PLEASE NOTE:  As you all know, we are living in uncertain times as a result of the COVID-19 virus. We continue to monitor the situation and the guidance from safety and health experts and officials and will make adjustments and updates, as appropriate.  Therefore, please note that information in this FAQ section, including though not necessarily limited to dates, are subject to change at any time.  We will provide adjustments, updates and additional information here, as appropriate, or to selected teams throughout the time leading up to the 2021 race.

While we continue to stay abreast of the global health situation, we are reserving two potential time periods for the race: one late February into early March, 2021 and the other in November, 2021.

The course is expected to be over 500km (or 310 miles) in length and will be open for approximately 10 days.

The race route will be described within the Expedition Guidebook which will be used in conjunction with the official race maps. The teams will be given the first section of the guidebook before the start of the race however, the entire course will not be disclosed at this point. The remaining sets of maps and guidebooks will be given to teams as they advance along the course.

The Patagonia race course may include sections of fixed ropes, trekking, glacier travel, horseback riding, mountain biking, kayaking and special challenges.

Unless otherwise stated or provided by the race organizer, all technology, like smartphones and GPS devices, are strictly prohibited.

Prize money will be announced at a later date.

Each race team must be made up of four competitors and must have at least one member of each gender. Each team must also have one assistant crew member who can be of any gender.

Each team must nominate a team captain.

Teams must race under a single country flag. Three out of four of the competitors on each team must be citizens (or continuous legal residents for a period of at least 5 years) of their designated country. The assistant crew member may be of any nationality.

The assistant crew member will provide all customary support services to their team, such as supplying competitors with fresh clothing, food, water and other supplies. The crew member must be prepared to maintain and organize all team equipment including mountain bikes and climbing gear.

During the race, the assistant crew member is responsible for driving their own crew vehicle between the designated camps on the course. They must set up their own camp and prepare their own meals.

More details to be provided at a later date

Applicants will be advised if there’s a registration fee once Patagonia race dates are determined.

8 weeks before the first day of onsite team registration, participants must be at least 18 years old or the legal age of adulthood in the country in which they reside, if the age of adulthood is older than 18.

Although it is definitely a race, the primary concern for each team must always be safety. At least two members per team must possess a current first aid certification from a registered training facility. One of these members must possess at minimum a 70-hour first responder course certification.

In addition to a team’s first aid certifications, Eco-Challenge also will provide blank certificates that must be completed and signed by qualified experts in their respective fields. These forms are intended to ensure that competitors have received training, and have competency, in certain skills that will be essential during the race. Certifications will include (and additional certifications may be added):

• Eco-Challenge Rappelling and Rope Ascending Certificate
• Eco-Challenge Kayaking and Swiftwater Certificate
• Eco-Challenge Navigation and Mountain Travel Certificate
• Eco-Challenge Horseback Riding Certificate

These forms and the guidelines that regulate them will be provided to selected teams after the team selection process.

All certifications for all four competitors MUST be completed and emailed to the Competitor Relations department no later than 8 weeks before the first day of onsite team registration, with the specific deadline to be supplied at a later date. More detail to be provided at a later date.

• Hotel accommodations: 2 rooms per team (3 nights before and 3 nights after the race).
• Limited repatriation insurance for all five team members.
• Medical assistance during the race when possible.
• Invitation (for all five team members) to the closing party.
• Transport of some team gear (including mountain bikes) along the course.
• The use of some race gear including:
  • Kayaks
  • Horses
  • Fixed ropes
  • Race maps
  • Expedition Guidebook (detailing the race route)
  • Eco-Challenge Passport (which must be signed at key checkpoints)
  • Satellite Tracking Device and Emergency Radio (or similar communication device)
  • Cellphone (for the assistant crew)

• Flights to and from Chile (Eco-Challenge is working on an airline deal and will keep teams updated along the way).
• All team race gear (which includes, among other items, four mountain bikes and four bike boxes per team), unless otherwise noted.
• Accommodations outside of what is already provided. Teams who finish early or withdraw must either camp at the finish line or procure their own hotel accommodations until the accommodations provided by Eco-Challenge begin.
• Assistance crew vehicle rental and all related items, including insurance and fuel.
• All food and meals.
• Gear boxes.
• Team uniforms.

Details related to a financial stipend (if any) will be provided at a later date.

Registration opens on August 15, 2020 at 07:00 Pacific Standard Time and closes on August 29, 2020 at 18:00 Pacific Standard Time.

Each team must designate a team captain.  The team captain will complete and submit the Competitor Registration Form (including information for the rest of the competitors and the assistant crew member) and agree to the Terms of Registration on behalf of the team.  (If all team members are not known during the time of registration you can still register.  You will able to add other team members at a later date.)

After submitting the Competitor Registration Form, the team will need to make a five to ten-minute long video as part of the registration process. YOUR SUBMISSION WILL NOT BE COMPLETE UNTIL WE RECEIVE THIS VIDEO.

Team Video Instructions can be downloaded here.

Please upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo as UNLISTED and email the link by August 29, 2020 to: comprel@ecochallenge.com

More details to be provided at a later date.