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ace director profileIan Adamsonwww.ianadamson.comAWM: How long have you beenputting on adventure races?I started designing courses in 1998and directing multi-day internationalraces in 2000. Since then Ihave been course, race and or technicaldirector on over a dozen majormulti-day international racesand have put on over 50 multi-dayevents. I am currently the owner /producer of Newton 24 hours of triathlonand director of The Real DealChallenge and Terra Traverse.AWM: What made you want tostart hosting your own events?Since I retired from professionalracing last year, I have transitionedinto directing and producing a lotmore. This has actually been a longterm project of mine since 2000when I started working on my postracingcareer goals.AWM: What is your favorite eventthat you host and why?Newton 24 Hours of Triathlongives me a huge amount of satisfactionsince it is contained in astate park (easy logistics), has elementsof adventure racing – strategy,teamwork, camaraderie – andis a true cutting edge multi-sportevent. Adventure athletes do reallywell at the race, even with no triathlonspecific experience.Terra Traverse is exciting for mebecause it brings together all thebest elements of my experienceover the last eight years directingand 24 years of racing.AWM: What in your opinion makesyour event (s) unique?24 Hours of Triathlon is the onlyset time triathlon in the world (thatI know of) and the only 24 hour triathlon.Terra Traverse is unique in theamount of television coverage, theformat (journey expedition), andthe exceptional value (transfers,50% discount flights, meals, accommodation,prize money, coursedesign for all levels of ability)AWM: Do you still participate inadventure races? What was the lastadventure race you participated in?What was your first adventure racethat you participated in? How welldid you do?I don’t race at all now that I amretired. My last race was the 2006Adventure Race World Championshipsin Norway and Sweden (wewon.) My first race was a two-dayevent in Australia called WildTrekin 1984. The event included Nordicskiing, mountain bike (cycle crossin those days), orienteering, whitewater kayaking, road cycling andran until 2004. I came in 4th, then3rd and finally won in 1991 (myfirst win in an international race.)AWM: If you could participate inone of your adventure races, whichone would you choose and why?Hands down Expedition BVI – thiswas by far the most fun format (forme) and in the best location. Eachteam was given a 40 foot yacht andwe did a tour of beautiful resortsand wilderness in tropical paradisefor four days – sea kayaking,mountain bike, orienteering, scubadiving, ocean swimming, sailing,local skills (lots of fun party elements!)AWM: Contact info for yourorganization?www.24hour-events.comwww.terratraverse.comwww.ianadamson.comAdventure World Magazine is a GreenZine