FitView: Fitness Vacation Adventures
by Efren Martinez
Let’s make the summer of 2016 a Gold Rush adventure. Back in 2001, a group of Modesto ultra runners who had participated in adventure races decided to organize similar events in the Modesto area. These ultra runners, Adrian Crane, Yitzhak Gilon, Joanne Grether, Frank Earnest and Brien Crothers, were the original founders of the Gold Rush Adventures company. This is a group of like-minded friends who enjoy outdoor adventures and encouraging others to get outside. This is why they formed and now organize formal events as the company “Gold Rush Adventure Racing”. This outdoor fitness company is family-friendly and like other endurance sports, many participants are older but they try to encourage people of all ages. I asked Adrian, “What are some of the Gold Rush Adventures the company offers?” He replied, “We do a lot of mountain climbing and backpacking but also kayak, canoe, mountain bike, orienteering/hiking and trail runs. Our formal events offer orienteering/hiking which we use as training events for the adventure races and then the adventure races themselves which involve hiking/running, mountain bike and paddling.” These Gold Rush Adventures generally happen in the Sierra foothills and lakes. For Adrian, it just made perfect sense to help start such a company since, “we are blessed in Modesto to have many beautiful places nearby where we can get outside and have adventures. We often venture further a field in our own adventures to climb mountains or participate in endurance events.” This summer, add a Gold Rush Adventure to your families vacation/outdoor plans and if you’re more of a winter outdoorsy type, Gold Rush Adventures is active year-round. Their events are typically spread through the year beginning with simpler and training events and ending with their biggest 24hr or multi-day event in the fall. In the winter, they especially enjoy winter camping, climbing and snowshoeing. Today, the core members are Adrian Crane, Mark Richardson, Deborah Steinberg, Carey Gregg, Carl Suffit, Dennis Baker and Ray Kablanow. For more information of experiencing a Gold Rush Adventure, log onto their media links below or simply give them a call at (209) 484-0972
Web: www.GoldRushAR.com
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goldrushar/
