By David Markham
If you want to get outdoors this fall and explore seldom-seen areas of two JCPRD parks, the TimberRidge Adventure Race could be for you!
“This is a wonderful opportunity to unplug from life and complete a challenge that will use multiple skill sets: navigation, map reading, teamwork – there are almost too many to count,” said Special Events Coordinator Katy Renner. “It’s also a great way to explore areas of the park that you would never see.”
Now in its third year, the TimberRidge Adventure Race will take place on Saturday, Sept. 16, and will include activities at Kill Creek Park, Kill Creek Streamway Park, and on portions of the adventure course at TimberRidge Adventure Center.
Last year’s event at TimberRidge drew 200 participants, and organizers anticipate about the same number of racers this year.
People like this event, Renner said, because it gives participants “the chance to get their friends and family out in nature and do something ‘different.’ This race takes people off the beaten path and into areas of the park that are WAY less traveled.
She added that this adventure race, as well as one in May in Shawnee Mission Park, draws “lots of families looking for a fun activity that everyone will enjoy. We’ve seen several families with young kids just out to explore nature and discover something new.”
This year’s TimberRidge Adventure Race will again offer a six-hour option beginning at 9 a.m., and a two-hour option beginning at 10 a.m. Both races will take place rain or shine.
The two-hour race will be entirely on foot and open to solos and teams. This course is designed for the beginner, but two-hour racers may encounter a few difficult challenges along the way. Racers need to be prepared for trekking on paved trails as well as through brush, trees, and maybe even water.
The six-hour course will have the following divisions: solo, two-person team, three-person team, and four-person team.
Officials anticipate those on the two-hour course will expend six to eight miles of trekking (both hiking and running), while those on the six-hour course will expend five to seven miles of trekking, plus ten to 15 miles of mountain biking, and one to two miles of paddling (canoe for teams and kayaks for individuals). There may also be surprise challenges along the way.
It is also important to note that during the event, athletes will have access only to the gear, food, and drink that they carry on their bike or in their pack.
For the two-hour course, solo registration is $40, while registration for a team or family (up to four) is $70, additional team members are $17.50 each. For the six-hour course, the cost is $65 for solo athletes, $130 for teams of two, $195 for teams of three, and $260 for teams of four. Registrations for both the two- and six-hour courses will end at midnight on Friday, Sept. 15, which is the day before race day. To register, go to runsignup.com/Race/KS/Olathe/TimberRidgeAdventureRace. 
For more information, contact Renner at [email protected] or by calling 913-826-2964. Volunteers ages 12 and older are also being sought for this event. If you’d like to volunteer or learn more, go to runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/KS/Olathe/TimberRidgeAdventureRace.
Both race options will begin from the beach house in Kill Creek Park, 11670 S. Homestead Lane, Olathe. Packet pickup for these races will be onsite on the morning of the event beginning at 7 a.m.