Primal Quest: Adventure Racing With Respect For The Environment

Photo by Mike Hedge

When it comes to large scale sporting competitions, it’s hard to not have a significant environmental footprint; waste and carbon emissions of thousands of spectators and competitors are just the beginning when it comes to the impact that such an event can have. Fortunately some events are taking a more environmentally friendly stance when it comes to their competition policies. But it’s also important to highlight the efforts of those competitions which, due to their nature, are inherently environmentally friendly.

Take Primal Quest: the ecologically aware wilderness Expedition Adventure Race abides by the United States Adventure Racing Association’s “Adventure Racing Ecological Standards,” which incorporate traditional environmental standards similar to Leave No Trace. During the annual multi-sport expedition race, athletes pack out what they pack in (including waste) and are required to practice responsible backcountry travel at all times. Those who don’t abide are disqualified.

For organizers and participants of Primal Quest, respecting the environment isn’t about greenwashing or generating interest because of an eco-centered marketing strategy. “It’s a pretty solid emphasis across the entire sport of adventure racing, because we won’t continue to have access to these places if we don’t take care of them. I haven’t met anyone in the sport that doesn’t adhere to some environmental policy,” says Kraig Becker, Media Director of Primal Quest.

Contestants compete in co-ed teams of four, trekking, mountain biking and navigating over a rigorous course, going as fast as they can. This year’s course is over 600 miles in South Dakota’s Badlands, and because of the terrain, teams will have a little more freedom with navigation; on certain sections of last year’s event, which took place in Montana, teams were restricted to specific trails. But with the risk of being disqualified for not adhering to the event’s environmental ethos, the footprint of Primal Quest 2008 was barely noticeable. “In Montana, rangers were quite concerned about [our] impact on trails,” says Becker. One park ranger in particular was very protective of the parks and not too keen on Primal Quest racing through them. But Becker points out that by the end of the race, the ranger was thinking differently.  “After we went through, she was completely blown away, she didn’t even know that we were there; we’re talking 60 teams. She said she ended up with one candy bar wrapper at one check point.” Compare that to your average sporting competition and you begin to understand what makes Primal Quest so unique.

Photo by Andres Vargas

Packing out what you pack in might seem like a hassle when you’re competing against the clock, but Primal Quest athletes are receptive to the guidelines. “It’s not even a question [about abiding by the eco standards] they want to keep these places pristine as well. I didn’t hear one complaint ‘oh we have to take these bags’ once,” says Becker.

The environmental footprint of Primal Quest may be small, but because of a commitment to giving back to the community that the race takes place in, the social impact of the race can be felt long after the athletes have left. In Montana, Primal Quest 2008 helped build a new network of hiking and biking trails, leaving a way for others to respectfully enjoy the outdoors. Although this year’s project has yet to be determined, we can expect good things; giving back is “definitely part of what we do,” says Becker.

To learn more about Primal Quest check out www.ecoprimalquest.com.