Currently, there are four primary types of adventure races. Expedition races were the original form and began with the Raid Gauloises. This event was put together to test the human body as well as its spirit and this continues to be the foundation of the sport. The event was run over 500 km of remote wilderness with five person coed teams. The teams used a map, compass, minimum gear and their personal skills and teamwork to complete the race.
Stage races are a quickly growing segment of the sport due to the ease of organization.
A stage race can last from 2-5 days and will see the teams stop each night or after a stage. These races are usually fast, due to the ability to stop and rest after each stage. Unfortunately, there is little opportunity to test one's skills at night or the effects of sleep deprivation in this category. These races are the most likely to offer a solo category. This is a very popular and fast growing form of adventure racing, due to the public accessibility.