Race Director: Keith Pitman
The Caney Puzzler Adventure Race will be held at Caney Lakes in the Kisatchie National Forest in Minden, LA. Teams will bike, paddle, and run/trek on the trails in the park and around the lake. The Caney Puzzler offers something for everyone. A Mini Sprint division will be offered for beginners that will be on a marked course with no navigation. The 3-6 hr sprint division and the 10-12 hr adventure division will allow racers to choose their race routes and strategy and will include navigation by map and compass only (NO GPS DEVICES ALLOWED).
Mini Sprint Race Teams of 2/3 (solos allowed), will run, bike, and paddle on a marked course. Be prepared for a 1 mile paddle, 6-8 miles of biking, and a 2-3 mile run/trek. Boats (1 Canoe per team) will be provided for teams. Solos must supply their own boats. Participants just need to have a mountain bike, helmet, and a camelback or bottle. Estimated winning time is 1.5 hours. 20 Team Limit
Sprint Race Teams of 2/3 (solos allowed), will run, bike, paddle and face team challenges and decisions along the way. Be prepared for 2-3 miles of paddling (boats provided for all teams, Solos must supply their own boats.), 8-12 miles of biking and 5-8 miles of trekking plus some surprises. Teams must be able to navigate with a pre-plotted map and a compass. This is not an off road Tri!! This is a real adventure race. Estimated winning time is 3.5 hours. 25 Team Limit
12 hr Adventure Race Teams of 2/3 (solos allowed with director approval). This is a real adventure race. Teams must be able to navigate with a map and compass and use a UTM plotter (majority of points will be pre-plotted but you will have to plot some). This year’s course will include 3-5 miles of paddling (boats provided for all teams, Solos must supply their own boats.), 30-40 miles of mountain biking on single track and forest roads, and 15-20 miles of trekking. The estimated winning time is 10 hours. 25 Team Limit
| Race Date | September 26, 2026 (Rescheduled from March 6) |
| Check-in | 5:30 AM Up to 30 Minutes before race start time |
| Pre Race | 15 Minutes before race start time |
| Race Start | 12 Adventure Course: 7:00 AM, Sprint: 8:00 AM, Mini-Sprint: 9:00 AM |
| Race Cut Off | 12 Adventure Course: 7:00 PM, Sprint: 2:00 PM, Mini Sprint: 2:00 PM |
| Awards | Will be determined by number of entries in each category. Given out after the top 3 teams finish or after Race Cut Off. |
| Teams | Mini Sprint and Sprint: Teams of 2 or 3 person male, female, coed, ‘future ARers (at least 1 teammate 14 and under), Solos allowed but must supply their own boats! Adventure Course: Teams of 2 or 3 person male, female, and coed. Solos allowed with director approval but must supply their own boats! |
| Entry Fee | Registration closes September 12th! Cost: $80 Mini Sprint Race, $110 Sprint Race, $150 12 Hour Race Future AR participants discounted $20 per each member 14 and under in the Mini and Sprint Races |
| Fee Includes | Land use fees, maps, post race food, team challenges, awards for place winners, finisher medal, and a t-shirt |
opens September 2025
BOATS: boats (1 per team) Plan to provide to teams in all divisions. Have 10 currently available and working on more to provide to all teams. Teams may bring your own boats. Solos, in all divisions, must provide their own boat.
Required Gear For Each Team 6 and 12 hour courses only:
Pen, or pencil, fully charged cell phone in a waterproof bag, a First Aid Kit (no specific requirements), Compass, 1:24,000 UTM plotter (12 hr course only)
Waterproof bag for maps and course instructions (not required but highly recommended),
Required Gear For Each Person:
Food & Water, a Whistle, Helmet & Mountain Bike (no E-bikes, gravel, road, or cyclocross bikes allowed), Camelbak/Backpack, headlamp/bike light (12 hr course only), red blinkie for bike (12 hr course only)
RULES
Lodging Options near race site-
Beaver Dam Campground
RESULTS:
