The bike riding bit happens later on

ACE Races represent the accessible end of the adventure race spectrum. You don’t need a fortnight off work, to be a qualified sea kayaker or be able to rig a belay with your eyes shut. But that doesn’t mean that they’re necessarily easy – the one-day run/ride/”special challenge” format makes for fast and furious racing.

The first race of the 2004 series took place at the weekend, with 200 competitors lining up at Birches Valley Forest Centre in Cannock Chase. It’s a team event, with mixed teams of three heading for checkpoints by bike or on foot and taking part in the four team work-testing challenges (leading a blindfolded member through the forest, carrying one team member on a plank, that kind of thing).

The time limit is five hours, and you choose how many checkpoints and challenges you take on – only 14 teams managed all of them. Fastest was Team Peel Adventure in just 3:10:08, with Team Mawn Y Wrach 12 minutes back.

Fancy a go? Round Two is at Ashdown Forest, Sussex on June 26, with the final at Bracknell on August 21. More details at www.aceraces.com.