# Ian Adamson (adventure racer)

Ian Adamson (born August 29, 1964) is a former competitive adventure racer, television professional and president of World Obstacle, the Fédération Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles (FISO).

## Competition

Adamson started competing in middle distance running, road cycling, cross country and swimming at school. While at university he focused on canoe and kayak, winning the Australian Universities Canoe Championship in C2 Wild Water in 1988, and has four Guinness World Records for the longest distance paddled in 24 hours (1997, 2004), Highest Altitude Obstacle Course Race (2021) and Highest Altitude Fitness Class (2021.)

## Career

Adamson is an eleven-time world champion adventure racer, featured on television shows including the Eco-Challenge, Primal Quest, Raid Gauloises, Men's Journal Adventure Team and X-Games that aired on Outdoor Life Network, ESPN, Discovery Channel, USA Network and MTV from 1995 - 2006. He was a founding member of Team Nike ACG/Balance Bar

## Professional life

Adamson worked at Newton Running Company from 2007 to 2014 as Director of Product Development, and later Director of Medical & Education and previously in an advisory capacity as a sponsored athlete for GU, Giant Bikes, Nike (2002-2007.) He is currently president of World Obstacle, the Fédération Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles, the world governing body for Ninja Warrior, Obstacle Course Racing and is working toward achieving Olympic recognition for the sport.
Adamson is also a writer, having authored Runner's World Guide to Adventure Racing and as a contributor to Adventure Racing the Ultimate Guide, the Complete Guide to Adventure Racing, The Thrill of Victory, The Agony of my Feet, print interviews, appearances and articles. He works as a legal forensic expert at Robson Forensic focusing on outdoor and adventure cases.

## Filmography

* 2016 American Tarzan, Senior Race Coordinator, Discovery Channel
* 2015 Down East Kayak, Talent, NBC Sports
* 2015 Nature Island Challenge 3.0, Host, Outside Television
* 2015 The Raft, Logistics Producer (6 episodes), National Geographic Channel
* 2006 Primal Quest, Moab Utah, Cast, NBC Sports
* 2004 Primal Quest, San Juan Islands, Cast, CBS
* 2003 Primal Quest, Lake Tahoe, Cast, CBS
* 2002 Eco-Challenge Fiji, Cast, USA Network
* 2002 Primal Quest, Telluride, Cast, Outdoor Life Network
* 2001 Eco-Challenge New Zealand, Cast, USA Network
* 2001 World Championship Adventure Race Switzerland, Cast, Discovery Channel
* 2001 Men's Journal Adventure Classics (3 episodes), Executive Producer/Cast, Outdoor Life Network
* 2000 Eco-Challenge, Borneo, Cast, Discovery Channel
* 2000 Raid Gaulioses, Race Across the Himalayas, Cast, Outdoor Life Network
* 1999 Eco-Challenge, Argentina, Cast, Discovery Channel
* 1998 Raid Gauloises, Race Across Ecuador, Cast, Outdoor Life Network
* 1998 Mild Seven Outdoor Quest China, Cast
* 1997 X-Games III, San Diego, Cast, ESPN
* 1997 Eco-Challenge Australia, Cast, Discovery Channel
* 1997 Mild Seven Outdoor Quest, China, Cast
* 1996 X-Games II, ESPN
* 1996 Eco-Challenge British Columbia, Discovery Channel
* 1995 X-Games I, Eco-Challenge Maine, ESPN
* 1995 Eco-Challenge Utah, MTV

## Awards

* 2006 Men's Journal Adventurer of the year
* 2005 Adventure Race Team of the Year
* 2004 Adventure Race Team of the Year
* 2002 RailRider Adventurer of the year

## Works

* Author: Runner's World Guide to Adventure Racing