Tug Hill Extreme Adventure

Tug Hill Outfitters is hosting the 5th annual Tug Hill Extreme Adventure on Saturday, May 30 - Sunday, May 31, 2026 in Boonville, NY, on the Tug Hill Plateau. The race start and finish will be at Hidden Meadows Campground.

There will be two race options this year, a 24-hour and an 8-hour race:

24 Hour Adventure Race

This will be a fun race course with lots of on and off-trail navigation, and fewer beaver marshes than previous editions!

The 24 hour race is a United States Adventure Racing Association (USARA) Regional Qualifier and sanctioned points race, as well an Adventure Racing World Series, North America (ARWS-NA) points race. Prior to the race, each team will receive one set of topographic maps with pre-plotted checkpoints that you will use to navigate the course with map and compass only, while trekking/running, mountain biking, & paddling. The team that finds the most checkpoints within the 24 hour time limit wins. If teams fail to make it back before the time cut-off, they will lose 1 checkpoint for every minute they're late. Teams sizes can range from of 2-4 people. Any solo racers in the 24-hour event must have significant racing experience and will need to contact the race directors for prior approval before registering.

This year, race headquarters will be located at Hidden Meadows Campground in Boonville, NY. The majority of checkpoints will be optional so teams can tackle as much or as little of the course as they see fit, making this a great race for both new and experienced racers. Approximate distances for each section of the course are still being finalized. The total minimum distance will be achievable by all teams and the maximum distance to punch all optional checkpoints will push the top teams to race for the full 24 hours. Expect some seriously beautiful and remote locations, and epic off trail treks!

Mountain bikes are highly recommended as you will be traveling over some rough terrain and racers will be required to carry mandatory individual and team gear during the race (to be announced). There will be at least one opportunity to drop and access a gear bin during the race.

This race will have something for everyone, from teams looking to try their first longer distance, overnight adventure race; to teams hoping for more intense navigation challenges.

Boat Details:

During registration, you'll need to choose from two options: Tug Hill Extreme Adventure 24 Hour - Bring your Own Boat OR Tug Hill Extreme Adventure 24 Hour -Race Provided Boat. In order to source enough boats in our rural region, and to accommodate up to 150 participants, we are relying on some racers to bring their own boats, in addition to using the Tug Hill Outfitters rental fleet, and also working with regional outfitters to source boats from the area.

Teams that bring their own boats will be required to drop boats off at the race start the night before the race (Friday 5/30). On race day, we will transport boats out to the paddle section and back to the start/finish. We will have volunteers at the site at all times to make sure your boats are safe. Due to race logistics, we have limitations on the number of boats we can move, and will thus there will be a cap on the number of “bring you own boat teams” allowed to register for the race. If you really want to use your own canoe/kayak please register as soon as possible. If you bring your own boat, any canoe/kayak will be allowed. If you choose to have the race directors provide a boat, it will likely be a 2 to 4 person canoe, or a tandem kayak.

What's included:

24 hours of awesome adventure racing

USARA Regional Qualifier (the top 3-4 person mixed team will be given guaranteed entry to USARA Nationals and an $800 credit towards entry)

Performance T-shirt

Live tracking system

1 set of race maps per team (option to purchase a second set)

Race passports (for punching checkpoints)

Post race food and drinks

Prizes for top finishers in each division

8 Hour Adventure Race

This shorter adventure race will have something for everyone, and will be designed with beginner racers in mind, but will also have more challenging off-trail navigation for experienced racers. Additional details will be released soon. At this time we're unsure of whether the 8-hour race will include a short paddle. The race will definitely include biking and trekking.

USARA membership:

This is a USARA-sanctioned event. Racers must either have an annual USARA membership or purchase a single-event license through RunSignUp. Annual membership is instrumental in sustaining USARA’s efforts to support the US-based AR community and host an annual National Championship. In addition to supporting the community as a whole and having single-event fees waived, annual membership includes access to ExpertVoice, an incredible resource for athletes that unlocks pro-deals to hundreds of name-brands. For new racers, check out USARA's "New to Adventure Racing" database, a terrific collection of articles that will help you dive into the amazing sport of AR!

“As a USARA-sanctioned event, we adhere to USARA’s anti-doping policies. It is your (the athlete’s) responsibility to uphold the integrity of the competition and reputation of adventure racing as a clean sport through educated use of supplements, medicines, and other treatments and to understand what is permissible according to USARA standards. In addition to contributing to a level playing field for all competitors, USARA’s policies are designed to help athletes learn more about the medications, substances, and methods they use for the sake of long-term health. We encourage you to spend some time reviewing USARA’s stance on the importance of Ant-Doping, educating yourself through their collection of helpful resources, and understanding the consequences of doping infractions (medicinal, supplemental, or mechanical) by reviewing USARA’s dedicated page to anti-doping https://www.usara.com/anti-doping

Post Race Awards & Festivities:

Post race festivities will be at Hidden Meadows Campground. There will be a post race meal and one craft beer or other NA beverage per racer. We'll have awards about 45 mins after the race finish with prizes for top finishers in each division.

On-Site Camping & Area Lodging:

Race headquarters is located at Hidden Meadows Campground (8834 Hennessey Rd, Boonville, NY 13309). Camping will be available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. There are RV and tent sites available to reserve. Reach out directly to Paul Kinney at Hidden Meadows Campground to reserve a site. (315) 264-3342, [email protected]

Other lodging options:

Boonville has a hotel, The Lodge at Headwaters, several vacation rentals and other campgrounds.

Registration cost, Tug Hill Extreme Adventure 24 Hour

Through February 28th

• Bring you own boat = $200

• Race provided boat = $240

Through May 24th

• Bring you own boat = $225

• Race provided boat = $265

What costs are involved with putting on an adventure race?

• Performance race T-shirt

• Resort/Host fees

• Post race food and drink

• Live Tracking

• Photographer/media

• Water resistant maps & passports (1 set per team)

• Canoe/kayak rental

• vehicle and trailer rentals for moving race gear

• Shared costs for insurance, prizes, state land use permits, advertising/event marketing, porta potties)

Race Team Categories:

Men's, Women's, Nonbinary Solo Racers

Men's, Women's, & Mixed Gender 2 person teams

Men's, Women's, Mixed Gender 3 or 4 person teams

Youth 2 to 4 person teams

Family 2 to 6 person teams (8 hour race only)

Prizes for top finishers in each category

Questions: Contact: [email protected]; 315-807-3696