Fifty-three adventure race teams competed in the annual Atomic Adventure Race in Georgia last weekend, with two teams running neck-and-neck throughout much of the 24-hour race. 

 The weather was mild as the race started at 7 a.m. Saturday but took a nasty turn by 5 p.m. when a severe thunderstorm passed through the mountain region. 

Two people from one team reported later that the lightning was so close they felt it on their skin at one point. “They said they thought they had been struck by lightning, but everyone was OK,” said Joanna Erion, media director for the race. The racers did not seek medical attention.

Erion, an adventure racer and member of host team Team ROC Gear/4LPH4 1337, said the storm passed by and the race was able to continue. “The rain was really coming down hard for awhile,” she said. “The water came down so hard and fast that several canoes turned over in the river. Fortunately, no one was hurt.”  

Despite the weather, racers appeared pleased with the event. “Many people said it was the best race of the year,” Erion said. The Atomic race is known for being difficult. On average, 25-30% of the teams drop out. 

“At the start of the race, there was a lot of excitement in the air. There was a lot of anticipation. “People look forward to this race all year,” she said. 

Winning the 24-hour race was team Checkpoint Zero, who came in around 7:30 a.m. Sunday.  Team members for this race included Paul Humphreys (Atlanta,Ga) Michele Hobson (Asheville, NC) Peter Jolles (Atlanta,GA). The rest of the team, Paul Cox, Jon Barker, Jennifer Rinderle, Allen McAdams and Julia Radmann all live in/around Atlanta.

Coming in second was WEDALI (We Eat Dust and Like It), followed by team ATP/CP0 for third and ImONPoint in fourth place.

“One of the most difficult aspects of this race was having to keep a very fast pace for the entire race, said Checkpoint Zero team captain, Peter Jolles. “Usually in an adventure race the teams will separate a little bit as the race goes on and teams will eventually slow down because they don't feel the pressure. In the staged format we had this year, the race stopped halfway through, all the teams were brought back together which sped everything up again. Even with the 6 hours of rest it was hard to start running after having gone all out for 8 hours previously. Luckily for the teams at the head of the pack the weather didn't play too much of a factor, when the thunderstorms started, we were already done with the first stage and were snug and dry in our tents. There were many teams that were still out on the course that endured three hours or more of severe lightning huddled wherever they could find shelter.” 

The Atomic Adventure race is like most adventure races, in that it combines biking, paddling, running, and navigation. What differs in every race is how those components are put together. “The physical aspect of the Atomic was dominated by mountain biking and paddling, with relatively less time on the feet.” 

The Atomic Adventure Race, presented by Fuji Bikes, is a two-day adventure race in the Amicalola Falls area of Dawsonville, Georgia. Racers ventured through Dawson Forest, which used to be host to a Cold War underground Air Force Base whose goal was to develop a nuclear-powered aircraft.  That explains the name Atomic Adventure Race. 

Teams traveled 40-60 miles biking on gravel and single-track roads, 15-25 miles paddling through moving and flat water and 15-30 miles walking or running on gravel, single track roads through mountain forests. 

The difficulty of these races is what draws people to them. “A lot of people just do it to get away from their everyday life,” Erion said. “People like to get out and have an adventure.”