An Adventure Racing Media Pro Reviews Arthur the King

Arthur the King (2024) - My thoughts from a media racer's perspective: (MILD SPOILERS)

Like a lot of folks in the adventure racing community, I have already gone to see the new movie Arthur the King. If you have somehow missed this release, go check out the film while it's in theaters. Now that I've seen it with Strong Machine Adventure Racing there were a few things that stuck out to me that I'd like to mention in a brief review here.

REALISM:

In many details the film stays quite realistic and true to the ARWS - Adventure Racing World Series experience. Everything that the teams wear and carry during the race in the movie is what you might expect to see on a real course. From the OutThere USA packs to the Epic wing paddles and slow plastic sit-on-top kayaks, it really felt authentic visually. The movie's dialogue was also peppered with adventure racing inside jokes and references that were clearly thought out by those with deep knowledge of the sport.

“Adventure Racing News” (See: sleepmonsters.com for IRL Adventure Racing news)

The course is the size of the entire Dominican Republic, which is accurate to the scale of ARWS courses!

Zoom in on the course flyover

While the details of the race itself were highly simplified and condensed, I still think they did well to show adventure racing in a very exciting light. The simplified approach to explaining the sport will surely help those unfamiliar with adventure racing to better understand it, but the film runs into the same problem that haunts all adventure racing media: the need for constant explanation to the audience.

The time honored pastime of dot watching.

If Arthur the King were a film about a baseball player who found a dog, the audience would need little to no explanation for what the sport in the movie was. Adventure racing is far from simple, and not nearly as widely known, so the film must take significant time to attempt to explain the sport in relation to the story. Unfortunately that does take away from time that could be spent on character development, and it makes the movie feel faster paced than it is. I know adventure racing, so I'm a bit biased and maybe I take for granted knowing how the sport works. Striking a balance between realism, character development, and the need to explain everything along the way is the real challenge here, and I think the film rides that tightrope nicely. Although, I really would have liked to see a couple more scenes with Arthur and the team. Speaking of...

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE DOG:

Wahlberg (Michael Light) and Ukai (Arthur) the dog

Again, and as the owner of a rescue dog myself, I'm biased toward a good dog story. This movie did not have to work very hard to get me to be emotionally invested in Arthur (played by acting dog Ukai), but maybe that's partially because I love dogs... Anyway the connection between Mark Wahlberg's character and the dog Arthur appeared strong, but I really wanted to see more of that experience - the why behind how they became inseparable. Again I think this element of storytelling seems to have been cut back to balance with overall explanation and exposition. The acting dog does a remarkable job in the film, and is waaay better behaved than my old pup. There are couple scenes that appear to use CGI versions of Arthur for close up shots, but it's nearly impossible to tell, and most of the scenes look like they were shot with the actual dog Ukai. If I'm wrong and it's all Ukai, that dog deserves an Oscar.

JUSTIFIED UN-REALISM

Although these points do not take away from the film as a whole, there are a few things that really stuck out to me as generous creative license Hollywood additions in the film:

1. The zipline: Without spoiling anything that isn't already known from the trailers, it seems highly unlikely to me that a race would contain an unattended zipline like the one depicted in Arthur the King. I don't know if those race directors will be able to get insurance for their next race after this one....

Probably the least realistic scene in the movie, but still very cool to watch!

2. Groups of racers: We do see lots of groups of teams racing side by side throughout the movie. While that's important to be visually exciting, the truth is that these races are so spread out that you typically won't see such large groups so late in the race. Adding more people, along with a cameo from Mikael Lindnord himself, makes the race seem more exciting on screen though.

3. Freshness: As much as the makeup department tried to make the cast look worn down, we don't quite an authentic sleep deprived race face from Mark Walhberg or any of the team. They do appear to be quite fresh on only 60 minutes of "rest" per day, but I don't expect actors to go that deep into the pain cave for a role. Okay maybe Christian Bale...

4. The corporate sponsor scene: Can someone explain to me how I get a group of 4 executives and a lawyer together to give me the time to pitch a sponsorship opportunity with adventure racing? Asking for a friend.

5. Who exactly is on belay for Olivia (Nathalie Emmanuel) and Michael Light (Wahlberg) when we see them yeet themselves off a seaside cliff without looking?

FINAL THOUGHTS

Arthur the King is a fun and emotional story that tugs hard at the heartstrings as it adapts adventure racing to the big screen in a way that I think will translate to a wider audience. Am I slightly biased for my love of adventure racing and rescue dogs? Probably, but I do think the film balances the need for basic explanation and character development well, especially given the runtime constraints of modern theatrical releases.

