In adventure racing, a “dark zone” is a pause in the action—when darkness or safety concerns require teams to stop, regroup, and prepare for what lies ahead. It’s a time for swapping stories, building friendships, and renewing energy. Here at The Dark Zone, we aim to recreate that spirit through compelling stories and shared experiences. We’re thrilled to have you with us.
The Dark Zone Podcast exists to celebrate the sport and its community through three key goals:
- Support new racers by connecting them with the wisdom of seasoned adventurers.
- Preserve the sport’s history through conversations that capture its essence and evolution.
- Showcase events by giving race directors a platform to share their stories with the world.
Dive in, enjoy the journey, and make the most of your time in The Dark Zone. We’re glad you’re here.
Episode 149 – When It Clicked: The Wonky Donkeys and The Legend Adventure Race
Episode Link Here You’re listening to The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast, where we try to understand how adventure races really play out—over long distances, under fatigue, and within the relationships that make or break a team. Today’s episode is a conversation with Emily Panietz and Becca Lunnon, racing as The Wonky Donkeys, about their strong showing at The Legend Adventure Race in Tasmania. That result didn’t come out of nowhere. In earlier races, Emily and Becca struggled at times with communication and teamwork—misaligned expectations, moments of frustration, and the normal growing pains that come with learning how to race together. Those experiences didn’t end in easy results, but they did give them a clearer sense of what needed to change. At The Legend, that work showed. Over the course of a long, technical race, they communicated more clearly, managed decisions together, and stayed connected when things got difficult. Rather than trying to force the race, they settled into a rhythm that allowed them to move steadily and efficiently through the course. In this episode, we talk about that progression—what didn’t work early on, how they adjusted, and why The Legend felt like a genuinely strong race for them as teammates. It’s a conversation about learning, adapting, and how growth over time can turn into a result that feels earned. Shownotes: The Legend – https://www.legendexpd.com.au/ Sponsor Links: Nuataaq Carabiner Hydration Bottle – www.nuataaq.com Shenandoah Epic Adventure Race – https://www.adventureenablers.com/
Episode 148 – Slade Combs: Fear, Performance, and Adventure Racing
Episode Link Here In this episode of The Dark Zone, we sit down with Slade Combs, a performance coach who helps people understand, confront, and work through fear — not by eliminating it, but by learning how to carry it well. Whether you’re standing on a start line, staring down a scary race section, preparing…
Episode 147 – Where the Mountains Meet the Sea: ARWC Corsica 2026 Registration Open
Link Here In Episode 147, we step onto one of the most storied and demanding landscapes in European adventure racing. Flavie Bahuaud of Raid In France, joins TDZ to pull back the curtain on the 2026 Adventure Racing World Championship, coming to Corsica in September 2026. This isn’t just another host venue—it’s an island defined…
Episode 146 – Into the Spine of Mexico — La Ruta Madre with Joel, Una and Zach
Episode Link On this extended episode of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast, we head into the rugged heart of Monterrey, Mexico, home of La Ruta Madre—a race that blends blistering heat, steep technical terrain, cultural immersion, and the kind of navigational complexity that defines true expedition racing. Our guests—Una, Joel, and Zach—join TDZ…
Episode 145 – The Long Way North: Tyler Stancill’s Eastern Divide Ride
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dark-zone-an-adventure-racing-podcast/id1578529221?i=1000735020275 In this episode of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast, we shift gears—literally and figuratively—to explore a different kind of endurance adventure. Our guest is Tyler Stancill, a passionate bikepacker who pedaled more than 6,000 miles from Key West, Florida to Newfoundland, Canada along the newly established Eastern Divide Trail. His journey captures…
Episode 144 – John Karlsson – SAFAT Team Captain, 3X World Champion, and Aspiring Golfer
Episode Link Here In this episode of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast, host Brian Gatens welcomes John Karlsson, captain of Team SAFAT, the reigning Adventure Racing World Champions. Known for their precision, discipline, and calm under pressure, SAFAT has come to define the standard of excellence in expedition racing. John shares his introduction…
A 5-Minute TDZ Update (And An Invitation for World Champs Voice Memos!)
Episode Link Here Happy October, TDZ Nation Here is a quick 5-minute update following the Adventure Racing World Series AR World Championship in Penticton, British Columbia. TDZ was onsite to help with media, and the race was quite the ride. Per the episode, everyone involved in the race – racers, supporters, volunteers, family, media, EVERYONE…
Course Reveal: Subaru Canada Adventure Racing World Championship 2025
Link Here Welcome to a special episode of The Course Reveal Podcast, a companion show to The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast. Today, we turn our attention to the 2025 Subaru Canada Adventure Racing World Championship, where the best teams on the planet will converge in Penticton, British Columbia, to chase the ultimate prize…
Episode 143: A Podcast Crossover – Course Reveal: USARA National Championship 2025
Episode Link here Welcome to The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast. From time to time, we like to support our companion podcast, The Course Reveal, by crossposting special episodes. ———————————————————– Welcome to a special episode of The Course Reveal Podcast. Today, we turn our attention to the 2025 United States Adventure Racing National Championship,…
Episode 142 – Course Reveal: Endurance Quest Saimaa ARWS European Championship
Episode Link – Here Welcome to the Course Reveal Podcast. Join Course Director Lauri Hollo as he breaks down each stage of Endurance Quest Saimaa. As the Adventure Racing European Championship, this race will bring 60 teams from 12 countries to the Savonlinna region of Finland, and winners will earn a coveted spot at the…
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The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast 