Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet
October Is a Great Month to Adventure Outdoors in Kentucky!

Oct. 5, 2011 – During the month of October, Kentucky will showcase its unbridled passion for adventure and competition through several noteworthy events.

First up is the sport of adventure racing, which is growing by leaps and bounds, with about a 20 percent increase in participation between 2008 and 2009. The sport’s two largest organizations are holding their national championships in Kentucky this fall.

The United States Adventure Racing Association will host the 2011 Adventure Race National Championship, Oct. 6-8 at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.

The race involves coed three-person teams trekking, mountain biking and paddling canoes for 24 hours. The competitors use only a topographic map and compass to navigate the course. Teams must qualify for this event at regional qualifying races. The race starts Friday morning, Oct. 7, and ends Saturday morning, Oct. 8. (www.usaranationals.com)

Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing will host its national championship Oct. 21 at Kentucky’s Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

The 24-hour race will cover more than 100 miles as competitors trek, mountain bike and paddle their way through one of the state’s top destinations for outdoor recreation. Racers will encounter unique terrain that will challenge their navigation skills at every turn. (www.checkpointtracker.com/adventure_racing_championship)

The state is also host to the USA Canoe and Kayak National Wildwater Team Trials, Oct. 14-16 on the Russell Fork River in Pike County. This competition determines the American team for the 2012 World Championship to be held in La Plagne, France. Practice sessions are scheduled for Friday, Oct. 14, with competitions taking place on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15-16. The competition includes a 500-meter sprint race in addition to the standard 2-mile race. (http://www.USAwildwater.com)

Besides these great spectator events, Kentucky also has a few other events for those who want to participate in some early fall adventures:

Knott County Fall Trail Ride, Oct. 7-9 at the Mine Made Adventure Park in Leburn  – This event hosts thousands of riders and horses for a weekend of riding and activities. Camping is available for $15 per person for the weekend (children 12 and under are free).  (www.knottcountyadventure.com/horseback-event.html)

Orienteering Day, Oct. 8 at Taylorsville Lake State Park – This family-friendly event takes place beginning at 10 a.m. and costs $10 for adults and $8 for students. (www.olou.org/schedule.html)

3rd Annual Holler Crawlers Haunted Forest Ride, Oct. 22 at Wilderness Trail Off-Road Park – This year’s Haunted Forest Ride is sponsored by the Office of Adventure Tourism, and representatives will be at the event answering questions about other outdoor adventure opportunities in the state. Plus, ATV celebrity TV host Brian Fisher will be on site filming for his new series, the “Keepin’ It Real Tour.” This event is free. (www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=124162760988434)

So whether you want to play or watch (or both), Kentucky’s got a ton of offerings in the month of October. For more information about adventure activities, visit getoutKY.com or facebook.com/KYOutdoorAdventure.

About Kentucky Outdoor Adventure and the Office of Adventure Tourism:  Kentucky is home to more than 12,000 hiking, biking and horseback riding trails and campsites; thousands of miles of rivers and more coastline than Florida; the longest cave system in the world; and nearly 900,000 acres of national forests – and that’s just the beginning of the list. The Office of Adventure Tourism aims to highlight these adventure opportunities so that others can experience Kentucky’s one-of-a-kind attractions.

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