If you want to see adventure racing in theaters, now is your chance. Adventure racers will get all the inside jokes, references, and maybe pick up on some other creative liberties with the realism. Dog lovers will appreciate the story of Arthur, the dog with wings, and (Wahlberg) Lindnord's journey together. Overall it's a fun experience on film and it's very cool to see our sport being represented like this.

Go see the film and tell me what you thought!

For more about the real adventure racer Mikael Lindnord and the incredible true story, check out the book, Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed a Jungle to Find a Home

Now available as an audiobook on Spotify!

How I Accidentally Became an Adventure Racer (and you can too)

Originally posted August 17, 2020

If you haven’t seen the Amazon original series, “Eco Challenge Fiji: The World’s Toughest Race,” do yourself a favor and binge it next weekend to get a feel for what it’s like to be an adventure racer.. If you’re still interested in getting into the game after that, read on. Like many adventure racers, I saw Mark Burnett’s Eco Challenge in the 1990s and was enthralled and inspired by athletes who could cover epic distances over unthinkable times. That series launched a wave of interest into adventure racing that has been renewed thanks to the high production value reboot with outdoor personality Bear Grylls. I started adventure racing almost by mistake in 2016 and I have really come to love the sport and the community. I’m in better shape now at 38 than I have ever been in my life, and I owe it all to adventure racing.

How I Accidentally Became an Adventure Racer (and you can too)

It was just past 11:00 pm on the night of June 17th, 2016 and I found myself hauling camera and camping gear through dark and unfamiliar woods on my way to set up for the inaugural Maine Summer Adventure Race as the official race photographer. It was still oppressively warm and humid that evening, and the mosquitoes were eating me alive as I stumbled along the darkened trail, unsure of exactly where I was going. About a mile from the road where I had parked, I eventually found the modest little hut that the race organizers had reserved for me. Climbing up the last hill to the cabin, I felt a unique sense of adventure and accomplishment that struck me to my core. I didn’t know it at the time, but that was where I truly started adventure racing.

For the next two years, I worked as a race photographer & videographer for a handful of races in Maine and Pennsylvania. Working with the athletes and race organizers of the adventure racing community allowed me an amazing opportunity to observe and learn from the top teams in the sport. I even made a short adventure racing documentary that screened at several film festivals: The Hardest Day in Maine. Of course the more time I spent on the periphery of the events, the more I wanted to be in the action myself. 

Although not exactly an “athlete,” I consider myself the outdoorsy type with plenty of experience to back that up so I had a good place to start. Unfortunately I lacked the knowledge on what I really needed to go from a spectator to a competent adventure racer. And of course I was absolutely lost when it came to navigation. I just knew I wanted an adventure. There are some good articles out there now on basic gear setups, training programs, and orienteering, but I believe for some things, there is no better teacher than firsthand experience.

In 2019, I joined up with a veteran racer who agreed to race with me in my first 24 hour race. He navigated and motivated us while I struggled to keep pace. Although I ended up not finishing the race due to dehydration, I did make it through 13 hours which still felt like a huge accomplishment. 

Recovering in a tent at one of the overnight checkpoints under a space blanket, I thought a lot about what I could have done to avoid not finishing the race and in general what I could do to perform better. I was able to identify what went wrong and it turned out to be mostly small errors in gear preparation, lack of experience, and poor choices on course. That being said, here are ten things I learned the hard way so you don’t have to:

1. Drink water AND salt: Everyone knows to drink plenty of water when doing outdoor activities, especially in the summer. Managing that balance is critical, and on a hot humid day, it is critical to add some electrolytes to your hydration plan. Whether that’s capsules, powdered mixes, concentrates, or tablets, try to find a palatable way of getting your salts along with your water. 

2. Get tights: Even in warm weather, long tights are a must have for me on race day. They provide protection from the sun and from bugs, as well as the underbrush that you’ll be running through at times. I wear a bib style tight that doesn’t cinch at the waist and it makes a world of difference in comfort. 

3. Bike chamois pants: You’re going to be spending a lot of time on a bike, and you will want all the padding you can get. No one’s judging you here.

4. Anti-chafing measures: This is one thing some new adventure racers forget and then pay dearly for. Before the race, I use an anti-chafing cream that hasn’t let me down yet. Just make sure you put it on in all the right spots. You can use your imagination on this one.

5. Shin Gaiters: This may be the only product that I explicitly recommend, but Moxie Gear makes a full shin gaiter that is just about perfect for adventure racing. Even with light padding on the front to protect from branches and underbrush, the gaiter is still form fitting enough that I can wear it while cycling and not have to worry about getting caught in the gears.

