Well it is a big weekend in Blue Ridge as the 11^th annual Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race takes Place. Some of the best Adventure racers in the country are in Blue Ridge this weekend for this grueling 35 to 40 mile race. Downtown Blue Ridge will be hopping with activity this afternoon.Each 4 man team consists of 3 racers and one support person. Each 3-man team of racers must be co-ed in order to be eligible for trophies, however all male or all female teams are allowed to participate. The majority of the race takes place south of Blue Ridge out the Aska Rd. corridor in the Chattahoochee National forest. This year the race will start at the Toccoa Valley Campground and will take racers 6 to 10 hours to complete the course.

The course of the Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race changes from year to year. However  some combination mountain biking, running/trekking, kayaking, canoeing, rappelling, orienteering, wet river crossings and climbing, as well as numerous “mystery challenges will be used.

One of the biggest draws to the Blue Ridge area is the variety of nature trail system of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Race planners will use portions of the Benton MacKaye Trail, the Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area and Aska Adventure Area and the racers never know exactly what to expect on race day. Water events usually include portions the Toccoa River and Lake Blue Ridge.

Racers have to navigate their way through the course and make decisions along the way. It is not just about speed, endurance and stamina it is about making the correct choices. Even for the best racers it is not uncommon to get lost somewhere along the way.

The racers will finish in downtown Blue Ridge at the park where there will be food vendors and live reggae music by Natti Love Joys. Racers should begin finishing some time between noon and 5 PM so stop by the Blue Ridge Park and join the fun.