Rootstock Racing has never been one to shy away from a challenge. This time, their racing takes them deep into the arid beauty of southern Africa. In this episode of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast, Abby Perkiss, Brent Freedland, Matt Cymanski and Michael Garrison share their experience racing in Expedition Africa Namibia, a once-in-a-lifetime event set against the stark landscapes and sweeping deserts of Race Director Heidi Muller's homeland.

We talk sand dunes, strategy, carrying water, and the joy of expedition racing as the team recounts the highs, lows, and everything in between from their time in Namibia. What does it take to race across one of the world’s most iconic and unforgiving environments? How do you prepare, adapt, and endure when the terrain pushes back at every turn? What did Matt find so appealing about gas station sandwiches?

From Windhoek to the wild, this is a story of resilience, teamwork, and the challenge of international adventure racing.

Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking!

Show notes:

www.rootstockracing.com

https://arworldseries.com/races/expedition-africa-namibia-2024-namibia

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Hike For Her Registration Page - https://raceroster.com/events/2025/99558/hike-for-her-2025

Hike For Her Auction Site - https://app.galabid.com/hikeforher

https://www.wilddriftless.com/race-information

What do caves and adventure racing have in common? More than you might think. Dave Jackson, founder of CaveSim and a highly experienced caver, joins us to share lessons learned in the dark, cramped passages of the underground—and how those lessons apply to racing, teamwork, and managing fear. His traveling cave simulator teaches thousands each year, and his wisdom offers practical tools for when you find yourself deep in the unknown, pushing forward as a team.

Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking!

Show notes:

https://www.cavesim.com/

https://caves.org/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

Hike For Her Registration Page - https://raceroster.com/events/2025/99558/hike-for-her-2025

Hike For Her Auction Site - https://app.galabid.com/hikeforher

www.wildernesstraverse.com

TDZ is happy to support The Checkpoint, presented by the United States Adventure Racing Association, through this crosspost of Episode #10. Thank you for listening and for supporting USARA.

Episode Details Below:

Welcome to Episode 10 of USARA's The Checkpoint Podcast.

In this episode, Brent sits down with Cliff White of Strong Machine Adventure Racing to explore the personal and team growth that has shaped their success over the past decade. Strong Machine has earned impressive results at both the national and international levels, and Cliff offers valuable insight into the strategies and experiences that have driven that success. A big thank you to Cliff for taking the time to share his story and expertise with us.

Guest Link:

Strong Machine Adventure Racing - https://www.strongmachinear.com/

Featured USARA Races:

Tug Hill Extreme Adventure Race - https://tughilloutfitters.com/tug-hill-extreme-adventu

Teton Ogre Adventure Race - https://tetonogre.com/

Shownotes:

Emily Korsch's AR Blog - http://www.emilykorsch.com/p/about-me.html

Thanks to Brian Gatens of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast (www.ardarkzone.com) for his assistance.

Be sure to visit the United States Adventure Racing Association at www.usara.com

Thank you for stopping by The Checkpoint. Don't stay here too long. There's training and racing to get to!

TDZ is thrilled to welcome race director Robert Le Brun to the show to talk about The Ratel — South Africa's newest and most exciting adventure race! This epic 450 km challenge will unfold in the breathtaking Richtersveld, known as Africa’s “holy grail” of adventure.

At TDZ, we love shining a spotlight on new races, and The Ratel promises to deliver big on challenge, strategy, and adventure. Robert is not only leading the charge as an RD — he’s a fierce racer himself — and we can't wait to dive into what makes The Ratel such a standout event.

Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking!

Show notes:

The Ratel - https://arworldseries.com/races/die-ratel-expedition-2025-south-africa

The Dark Zone Episode 52 - David Webster of Team ACDC - https://ardarkzone.com/2022/11/25/dark-zone-52-david-webster-of-team-acdc-ar-the-biggest-first-race-leap-ever/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

www.wildernesstraverse.com

TDZ is pleased to welcome back Kim Beckinsale to discuss her experience as a racer, referee, and race director for the Amazons Australia Stage Race. Kim’s long history in multisport, combined with her perspective as both a champion racer and a race official, gives TDZ listeners a valuable look into the world of adventure racing. This is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking!

