Adventure racing is a sport that has become really popular in the last couple of years. As much as we like to think we’re mountain bikers through and through, we must admit to a spot of occasional running through the winter, and adventure races are an exciting challenge if you’re looking to try something new.

Event organisers Open Adventure have just announced the five dates for their Open 5 Series, 5-hour races in which you must dash to as many checkpoints as you can on your mountain biking and on foot. Checkpoints mean points and more points means prizes.

Each Open5 event has five entry categories; 2 solo categories (Male and Female) and 3 pairs categories (Male, Female and Mixed). For those looking to get a series placing, ranking will be based on the top 3 scores from any of the five events. You do not have to register for the series. To win a series prize in a pairs category, the pair must remain the same for at least 3 of the events in the series.

Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each category at each event and at the final event for the series. Also for this year Mountain Hardwear are offering £500 in kit to the highest scoring solo or pair over all five events.

The cost of the event is £25 per person, Entries on the day are accepted for an extra £7. Pre-entries will close at midnight on the Thursday before the event.

2010/11 Mountain Hardwear Open5 events:

• Forest of Bowland 7th November
• North York Moors 5th December
• Northern Dales 6th February
• Peak District 6th March
• Lake District 3rd April

More info at www.openadventure.com