About Us

Discover Gold Rush Adventure Racing, a Modesto-based organization that has thrived in one of California's premier outdoor arenas for more than two decades. We're a small-but-mighty team of outdoor enthusiasts and athletes united by a love of adventure and the great outdoors in the mountains and foothills of California’s Sierras.

Our Story

Founded in 2000 in Modesto, California, Gold Rush Adventure Racing has remained a steadfast pioneer in the world of adventure racing. We're not just an organization — we’re a community united by a shared passion for pushing limits, embracing challenges and experiencing the thrill of outdoor exploration.

Our journey began with a small group of adventure racing enthusiasts who were committed to helping the sport of adventure racing thrive. With a combined team experience of more than 100 years, we've ventured through the most rugged terrains and embarked on countless expeditions, crafting our legacy as one of the most experienced adventure racing teams in the nation. We are known for spectacular courses set in the world class terrain of Northern California. Our past races have been part of the Adventure Racing World Series, USARA National Championship qualifiers and as the North American Championship event.

Gold Rush Team

Gold Rush is made up of California-based adventure racers and ultrarunners who have competed in hundreds of long-distance races around the world. Members have competed successfully in Eco Challenges, Raid Gauloises, Extreme Games, 100-mile foot races, 24-hour races, marathons, triathlons and mountaineering expeditions.

  • Adrian "Ados" Crane


    Chairman, Board of Directors
    FOUNDER

  • Mark Richardson

    Vice-President, Board of Directors
    COURSE DESIGNER

  • Catherine Conrad-Saydah

    President, Board of Directors
    RACE DIRECTOR

  • Deborah Steinberg


    Director, Board of Directors
    GRAPHICS GURU

  • Tom Proulx

    Secretary/Treasurer, Board of Directors
    BUSINESS ADVISOR

  • Carey Gregg


    LOGISTICS EXPERT

  • Derek Castle

    JACK-OF-ALL-VOLUNEERS

  • Ray Kablanow

    LOGISTICS EXPERT

  • Jameson Henkle


    COURSE DIRECTOR

  • Greg Callas


    WEB DEVELOPER

Our Mission

At Gold Rush Adventure Racing, our mission is to foster a culture of adventure, teamwork and inclusivity. We're not here just to promote and organize events — we’re here to inspire. Our commitment extends beyond the finish line as we strive to make adventure racing accessible to all, from newcomers stepping into the world of racing for the first time to seasoned racers seeking their next challenge. We believe that the outdoors is a playground meant for everyone who are stewards of our Mother Earth, and we work tirelessly (and without pay!) to create events and opportunities that reflect this belief.

Our Races

Our race courses are not just routes — they're narratives that unfold through the wilderness. Infused with our collective experience, each course is meticulously designed to provide an unforgettable adventure. From the iconic Gold Rush Mother Lode Adventure Race to our involvement in USARA national championships, our commitment to top-notch races is unwavering. Although circumstances like wildfires and the pandemic have posed challenges to putting on events, we are committed to continue our races in the traditional Gold Rush-style that racers have come to know and expect – and maybe even love to hate!

Gold Rush races are part of the United States Adventure Racing (USARA) and Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS). 

  • USARA is the national governing body of adventure racing in the U.S., sanctioning adventure races across the country, culminating in the USARA National Championship every fall.

    • As USARA-sanctioned events, we adhere to USARA’s anti-doping policies. It is your (the athlete’s) responsibility to uphold the integrity of the competition and reputation of adventure racing as a clean sport through educated use of supplements, medicines, and other treatments and to understand what is permissible according to USARA standards. In addition to contributing to a level playing field for all competitors, USARA’s policies are designed to help athletes learn more about the medications, substances, and methods they use for the sake of long-term health. We encourage you to spend some time reviewing USARA’s stance on the importance of Anti-Doping, educating yourself through their collection of helpful resources, and understanding the consequences of doping infractions (medicinal, supplemental, or mechanical) by reviewing USARA’s dedicated page to Anti-Doping here.

    • Gold Rush races are USARA-sanctioned events. Racers must either have an annual USARA membership or purchase a single-event license through RunSignUp. Annual membership is instrumental in sustaining USARA’s efforts to support the US-based AR community and host an annual National Championship. In addition to supporting the community as a whole and having single-event fees waived, annual membership includes access to ExpertVoice, an incredible resource for athletes that unlocks pro-deals to hundreds of name-brands. For new racers, check out USARA's "New to Adventure Racing" database, a terrific collection of articles that will help you dive into the amazing sport of AR!

  • ARWS is a premier competition that brings together the world's top endurance athletes in adventure races around the globe. This includes 3- to 10-day Qualifier expeditions leading up to an annual World Championship, as well as 12- to 36-hour Regional races that provide an accessible pathway into the sport.

Join the Journey

We invite you to become a part of our adventure racing family. Whether you're an aspiring racer, a seasoned veteran or simply someone who seeks the thrill of exploration, there's a place for you here. Connect with us on Facebook/Instagram and join our mailing list so you can stay updated about our upcoming events and announcements.

Gold Rush Adventure Racing is more than just our races — we’re a community of outdoor enthusiasts bound by the love of adventure. Together, we can continue to explore the great outdoors while testing our physical and mental limits and mettle.

Non-Profit

This corporation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation and is not organized for the private gain of any person.  It is organized under the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law of California for public and charitable purposes.

 This corporation is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, literary and/or scientific purposes within the within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the corresponding provision of any future United States internal revenue law (the “Code”).

The specific purpose of this corporation is to offer events that foster athletics and teamwork while encouraging appreciation, responsible use, and enjoyment of the outdoors. The corporation encourages healthy, active lifestyles in urban and rural areas while also promoting environmental responsibility.