Show notes:

The Amazons Australia - https://outdoorsqueensland.com.au/whats-on/the-amazons-australia/

TDZ Episode 91 - Team Mountain Designs Wild Women - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dark-zone-an-adventure-racing-podcast/id1578529221?i=1000647735469

TDZ Episode 99 - Nathalie Long and Raid the Rockies Stage Race - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dark-zone-an-adventure-racing-podcast/id1578529221?i=1000662616424

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

www.wildernesstraverse.com

Thanks to a listener recommendation, TDZ is excited to welcome Adventure Racer, Ultrarunner, and Former Navy Seal Harald Zundel. With nearly 30 years of ultrarunning and adventure racing under his belt, Harald brings tons of stories, wisdom, and that signature adventure racer attitude. Oh, and if you're into jungle leg parasites, you’ve come to the right podcast!

Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking!

Show notes:

World Peace Games 1998 - https://gulfnews.com/today-history/today-in-history-march-191998--world-peace-games-open-in-dubai-1.2190231

WPG Information - https://www.alshindagah.com/march98/desert.htm

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

www.wildernesstraverse.com

TDZ is happy to spotlight the upcoming SOAR Women + Adventure Racing Retreat coming this March 2025. Karyn DuLaney, Britt Mason, and Jen Tillman join the show to discuss SOAR (Stretching Ourselves in Adventures and Racing), the Women of AR Team, and the immersive retreat filled with workshops, clinics, and community, plus an orienteering meet to finish off the weekend. We also sneak in some discussion about the Women of AR's commanding performance at this year's USARA National Championship Race.

Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking!

Show notes:

Retreat Website - https://www.jentillhuman.com/soar?

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

www.wildernesstraverse.com

The calendar may say February, but on today's episode, it's September 2025, and the USARA National Championships is right around the corner. Thank you to USARA Executive Director Michael Garrison, Nationals Coordinator Stephanie Ross, and Ozark Foundation Director of Operations Brannon Pack for joining TDZ to offer an early peek into the 2025 USARA National Championships.

Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking!

Show notes:

USARA Nationals website - https://www.usara.com/2025-national-championships

Ozark Foundation - https://ozarkfoundation.org/

Visit Bentonville - https://www.visitbentonville.com/

Enabled Tracking - https://www.adventureenablers.com/

Ted King and Bentonville - https://www.instagram.com/iamtedking/p/DBUpjhfuiu8/?img_index=1

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

www.wildernesstraverse.com

We don’t track humor-based metrics at The Dark Zone, but if we did, this episode would be tough to beat. Barb Campbell is a fixture in the Canadian adventure racing community, and we’re delighted to finally have her on the show. She’s been a longtime reach guest on our episode planning whiteboard, and it was well worth the wait. Enjoy the conversation!

Programming Note - The 2010 UTNE video referenced by Barb is linked below and, yeah, they were awfully tired.

Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking!

Show notes:

www.wildernesstraverse.com

Untamed New England 2010 (credit to Randy Ericksen) - https://vimeo.com/29901661

The Dirtbag Diaries - What is Hardcore? - https://dirtbagdiaries.com/hardcore/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://chimneysweepva.com/

We’re thrilled to welcome Paul McGreal of Durty Adventures to TDZ! As the Race Director behind the legendary ITERA race, Paul dives into the exciting return of this epic 5-day adventure, the timeless allure of AR, and the life lessons we pick up while navigating through the wild. Paul’s been a longtime friend of TDZ, and having him on the show felt like sharing a warm, virtual cup of tea with a longtime mate. This mid-winter episode is the perfect boost to keep your training spirits high and get you dreaming about the season ahead!

Thank you for listening. If you like what you hear, please like, click, and subscribe on your streaming platform of choice. This helps spread the word about Adventure Racing and TDZ's role in elevating the sport.

Remember - You Keep Racing, and We'll Keep Talking!

Show notes:

https://itera.co.uk/

https://arworldseries.com/

Sponsor Links:

https://www.ascendathletics.org/

https://www.wildernesstraverse.com/