Looking for epic adventures

Hey, please give me your most epic, challenging gorgeous nature-laden races in Nordic Skiing, Ultra Running (or marathon), and triathlon. Regular Ironmans are no longer cutting it. :smiley:
Willing to travel in North America, but preferably North from Texas. Could be interested in taking part as a team as well.
Provide links to website directly if you can please.

1-2-3 GO!
Massive thanks,
MJ
PS. Currently suffering from the Post-Race Blues and need inspo and new BHAGs.

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Wildflower is to this day my favorite event. The race is a super challenge and the broader event was just the right amount of serious fun:
https://www.wildflowerexperience.com/

Took a few years off due to water levels, COVID and otherwise. Canā€™t be sure that the reissue will match past peaks, but Iā€™m pretty psyched for the return. The camping part made it a super event for teams and families.

Wildflower Oly was my first-ever tri. I returned for the long course in 2014 and got spanked (who needs fuel on a ride?!). Heading back next year in an attempt to redeem myself. Iā€™ve signed up for the Wildflower Squared: 70.3 on Saturday and Oly on Sunday (baby steps to an eventual full?).

Alsoā€¦Escape from Alcatraz (https://www.escapealcatraztri.com/), which is now run by T100, is another super unique, incredibly challenging event. Probably my quickest OWS ever (trying to keep away from the sharks!).

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Awesome, thank you @SoCal1x
both on my radar - and look out for a little Athletica stunt announcement coming up regarding wildflowerā€¦ :smiley:

MJ

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OK, Iā€™ll dump items from my bucket list that meet the criteria of either epic, scenic, max vibes, or a combination of all. Some are specific to my part of the world, but perhaps something will suit:

Triathlon

Running

Cycling

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I crewed for a friend who did Old Dominion in Virginia. Itā€™s a 100mi ultramarathon around Fort Valley, beautiful and extremely challenging!

https://ultrarunning.com/calendar/event/old-dominion

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Sharks have a way of increasing stroke rate (pun intended) :sweat_smile:

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Epic adventure trialthon

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It isnā€™t a ā€œraceā€ to speak of but this coming March, Iā€™m doing Rim to Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon. Leave at 4:00am, run down South Kaibab, across the canyon floor, up North Kaibab, touch the sign and run back!

Depending on where you start from, itā€™s around 44-48 miles which isnā€™t a ton but it has some climbing obviously. Some hike hike it, some run most of it but a typical/realistic R2R2R time is around 15-17 hours.

Self supported and amazing views!

Not too far from Texas either!

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Yes I have rim to rim on my bucket list :smiling_face_with_three_hearts: thank you

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I would watch this website for events: XC events Cross Country Ski Center | Tahoe Donner

Oh, I like this :slight_smile:

Thanks!
Erik

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Check out https://changeyourlatitude.org - itā€™s an OW swim with distances from 1k to marathon with the epicness being: in the ocean in Alaska! A friend of mine does it every year and brings others of us along (not yet me, but being Alaskan, I need to join him someday).

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Iā€™ve always wanted to visit Alaska. When I do, Iā€™ll hit your friend up. Swimming in Alaskaā€¦not an everyday adventure lol

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