July 2024 24-Hour Summer Challenge

6-Hour Bike/Trek Summer Challenge

Race Details

Join us for Gold Rush 2024 Summer Challenge Races -- the USARA Nationals qualifier 24-Hour Summer Challenge and a 6-Hour Bike/Trek race.

We are recommending that racers and family stay at Barrett Cove Recreation Camping area the night before the race. Other nearby campgrounds and lodging can be found here or here

24-Hour Summer Challenge

Male, Female and Co-Ed Teams of 2, 3 or 4 will cover nearly 50 miles in the Sierra Foothills via trekking, biking, paddling and more paddling using only a compass and a map to navigate from checkpoint to checkpoint in a Rogaine format. The team who finishes the race with the most points in the fastest time before course closes will be crowned our winner and get an automatic entry into the USARA 2024 Nationals.

All below events will take place at Barrett Cove Recreation Area, 3062 Barrett Cove Rd, Lake Don Pedro, CA 95329

  • July 26, 2024 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Registration

  • July 26, 2024 5:00 pm: Pre-race meeting

  • July 27, 2024 8:00 am: 24-Hour Race start

  • July 28, 2024 8:00 am: 24-Hour Course closes

  • July 28, 2024 10:00 am: 24-Hour Race awards

Your per person entry fee covers pre-race meeting dinner, race day course, kayak rental, spot tracker rental, post-race food, schwag and festivities. This is a USARA-sanctioned event, so all participants will be required to purchase either a 1-day USARA membership ($8) or an annual USARA membership ($35) and sign a USARA waiver. If you already have a current annual USARA membership that will cover the race period, please enter that number during registration.

We are offering a $50 discount for any racers who will be 25 or under on race day.

Note: Here at Gold Rush Adventure Racing, we don't want cost of the entry fee for a race to be a barrier to competing. We will have limited scholarships available for people for whom the entry fee would be a barrier. Please reach out to us to discuss your options.

Please see the Mandatory Gear list below for the list of gear required for all individuals and teams.

6-Hour Bike/Trek

Male, Female and Co-Ed Teams of 2, 3 or 4 participate in certain bike/trek loops which are part of the 24-Hour race in the Sierra Foothills using only a compass and a map to navigate from checkpoint to checkpoint in a Rogaine format.

Your per person entry fee covers race day course, post-race food and schwag. This is a USARA-sanctioned event, so all participants will be required to purchase either a 1-day USARA membership ($8) or an annual USARA membership ($35) and sign a USARA waiver. If you already have a current annual USARA membership that will cover the race period, please enter that number during registration.

Please see the Mandatory Gear list below for the list of gear required for all individuals and teams. (6-Hour participants do not need paddle gear.)


All below events will take place at Barrett Cove Recreation Area, 3062 Barrett Cove Rd, Lake Don Pedro, CA 95329

  • July 26, 2024 4:00 pm: Nav 101 session

  • July 26, 2024 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Registration

  • July 27, 2024 8:30a-9:00 am: Registration

  • July 27, 2024 9:00 am: 6-Hour Race start: Barrett Cove Recreation Area

  • July 27, 2024 3:00 pm: 6-Hour Race closes: Barrett Cove Recreation Area

Mandatory Gear

Individual (to be carried by each person at all times)

  • Race Bib (provided by race) 

  • Backpack with or without water bladder

  • Minimum 2L of water per person, recommend 3L 

  • Headlamp with extra batteries

  • Eye protection

  • Knife or multi tool

  • Long sleeve shirt (wool or synthetic) 

  • Wind and water resistant jacket

  • Fleece or light down sweater,

  • Whistle

  • Lighter

  • Emergency pace blanket

  • Survival mirror

  • Sunscreen

  • Lip balm with sun protection. SPF 15 minimum

  • Electrolyte replacement tabs

  • Enough food for the race leg you are on

Team (to be carried by each Team at all times)

  • Passport (Supplied by Gold Rush) 

  • Waterproof pouch for Passport (can be Ziploc bag)

  • Map (Supplied by Gold Rush)

  • Waterproof map bag

  • Small dry bag (to hold phone, camera, radio in wet areas)

  • Knife (one that can actually cut things, there may be a test)

  • Compass

  • Pen or pencil

  • Water filter or water treatment chemicals

  • Cell phone for emergency use only (to be sealed by Gold Rush)

  • SPOT tracker (to be provided and sealed by Gold Run)

  • Medical Kit: 

    • REQUIRED

    • Analgesic tablets (at least 2 per team member per day)

    • Antihistamine tablets (2 per team member)

    • Sterile 3' x 3" or 4" x 4" gauze pad (4 minimum)

    • Assorted band aids

    • Adhesive tape

    • Antiseptic wipes

    • Antibacterial cream

    • Blister dressing (enough to supply 2 teammates each day)

    • Needle

    • Tweezers

    • Safety pins (4)

    • Scissors or blade

    • Emergency cash or credit card

      SUGGESTED 

    • Antacid tablets

    • Decongestant tablets

    • Foot powder/lubricants for blister prevention

    • Antidiarrheals (i.e., Pepto Bismol or Imodium)

    • Disinfectant gel (i.e., Purell)

    • Antibiotic ointment 

    • Duct tape

    • Crazy Glue or similar

    • Ace wrap

Bike (to be carried by each Individual on all bike sections)

  • Helmet (Snell or ANSI-approved bicycle helmet)

  • Forward facing white light (Headlight acceptable): Lights that are bright enough to ride technical single track and enough batteries for 12 hours

  • Flashing red rear taillight

  • 2.3” tires or wider

  • Spare tube, patch kit

Bike (to be carried by at least one Team member on all bike sections)

  • Mandatory Bike Tool Kit:

    • Bike pump/CO2

    • Chain repair tool

    • Chain repair link (one for each type of chain on team's bikes)

    • Replacement inner tubes or tubeless tire repair kit

    • Bike multi-tool

    • Tire irons

Paddle (to be carried by each Individual on all paddle sections)

  • Pack raft (TBD)

  • Paddles

  • Coast Guard-approved PFD

  • Whistle, attached to PFD

  • Headlamp (waterproof)

Additional Recommended Gear items:

  • Hat

  • Bandanna or Froggie

  • Gloves for protection against brush (bring a spare pair for your gear box as the rock can be very abrasive)

  • Long pants or gaiters for protection against brush

  • Warm clothes - in case of bad weather. Temperatures in places on the course could reach freezing.

  • Hiking poles

  • Rotating Map Holder for mountain bike

PROHIBITED EQUIPMENT: any racer and their team who is found carrying any of the below items will be disqualified from the race immediately

  • Phone, excepting the phone sealed by Gold Rush

  • Communication devices, excepting the SPOT tracker sealed by Gold Rush

  • Maps other than those provided by Gold Rush (Gold Rush staff and volunteers may have road maps available but racing teams may not refer to them.)

  • Motorized equipment

  • Sails or kites during the paddling sections

  • GPS devices including wrist styles

  • Two-way radios

  • Firearms

  • Alcohol

  • Illegal substances

    NOTE: Race officials will do gear checks anytime during the race. Failing to comply may result in a time penalty.