Karin Chandler/Winonan

Students studying Recreation Tourism and Therapeutic Recreation are excited for the Winona Adventure Race (W.A.R.) after a long semester of planning.

Trisha Palmieri, a student who is part of the equipment committee, said, “Finding all the correct elements to put on the W.A.R. has been a little difficult, but I can’t wait till we put it all together and get to see the finished product.”

W.A.R. was formally known as the “Eco Challenge,” and consists of paddling, running, biking, orienteering, and rappelling.

The Elite event costs $25 and is a 12-mile course, while the Paired Social event costs $10 and is five miles.

Participants may choose to bring their own equipment; however, Dave Wright, assistant professor of the recreation tourism and therapeutic recreation department, said participants “don’t have to bring their own equipment necessarily; bicycles yes, but we provide all the watercraft.”

From coordinating to funding, the planning process has been long and tedious.

“There’s quite a lot involved. There’s a lot of planning, lot of coordinating, lot of sponsorship from the community. Try to get people to help with funding and we normally get really good response,” Wright said.

Anyone can participate in the race. Wright said, “We have people from all over; people who are seasoned athletes, people who do this for a living, and have loads of very fit people.”

Marissa Schwartz, a student, said the race is “a great way for everyone to sample a few of the different outdoor opportunities here in Winona.”

For students that have not signed up yet, time is running out; there’s only room for 20 Elite participants and 40 Paired Social participants.

Students that have participated in the race before thought it was well worth their time.

“Not only did we have to overcome nature, and the cold weather, but working together with a partner made the task very daunting and challenging,” Nick Meyer, a student who did the Paired Social W.A.R. last year, said. “Paddling across Lake Winona with strong winds and waves in your face was difficult, but me and my partner Kayla pulled together and made the race a personal success for us.”

Winona has excellent resources to make this race possible. Wright said, “[Winona] is a perfect venue for such an event. I’m excited to bring the community and the students together to make this work.”

Wright doesn’t have any major concerns for the race. “Safety is always paramount,” he said. “That’s pretty much it; otherwise, it’s all good times. It’s a great community; meeting other people within the community with similar interests.”

The race will be on Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Jaycee Pavilion. The Elite event begins at 1:00 p.m. and the Paired Social event begins at 2:00 p.m. Registration forms can be found outside Memorial 115, at the OERC office, at the UPAC office, at Winona’s Lake Lodge or online at www.winonaadventurerace.wordpress.com. Upon registering, participants also receive a free T-shirt.

Contact Karin at
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