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.
TDZ 174 – Jesse Tubb Returns: The Magnificent, Teamwork, and Growth
Episode Link Here Originally recorded in March 2026, Jesse Tubb returns to the Dark Zone after racing The MAGNIficent in New Zealand with Team 4Hour Fuel: Dan Staudigel, Lars Bukkehave, and Stephanie Green. Four experienced racers came together for a six-and-a-half-day expedition, and Jesse reflects on what that taught him. He talks about the conversations…
TDZ 173 – Electric Mayhem at ARWC Corsica: Team Above All
Episode Link Here Team Electric Mayhem joins TDZ for their first full look back at the Adventure Racing World Championship in Corsica. They talk about adapting early in a race that didn’t go to plan, navigating unfamiliar maps, and joining up with a fellow team for the second half of the course. They also share…
The Course Reveal Podcast – 2026 USARA National Championships
Episode Link Here This is a special Course Reveal episode of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast, recorded the week before the 2026 USARA Adventure Racing National Championships in Oregon. Race directors Jason Magness and Darren Steinbach of Bend Racing walk us through the 32-hour course they built in beautiful mountains of Oregon. Teams…
The Course Reveal Podcast – ARWC 2026 Adventure Racing World Championship
Episode Link Here This is a special Course Reveal episode of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast, released just as the 2026 Adventure Racing World Championships get underway in Corsica. Nancy Bahuaud of Raid in France joins us to walk through the course she and her husband Pascal built: 505 kilometers and twelve stages…
TDZ 172 – Luke Jansen & Silas Jones: The First Junior Adventure Racing World Champions
Episode Link Here Racing as Black Diamond NZ, Luke Jansen and Silas Jones of New Zealand traveled to Canada and became the first Junior Adventure Racing World Champions. In this episode, they recount a childhood of hut trips, orienteering before their teens, and cycling the vertical height of Everest for the fun of it. All…
TDZ 171 – Champion Racer Rachel Nolan: The Queen of Rocking Up And Racing Steady
Episode Link Here Rachel Nolan is back on the show FOUR YEARS (We can’t believe it either!) after her first visit on Episode #35, and it’s great to have her join us. In July 2026 she won PC12 in Colombia with Vidaraid, her first race with the team. Rachel and Brian also get into how…
TDZ 170 – 2026 ARWS European Championships – RD Lars Bukkehave on Crafting Denmark’s Beautiful and Challenging Course
Episode Link Here Just days before the ARWS European Championship Montane Adventure Race, race director Lars Bukkehave sits down with TDZ to explain the 48-hour course that he built. Showcasing the beauty and challenge of Denmark, the race runs 19 stages including a sea cliff where you can still see the black clay layer left…
TDZ 169 — New Zealand’s Louie Burger: 18 Years Old and Four Expedition Races Deep
Episode Link Here New Zealand’s Louie Burger is 18. He’s also four expedition races deep, including a run at the iconic Godzone. He got there by way of one of the country’s strongest school adventure racing programs, a last-minute addition to a team at The Magnificient, dedicated training and teamwork, and a lot of very…
TDZ 167 – The Endless Mountains Podcast, Episode 6: Slaying Dragons
Episode Link Here 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. Shownotes: The Endless Mountains Adventure Race – www.endlessmountainsar.com Rootstock Racing – www.rootstockracing.com
TDZ 166 – The Endless Mountains Podcast, Episode 5: A Warm Welcome
Episode Link Here 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. Shownotes: The Endless Mountains Adventure Race – www.endlessmountainsar.com Rootstock Racing – www.rootstockracing.com
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