Cuenca, Ecuador, is abuzz with excitement as it prepares to host the 20th Adventure Racing World Championship (ARWC), the prestigious Huairasinchi race. From November 30th, twenty-six international teams representing countries across the globe will converge on this vibrant city nestled amidst the breathtaking Andean and Amazonian landscapes, ready to battle it out in a race that promises to be both grueling and unforgettable.
This year’s Huairasinchi, meaning “strength of the wind” in Kichwa, marks a significant milestone in adventure racing history. Organised by Proyecto Aventura, this iconic race, part of the Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS), has built a reputation for its challenging courses and diverse locations, each year exploring a new, uncharted corner of Ecuador. Its legacy includes the heartwarming tale of Arthur, a stray dog adopted by a Swedish team during the 2014 World Championship, a story immortalised in the 2024 film “Arthur the King” starring Mark Wahlberg. This is the second time Huairasinchi has hosted the World Championship, firmly establishing its position among the world’s most demanding and respected adventure races.
The 558km course, designed to push even the most elite athletes to their limits, will take competitors on a relentless journey across varied and challenging terrains. Teams, each comprised of four mixed-gender participants, will tackle a demanding mix of trekking, mountain biking, and pack-rafting across 4-6 days of continuous racing. Navigation will be entirely self-reliant, underscoring the importance of teamwork, strategy, and endurance. The race starts from a secret location revealed only during the pre-race briefing on November 29th, adding an extra layer of intrigue and challenge. Only teams that finish intact will be ranked, with the champions expected to cross the finish line by December 4th. However, the unpredictable weather conditions of the region could certainly impact timing.
The build-up to the race has been filled with anticipation and excitement. The opening ceremony in Cuenca included inspiring speeches from Jota Lloret of the Prefectura del Azuay and Dominique Baquero of the Municipality of Cuenca, the unveiling of a special race bib, and words from Camila Nicolau of Team Brazil Multisport – currently ranked second globally – representing the competitors. Race Director Santiago Lopez highlighted the uniqueness of the course: “Teams will experience an incredible mix of biodiversity, cultures, and landscapes on their journey. The diversity of the area will offer a unique and immersive experience in tropical jungle, pristine rivers, amazing highlands and more. The racers will have an epic experience with lots of wildlife, views, terrain and some very different weather conditions along the course.”
The competition is expected to be fierce. Among the favorites are Team Brazil Multisport, alongside the reigning champions, the Swedish Armed Forces Adventure Team, aiming for their third World Championship title. They will face stiff opposition from the top 10 global teams, including Life Adventure Imptek, the highest-ranked Ecuadorian team. ARWS CEO Heidi Muller expressed her enthusiasm at the opening press conference, praising the city and Huairasinchi for hosting the event and highlighting the unique opportunity it provides to experience the beauty of Ecuador. She also emphasized the commitment to sharing the racers’ stories with the world through a dedicated media team, despite the challenging conditions and limited media access to the competing teams during the race itself.
The Huairasinchi 2024 promises to be a spectacle of endurance, skill, and teamwork. Fans can follow the action live via satellite tracking on various social media platforms using #Huairasinchi and #ARWorldseries, witnessing firsthand the incredible challenges and triumphs of these extraordinary athletes as they battle for the ultimate title of Adventure Racing World Champions.
