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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
Rootstock Racing
Legend Expedition Race
Vermont
Cold Weather Racing
USARA
Mountain Designs Wild Women
Ecuador
Expedition Oregon
Women In Adventure Sports
Eco Challenge
Women Of AR
Teamwork
Fear Management
USARA National 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)

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes181Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Sports

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast

Latest Episodes

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

In this, the final episode, official standings, returning to real life, and holding on to the magic of the a... more

YouTube

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, strategic route decisions, the field stretches to the max, and stre... more

YouTube

Therapist, ultra runner, and race director Allison Marinucci joins the show for a conversation that starts with endurance and goes somewhere deeper. Allison traces her path from Couch to 5K, through COVID-era backyard ultras, to a double hip replacem... more

YouTube

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, the first sleep, the cliff jump, and the race starts to take its to... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Allison Marinucci
Ultra runner, therapist, and race director of Serenity on the Trails
Serenity on the Trails, NYRA
Episode: TDZ 165 - Allison Marinucci: Racing, Loss, and the Work of Recovery
Nathan Fa'avae
Adventure racer and founder/leader involved with Yukon 1000 project
Independent racer/New Zealand endurance community
Episode: TDZ 163 - Nathan Fa’avae Returns, Bound for the Yukon 1000
Bob Workman
Owner of Old School Bagels Bakery and Cafe in Fairhaven
Old School Bagels Bakery and Cafe
Episode: TDZ 162 - The Endless Mountains Podcast, Episode 3: Out of the Frying-Pan, Into the Fire
Kirsten Oliver
Adventure photographer
Self-employed / Freelance photographer
Episode: TDZ 162 - The Endless Mountains Podcast, Episode 3: Out of the Frying-Pan, Into the Fire
Val Nordquist
Racer preparing for Endless Mountains, participant in Rootstock Racing
Rootstock Racing
Episode: TDZ 161 - The Endless Mountains Podcast, Episode 2: The Ring Goes South
Shane Hagerman
Racer
Unspecified team
Episode: TDZ 161 - The Endless Mountains Podcast, Episode 2: The Ring Goes South
Una Hall
Racer
Mercators
Episode: TDZ 161 - The Endless Mountains Podcast, Episode 2: The Ring Goes South
Scott Cox
Racer
Mercators
Episode: TDZ 161 - The Endless Mountains Podcast, Episode 2: The Ring Goes South
David Gravener
Racer
Mercators
Episode: TDZ 161 - The Endless Mountains Podcast, Episode 2: The Ring Goes South

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.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

TDZ 157 - Team Overconfident and Undertrained: Overdelivering on Fun
Q: How did you discover adventure racing and what drew you to it?
We were seeing ads for races and were curious but nervous; eventually we decided to try it, started with gravel bikes, then progressed as we fell in love with the sport.
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.

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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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. The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman
4. Climbing Gold
5. Trail Runner Nation

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 181 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. Allison Marinucci
2. Nathan Fa'avae
3. Bob Workman
4. Kirsten Oliver
5. Val Nordquist
6. Shane Hagerman
7. Una Hall
8. Scott Cox

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