24 years of FIG. Two race lengths. One seriously special course.

12HR + 24HR | Red River Gorge | November 7
Via Ferrata • MTB • Navigation • Trekking • Packrafting (24HR)
24HR USARA Regional Qualifier

Kentucky’s longest-running adventure race returns - and we’re planning something worthy of its legacy.
A 24HR USARA Regional Qualifier for its 24TH running…
A 12HR option for those that love that distance…
An exciting ropes section in the form of a via ferrata…
Packrafts.
Fancy maps.
Trust us, it’ll be a good one.

REGISTER FOR THE FIG

LENGTH: 12 Hour or 24 Hour Cutoff
DISCIPLINES: Navigating • Biking • Trekking • Ropes
• Packrafting (24HR only)
• NO token paddle for the 12HR (you’ll be too busy doing other cool stuff)
WHERE: Red River Gorge Area, KY
WHEN: Start Saturday, November 7, 2026
WHO: Solos or Teams
USARA Sanctioned. USARA Regional Qualifier
THE COURSE:
Expect a big, strategic course built to reward smart decisions. We’ll take you into areas FIG has never raced before and give you a chance to experience what the Red River Gorge is famous for - getting onto the rock.
COST: 12HR: $185 | 24HR: $315
DEADLINES: Registration CLOSES November 1. Shirt Deadline is October 20.
Registration Includes
- A race-integrated Via Ferrata experience - one of the most unique you’ll find in any adventure race
- Premium FIG-branded longsleeve (that you’ll actually wear)
- High-end waterproof maps with lidar-generated contours and vegetation layers, plus the option to add extra map sets during registration
- A well-set, thoughtfully designed course
- 24HR is one of USARA’s Regional Qualifiers for the National Championship. The winning mixed-gender 3/4-person team earns guaranteed entry to Nationals plus an $800 Nationals race credit
- Perfectly placed checkpoints
- Post-race meal catered by Hop’s
- Race-day access to private property and unique sections of the Red River Gorge you wouldn’t normally get to experience
- Friday evening get-together (pre-race party)
- A genuine, old-school adventure racing experience
Friday — November 6
- Get-Together & Personal Gear Staging: 5:00–9:00 PM
- Mandatory Prerace Meeting: 7:00 PM
Saturday — November 7
- Gear Staging: 5:00–6:00 AM
- Check-In + Maps: 6:00 AM
- Race Start: 7:00 AM
- Race Cutoff: 7:00 PM / 7:00 AM

Via Ferrata

Ropes are part of the Red River Gorge experience, so both the **12HR and 24HR FIG** will give racers the chance to get onto the rock with a Via Ferrata section built into the course.
Expect fixed cables, iron rungs, ladders, and exposed sandstone terrain that let you move through the Gorge in a way most visitors never experience.
**All mandatory gear will be provided** for this section, so there’s no need to bring specialized climbing equipment.
The checkpoints will be **optional, but highly encouraged**. You can skip them if needed, but this is absolutely one of those FIG experiences that make adventure racing, adventurey.

CHOOSE YOUR FIG

“The FIG is always my favorite race each year.”

— Team Type II Fun

THE SWAG
SHIRT DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 20
We swagged this same tri-blend hooded long sleeve for last year’s FIG race, and it’s still the shirt we see people wearing more than any other. Lightweight, ridiculously comfortable, and actually useful.

REGISTER BEFORE THE SHIRT DEADLINE

FAQ

We’ll share firmer recommendations once the Start/Finish location is announced.

However, Red River Gorge has just about every type of lodging you can imagine, from cabins and tiny houses to hotels, glamping, and campgrounds. Our friends at Red River Gorge Vacations have put together a great collection of options, and you can check out all the options here - redrivergorgevacations.com/lodging
If camping is more your style, check out our host campground for the race - Land of Arches. We’re still waiting on a few final details before we can confirm race headquarters, but this is the likely location for the start/finish and Friday evening get-together.
Checkout this page from USARA, How to Get Started in Adventure Racing. It has great info and links to additional resources. Then get ready to be transformed by the sport of AR.
The 24HR course will include packrafting on moving water.

Already have a packraft setup you trust? Bring it. As long as there’s a seat per racer, you’re good to go.

If you don’t (and can’t borrow one from an expedition racer) we’ve partnered with two packraft rental providers who know adventure racing and have supplied boats for numerous events. Between Packrafting Adventures and Backcountry Packrafts, you should have no trouble finding a suitable setup.
Be prepared for moving water with Class I–II sections.

Don’t expect to carry your packrafts for huge distances. “Huge” is relative in adventure racing, of course, but if we’re planning anything substantial, we’ll give you a heads-up before race day.
Drysuits? Early November in Eastern Kentucky can be anything from mild to downright cold. If you own a drysuit, bringing it may be a very good call. If not, Tyvek suits are becoming increasingly fashionable in the AR world, and depending on conditions, good layers plus rain gear may be perfectly adequate.

If you’re new to packrafting, take a look at this USARA YouTube playlist. We strongly recommend getting some practice in before race day -not just paddling the boat, but figuring out how to transition, inflation and configuration.

Lastly, if this is your sign to finally invest in a packraft, MRS is where to start. Their tandem Barracuda R2 Pro is one of the most common boats you’ll see at adventure races - and for good reason. It’s the best.
We’ve partnered with MicroRafting to make that investment a little easier. Use code 361ADVENTURES at checkout to receive the Adventure Race Essentials Bundle free with your packraft purchase.
Important: Add both the packraft and the bundle to your cart, then apply code 361ADVENTURES at checkout for the bundle discount to apply. There’s lead times on boats, so plan ahead.
Note: No paddling for the 12HR option. You’ll be too busy playing on ropes and MTB to get on the water.
We’ll share more as plans develop. There’s also the element of embracing the unknown. We’ll send a Racer Communication the week(s) before the start with the essentials. Otherwise, train up & show up Saturday morning. Have a fun time finding checkpoints in the woods. Simple.
You'll have earned it.
Stick around for the post-race party and a meal from Hop's - longtime favorites in the Gorge and masters of feeding hungry racers.
It's a chance to swap stories, relive the day's highs and lows, celebrate new friendships or repair old ones, and celebrate doing something remarkably hard.
We’re bringing back a little of that old-school FIG feel. Since 12HR and 24HR racers will be finishing at different times, Friday night is our chance to get everyone together before the race.
We’ll have a low-key pre-race hangout with food available for purchase, plenty of time to catch up with other racers, and the mandatory pre-race meeting at 7:00 PM.
Come early, grab some food, hang out, and settle in before race morning.

Location TBD.