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Pocket Gopher Extreme

POCKET GOPHER EXTREME

Welcome, Adventure Racers. We at Howling Adventurer LLC are excited to announce the Pocket Gopher Extreme will return in 2026 for its sixth year.

The Pocket Gopher Extreme is a 56HR (150-250km) race with a winner expected time of 48hrs, and features a full lineup of challenging disciplines. Teams can expect rugged mountain biking, tough paddling, and some of the most challenging orienteering in Minnesota. We are also planning to add climbing and abseiling, pending permits. There will be a new twist to the course this year that will make teams rethink their strategies.

Teams of 2, 3, or 4 and soloists are welcome. Soloists the PGE is the only expedition adventure race in the world that welcomes solo racers. We understand some racers want the solo experience and we will never deny a soloist on our course.

The PGE is both an ARWS North America Regional Race and a USARA-sanctioned race taking place near Nerstrand, MN USA 17-19 July 2026

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(Starting Cash Prize is 500.00$ USD) 
 The Largest Cash Money Prize in Adventure Racing (USA) and it may continue to grow. 

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IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Accommodations and Travel

Accommodations

Camping

Primitive Camping is available for free at the start line. We will have drinking water and porta potties available, but electric is not available

Hotels

  • The cities of Northfield. Faribault, Red Wing, Minneapolis and St Paul all offer a variety of hotel and Air BnBs

Air Travel

  • MSP Airport is the closet airport

* Contact RD if you need assistance getting from MSP to your lodging

PackRaft

Teams will be responsible for providing their own Packraft, PFD and paddle. There are max two people to a Packraft. Teams of 3 or 4 will need to use 2 packrafts

There are several options to make this more affordable.

  • Racers can search around with other adventure racers and see if you can borrow a packraft.
  • Racers can rent one. There are a few national rental companies but most of my racers rented from Backcountry Packraft Rentals LLC
  • Another really affordable alternative is to buy an Interlex Blowup Kayak. You can find that at a variety of locations like the example shown here

* Howling Adventurer LLC does not receive any compensation for any of the above suggestions. They are provided to assist teams in finding a suitable packraft.
** While the Interlex Blowup Kayak is an acceptable alternative for the PGE it is not acceptable for most full length expedition race

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Bike Boxes

Race Teams are responsible for providing their own bike boxes for the PGE. Only one bike per box. The PGE will follow the guidlines for bike boxes. Bike Box – Max dimensions 140cm x 80cm x 30cm, max weight 30kg.

Just like the packrafts there we have some options that will make it easier for you to find a bike box

  • The best way but most expensive is to buy a bike box that is meets the above dimensions but that is the most expensive
  • Another option is to go to your local bike shop and ask if they have any leftover boxes from new bikes. Most bike stores will gladly give them to you free of charge. If they are not exact dimension that is ok for the PGE as long as they are close
  • Another Alternative is to make your own. A few teams did this with great success at last year’s PGE and this allows you to customize your bike. There are several YouTube videos with instructions.

* As stated above if your bike boxes are a couple of centimeters off that is ok but we will adhere tightly to the 30kg rule (approx 66lbs)

48Hr Gear List

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