Off the Beaten Path: Adventure Race Coming to Iowa's Driftless Region

Your support keeps truth alive in Decorah—donate to local news today! STRAWBERRY POINT, Iowa —Camp Ewalu is many things to many people: a place for Bible camp, horseback riding, a first overnight away from home, and certainly a venue for making new friends. But this year, on Oct. 4, 2025, Camp Ewalu will also be home to the inaugural Wild Driftless Adventure Race—a multifaceted event that requires teamwork, endurance and, well, an adventuresome spirit. The event will consist of trekking (hiking or running), paddling (canoe or kayak), and mountain biking. Teams of up to four people will receive maps two hours before the start and will use nothing but that map and a compass to navigate to checkpoints and complete the route. Ewalu Executive Director Frank Johnson expects the WDAR to be an all-day event that builds community through a "shared experience with friends doing something difficult and meaningful together." Johnson, who has served as executive director for the past three and a half years, says he continues to be in awe of the beauty of northeastern Iowa. Part of the race's goal is to help people see a side of the region they might not otherwise experience. "Adventure racing is about exploring beautiful places and leaving the well-worn path behind," Johnson said. To ensure teams stay on the right path, Johnson will set up checkpoints along the route — and those checkpoints are part of the challenge. "The checkpoints are often hundreds of yards from any trail, off in the middle of the woods on some notable feature that few people ever see," Johnson said. "Teams will have to scramble up steep slopes and wade through cold-water trout streams; they'll find checkpoints in caves and on rocky outcrops high above those Driftless rivers." Indeed, it will be a lot of work—but the rewarding kind, the kind that "creates bonds and endless stories to share." In addition to trekking, biking and paddling, checkpoints will include optional guided rappelling, archery and puzzles. It promises to be an all-encompassing experience. After this year's race in Strawberry Point, Johnson is excited to explore other areas. "The plan is to move the WDAR around Iowa's Driftless region each year," he said. "So, while the 2025 race is in the Strawberry Point area, we are excited at the prospect of hosting the event in different locations and showing off all the amazing parks and rivers of the region. Our 2026 race host will be revealed at the 2025 race." If all of this sounds like way too much work, fear not, says Johnson. While the all-day race is for those seeking a full-day challenge, there's also a shorter option designed with accessibility in mind. "Wild Driftless Lite," Johnson said, "is four hours and is designed to be more accessible to first-time adventure racers, families and folks who are just curious about the sport." If you're curious to know how to register, or if you just want more information on what will prove to be a challenging and unforgettable event, you can visit the race webpage. Feed your curiosity! Subscribe to the free newsletter and indulge in all that's local. Your friends will be impressed.