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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)

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes169Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Sports

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast

Latest Episodes

Returning guest Marina LeGree, Executive Director of Ascend Athletics, is always a delight to have on The Dark Zone. In this episode, we discuss her introduction to adventure racing, the parallels between Ascend and AR, and how her family is again re... more

YouTube

Before we get into the race and event updates, we take a moment to remember TDZ Guest #2 Shelley Johannesson. Her loss has been a tremendous blow for our community, and TDZ wanted to join the community in honoring her and who she was.

We then turn ... more

YouTube

Kevin Tucker didn't find adventure racing through a slick marketing campaign or a friend with a team slot. He found it because famed RD Grant Killian left the door open to Untamed New England. Now, fourteen years later, Tucker is doing the same thing... more

YouTube

What do adventure racing and ultra cycling have in common? More than you think.

This week on The Dark Zone, Brian sits down with David Ayre of Lost Dot — the organization behind some of the world's most demanding ultra cycling events. What starts as... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Contact Information
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Recent Guests

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
Em Panietz
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 121 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
#191
Denmark/Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Episode 150 - Dan Brannen: Endurance Legend and The Best First Teammate A Guy Could Ask For
Q: Do you think that if he didn't enter your life, you would not have been on the path that you've been on all these years?
Dan reflects that it's questionable whether he would have been on the same path without the influence of his significant coaches.

Audience Metrics

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

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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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1. The thisABILITY Adventures Podcast
2. The Bend Racing Podcast
3. The Peter Attia Drive
4. Hit Play Not Pause
5. The Trailhead

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 169 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. Marina LeGree
2. Kevin Tucker
3. David Ayre
4. Greg Callas
5. Kate White
6. Cliff White
7. Dan Brannen
8. Becca Lunnon

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