you. |
| it's as much a mental/strategic competition as it is | | | | |