Adventure racing consists of a combination of two or more sports, including orienteering and navigation, cross-country running, mountain biking, paddling and climbing and related rope skills.

There are five lengths that and adventure race can last for. Sprint usually lasts a few hours, endurance race lasts for to twelve hours, 24-hour race lasts twelve to thirty-six hours, multi-day race lasts thirty-six hours to for days, and an expiations lasts to twelve days.

While adventure racing can be a combination of any sports, most events usually include trail running, mountain biking, and a paddle boating event.

The rules of adventure racing vary, common rules are no moisturized travel, no outside assistance, and team must carry all gear.

Racers are required to locate a checkpoints, usually in a specific order. At each checkpoint, racers are required to have their passports stamped, by using a specialized punch left at the checkpoint.

Most races include one or more transition areas that teams can visit to replenish supplies.

Virtually all adventure races feature mandatory gear that must be carried during part or all of the race. Races will often include mandatory gear checks by race personnel and harsh penalties or disqualification may result if a team lacks requisite equipment.

Most adventure races are team events, however some are individual events.