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Artwork for The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast

The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast

Brian Gatens
Adventure Racing
Endless Mountains Adventure Race
Team Dynamics
Ascend Athletics
Adventure Racing World Series
Navigation
Legend Expedition Race
Vermont
Cold Weather Racing
USARA
Mountain Designs Wild Women
Ecuador
Expedition Oregon
Eco Challenge
Women In Adventure Sports
Teamwork
Women Of AR
Fear Management
USARA National Championship
ARWS North American Championship

The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast welcomes you to our world. Come hear from racers, race directors, fans of AR, and everyone in between. The podcast's out there, you pick it up, it's yours, you don't, I got no sympathy for you. (as inspired by Glengarry Glenn Ross)

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes174Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Sports

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast

Latest Episodes

For the next two weeks, Rootstock Racing is taking over the Dark Zone feed, offering a limited series podcast chronicling the 2026 Endless Mountains Adventure Race.

In this episode, teams talk preparation, goals, and the blurry lines between adventu... more

For the next two weeks, Rootstock Racing is taking over the Dark Zone feed, offering a limited series podcast chronicling the 2026 Endless Mountains Adventure Race.

In case you missed it, this is a rebroadcast of the teaser. Listen here for Episode ... more

We love it when race directors send teams our way, and that's what RD Mark Lattanzi did in 2025 following his three-day The Cerberus Expedition Stage Race. Three-person team, One Degree Racing, tackled the course and stood out for their enthusiasm, h... more

Twin sisters Jennifer Robertson and Jamie Miller of Team Overconfident and Undertrained join TDZ to talk about the greatest team name in adventure racing. Based in Oklahoma, Jennifer and Jamie discovered adventure racing two and a half years ago and ... more

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Recent Guests

Adam Rose
AR on AR YouTube personality, race observer
Beacon AR (team)
Episode: TDZ 156 - Adam Rose: Bimbache Morocco: A Rough Race, A Grand Adventure
Marina LeGree
Executive Director of Ascend Athletics
Ascend Athletics
Episode: TDZ 155 - Adventure Racer Marina LeGree of Ascend Athletics and Her 134 Teammates
Kevin Tucker
Race director for 3ROC Adventure Racing
3ROC Adventure Racing
Episode: TDZ 154 - Welcome to the Other Pitt: 3ROC's Pay What You Want AR in Pittsburgh
David Ayre
Founder/CEO of Lost Dot Races
Lost Dot
Episode: TDZ 153 — Same DNA, Different Discipline: Ultra Cycling Comes to The Dark Zone
Greg Callas
Leader of Gold Rush Adventure Racing, a California nonprofit
Gold Rush Adventure Racing
Episode: TDZ 152 - Greg Callas: A California AR Gold Rush and Growing the Sport Out West
Kate White
Co-founder of Strong Machine Adventure Racing
Strong Machine Adventure Racing
Episode: TDZ 151 - Kate and Cliff White: Building an AR Strong Machine in New England
Cliff White
Co-founder of Strong Machine Adventure Racing
Strong Machine Adventure Racing
Episode: TDZ 151 - Kate and Cliff White: Building an AR Strong Machine in New England
Dan Brannen
Adventure racing legend and ultra runner
Episode: Episode 150 - Dan Brannen: Endurance Legend and The Best First Teammate A Guy Could Ask For
Becca Lunnon
Adventure racer and member of 'Wonky Donkeys'
Episode: Episode 149 - When It Clicked: The Wonky Donkeys and The Legend Adventure Race

Host

Brian Gatens
Host of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast; focuses on race direction, course design, and AR community-building.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 122 ratings
  • I've learned so much from this podcast. Real people and real experiences. Keep it up!

    Audible
    5
    Carol M Abrahamzon
    United Statesa year ago
  • Real experiences

    I've learned so much from this podcast. Real people and real experiences. Keep it up!

