Challenge the Shield Adventure Run
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
Challenge the Shield Adventure Run
Challenge the Shield is an adventure running weekend in Parry Sound, Ontario, held at the Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre on May 1-2, 2027.
The main event is a points-based adventure run for teams of two. Teams decide how many of 36 checkpoints to visit across terrain including pines, lakes and granite rock. Each checkpoint has a difficulty rating and point value, so teams choose their own route and strategy rather than following a fixed course.
Race distances and points
- 6-hour Adventure Run - Up to 36 checkpoints; about 35 km; maximum 2,500 points.
- 3-hour Adventure Run - Up to 20 checkpoints; about 17.5 km; maximum 1,250 points.
Participants in the 3-hour race may opt to use a GPS map app for navigation. Separate entry categories are listed for each race duration, including Coed, Male, Female, Masters for the 6-hour event, and Open, Juniors, Family for the 3-hour event (age rules apply).
Awards include a traveling mascot trophy for the overall coed winners, category prizes, and CTS points-challenge stickers: Gold for 2,000 points, Silver for 1,500, and Bronze for 1,000. Teams that achieve exactly 2,500 points receive a special recognition as having completed the navigation maximum.
Entry is by team (two persons), with an overall cap of 100 teams; Family teams may include two to four members. The entry fee covers taxes, two copies of customized race maps, host site day-use fees, customized race swag, participation stickers, a post-race pizza per team, and a 2027 Parry Sound membership for race insurance. Fee levels and registration deadlines are provided for Early, Regular and Late periods, with discounts for eligible members. An event guide, rules and required-gear list will be issued before the race.
An optional training day and a Team Canada Orienteering Challenge take place on the preceding day, offering a one-hour training course (~5 km) and a point-to-point advanced navigation course (~5 km) using sport-ident timing; a separate training fee applies. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.