Friday, November 29, 2024 Teams from 26 countries have converged on Cuenca, Ecuador, to compete in the prestigious Imptek Huairasinchi race, marking the 20th Adventure Racing World Championship. This race, commencing on November 30th, is distinguished by its name derived from the Kichwa term “strength of the wind,” and is renowned as the longest-standing event in the Adventure Racing World Series. Since its inception in 2003, each edition of the race has ventured into a new uncharted area of Ecuador, managed by Proyecto Aventura.
Notably, Huairasinchi previously hosted the World Championship in 2014, gaining fame when a Swedish team during the event adopted a stray dog named Arthur. This heartwarming tale was later depicted in the 2024 film “Arthur the King,” starring Mark Wahlberg. This year, Huairasinchi rejoins the select group of races that have hosted the World Championship more than once.
Cuenca, the host city, offers an ideal backdrop for this expedition race, surrounded by a diverse landscape that blends Andean and Amazonian terrains. Competing teams, comprising four mixed-gender participants, will tackle a grueling 558km course that includes trekking, mountain biking, and pack-rafting. They will race continuously over 4-6 days, navigating independently throughout.
This event also represents the culmination of the 2024 Adventure Racing World Series, which saw more than 70 races globally, including 12 Qualifier expedition races across continents. The kickoff ev.