    Audible
    5
    Carol M Abrahamzon
    United Statesa year ago
  • Amazing

    Great podcast! Thanks for sharing amazing experience and thrilling stories!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    a.gorodynets
    Ukraine2 years ago
  • I have dome multiple, small, individual races with the goal to be a productive part of a team. this is the guidance and direction I need. Thank you!

    Audible
    5
    Matt Humlicek
    United States2 years ago
  • perfect intro

    I have dome multiple, small, individual races with the goal to be a productive part of a team. this is the guidance and direction I need. Thank you!

    Audible
    5
    Matt Humlicek
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Hosts are consistently knowledgeable and genuinely curious, making conversations engaging and practical for listeners.
Content is accessible to beginners while still offering depth for seasoned racers and organizers.
The host maintains a thoughtful balance between technical insights and stories that motivate new and veteran AR fans.
Guests bring diverse expertise, from race design to athlete development, enriching episodes with real-world takeaways.
Listeners praise community focus and actionable tips, though some desire more race-directing content and failures-focused stories.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#131
Ukraine/Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

TDZ 156 - Adam Rose: Bimbache Morocco: A Rough Race, A Grand Adventure
Q: Before we get to the race, how was your transfer to the race site?
Adam describes a mostly smooth transfer with all teammates arriving around the same time except for one member who had to travel separately; overall, travel was straightforward, though there were logistical snags and a few travel detours that are common in big AR events.
TDZ 153 — Same DNA, Different Discipline: Ultra Cycling Comes to The Dark Zone
Q: How do you balance accessibility with maintaining the sport's integrity?
They balance by creating gateway experiences like the Lost Dot 101, maintaining demanding routes, strict self-sufficiency rules, and thoughtful pacing with time cuts, while ensuring quality and sustainability so the sport remains challenging yet accessible to a broader audience.
TDZ 153 — Same DNA, Different Discipline: Ultra Cycling Comes to The Dark Zone
Q: Why do you do it and shepherd these races?
The driving force is the people and the sense of community—the opportunity to meet wonderful, driven individuals, witness their journeys, and help them push beyond what they thought possible. The work is about preserving Mike Hall's legacy while growing the movement responsibly and maintaining the sport's core ethos.
TDZ 153 — Same DNA, Different Discipline: Ultra Cycling Comes to The Dark Zone
Q: What is Lost Dot and what kind of races do you put out?
Lost Dot operates four ultra-cycling events across Europe, with the flagship Transcontinental Race being the most established. They also host the Transpyrenees, the Accurse (a 1600 km mountain-bike route), and the Lost Dot 101, a gateway race created to bring more women, trans, and non-binary riders into the sport.
Episode 150 - Dan Brannen: Endurance Legend and The Best First Teammate A Guy Could Ask For
Q: When you look at the marathon of the Ultra Run of the Adventure Racer, what do you see in them as a racer that you most respect?
Dan highlights the importance of persistence, patience, and perseverance as qualities he most respects in racers.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep-dive, community-focused look at adventure racing, race direction, course design, and the sport's ecosystems from racers and organizers around the world. Episodes frequently cover race formats (short to multi-day), permitting, logistics, community engagement, and the evolving role of sponsors and media in endurance events. Noteworthy are candid discussions with race directors shaping urban and remote courses, mentorship programs for new racers, and a strong emphasis on accessibility, safety, and local partnerships. The show stands out for its hands-on insights into organizing, designing compelling courses, and fostering a tight-knit AR community, making it valuable for prospective guests, sponsors, and PR teams aiming to reach dedicat... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The thisABILITY Adventures Podcast
2. The Bend Racing Podcast
3. Adventure Sports Podcast
4. Two Percent with Michael Easter
5. The Ready State Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 174 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Adam Rose
2. Marina LeGree
3. Kevin Tucker
4. David Ayre
5. Greg Callas
6. Kate White
7. Cliff White
8. Dan Brannen

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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