Family Adventure Race
Sunday, September 21st, 2025
Ground UP Adventures' Family Adventure Race
Race Start: Boathouse on the Red
Ground UP Adventures' Family Adventure Race is a multi-sport events (run, bike, and boat) scaled down specifically for youth and family participation. Our Family Adventure Race requires no prior experience, lasts around 2 hours, and focuses on having fun and building confidence and outdoor skills in area youth.
So what should you expect? Racers will be treated to an 'adventure racing' style course where they need to find their way (navigate) to a number of checkpoints using a map and compass. Maps will be provided at the beginning of the race. The race starts and ends at the Boathouse on the Red and teams will travel along the Greenway to collect checkpoints. Racers will be allowed to use bikes to reach the checkpoints but should be aware that many of them will require getting off the bikes and walking in order to locate them (i.e., they may be in a section of woods, etc). A few checkpoints will be located along the Red River as well, so racers will paddle via kayak or canoe to collect those points. There will be somewhere between 10 and 20 checkpoints on the course and teams will attempt to get as many as possible in around 2 hours. Racers should plan on the possibility of getting a little muddy and a little wet. The focus of these races is not on speed---instead, it's on teamwork and finding specific checkpoints---the faster your team is, the more checkpoints you will be able to find. For an idea of what to wear and bring to the race, click HERE. Ground UP Adventures will provide compasses, life jackets, and boats for use during the race. Racers will need to bring their own bikes and helmets.
FAR Grand Forks: Sunday, September 21st, 2025
Location: Boathouse on the Red (120 Riverboat Road, Grand Forks, ND)
Time: 1:00-3:00 pm
There are two categories available for each event:
- "Family Team" (consisting of at least one adult and any number of kids)
- "Youth Team" (consisting of 2-4 youth aged 10-16)
Racers 9 and under must race on a Family Team, unless otherwise arranged (contact us). Racers 10-16 on a Youth Team must have parental consent in the form of a parent signature on the event waiver. Copies will be available at the race start.
- Race will be capped at 100 total racers.
- Online registration cost is $15 per youth racer 6-16 years of age, $5 for youth racer 3-5 years of age. Adults on family teams are free, as are racers 2 and under.
- Race Day registration will be available (starting an hour before the race) at the race start, assuming spots are still available.
NOTE: An Adventure Race is NOT a relay race! Teams are required to stay together (within 100 feet) the entire race. Adventure races encourage good communication, teamwork, navigation, and being active outdoors!
Past Races
2024: FAR Grand Forks (Cancelled)
2023: FAR Grand Forks
2019: FAR Grand Forks
2015: FAR Grand Forks - Photos
2014: FAR East Grand Forks - Photos
2014: FAR Winnipeg - Results, Video, Photos (Larissa's, Wes's)
2013: FAR2 (fall) - WDAZ (news coverage), results, photos
2013: FAR1 (spring) - photos, results
2012: Photos, Video