6. Food: Find whatever food works for you on race day and eat that. Whatever it is, make sure it’s packable, nutrient dense, and easy or bland enough to eat without upsetting your stomach. Sub sandwiches are a popular choice for transition area calories, and I have even seen racers on course with piles of fast food cheeseburgers as well. Your mileage may vary, but I find the best way to get calories into my system on race day is in liquid form. Geriatric nutrition shakes are the best way to get those liquid calories in, and as a bonus you can fill a second hydration bladder with Ensure to drink/eat on the trail. 

7. Insect repellent: The insect population on many adventure race courses can be absolutely vicious. Bug bites can end races, so the best thing to do is to prepare for the worst. A few days before a summer race, I treat my race gear with permethrin. On the day of the race, I use a maximum strength insect repellent spray, and carry a head net with me for the evenings.

8. Get better on the bike: While you can technically complete some adventure races without riding on mountain bike trails, it’s just not as fun. To get the full feel of a course, you really need to be at least a little bit comfortable riding a mountain bike off road. For me, that was the biggest hurdle to becoming an adventure racer, since it’s more than a matter of just simply renting or buying a bike. Confidence in descending is something that I really only learned with lots of practice.

9. Get better in the boat: Whether it’s in a kayak or canoe, a large portion of every race is going to be spent on the water. You’ll be getting in and out of your boat to collect checkpoints, and you will get wet. The more confident you are as a paddler, the more you’ll be able to observe the course around you and pay attention to your navigation.

10. Navigation: Surprisingly navigation is the very last thing I learned before attempting my first solo adventure race. Although map and compass navigation is a central part of adventure racing, the team aspect of the sport means that to start racing, you don’t technically need to know how to navigate. You just need to be on a team with someone who does. This might not be as satisfying as finding the points on your own, but it’s an easy way to get a hands-on introduction to the sport at full speed.

After recovering from that first race, I knew I had to rethink my approach to training. That is, I thought, “maybe I should do some training rather than no training whatsoever.” Not one for the gym, I found a local nature preserve with some mountain bike trails that I could use to make a decent little workout for myself. A few times a week I started riding the 13 mile loop I had made that was about half singletrack and half road. It only took about a dozen rides before I started to feel confident and fast enough to take on another (albeit much shorter) adventure race course. You don’t have to be a world class mountain biker or paddler, but the more experience you have, the better you’ll fare. The experience I gained over just a couple months of riding that loop made a world of difference for me on race day.

Ready to take on a course yourself? Check out usara.com to learn more and find a race near you!

How it all began: I made a short documentary film

Originally published April 18, 2019

When people ask me how much of my business is made up of architectural photography and things surrounding the real estate market, my typical reply is, “about 85%.” I guess I just really love to take pictures of empty buildings and I found my niche there, but naturally the next question I’m asked is about the other fifteen percent of my business. That other portion isn’t corporate events, senior proms, bar mitzvahs, quinceaneras, sweet sixteens, family reunions, and especially not weddings. The other 15% is mostly made up of outdoor sports coverage, specifically adventure racing. What is adventure racing? That story actually starts with seafood, so buckle up.

Lobsters for Asia-Pacific

In the summer of 2015, I was contacted by an Australian representative of a pan-Asian seafood market website - essentially the Amazon.com of the seafood trade for all of Asia-Pacific. They hired me initially to photograph the facilities of a few of their Maine lobster suppliers, which in and of itself was a pretty cool gig. I got to hang out and watch the whole process at each facility - it was essentially a private tour.

That’s how I met Annie Tselikis, who was working in marketing at a seafood distribution company out of York, Maine at the time. She liked my pictures and ended up introducing me to some other folks in the seafood industry, and that led to a lot of different work for seafood companies. It also led me to meet Cliff White, the editor at SeafoodSource, a trade publication and resource.

While we were all at an event that Annie’s company was hosting, Cliff asked if I would be interested in photographing a “unique” outdoor event that he and his wife Kate were hosting. I consider myself an outdoorsy kind of guy, and I thought it would be a neat opportunity to work on something other than houses once in a while, so I signed up, not totally knowing what I was in for. As it turned out, the sport was adventure racing, and the event was the 2016 Maine Summer Adventure Race. For the uninitiated, adventure racing is kind of like running an IronMan triathlon on a 100 mile Tough Mudder course. It’s a super long, multi-stage race held in just straight wilderness in many places, and if you want to win, it’s non-stop, pedal to the metal for the whole time - 24 hours.

Adventure Time

The 2016 Maine Summer Adventure Race was the first race hosted by Cliff and Kate who run Strong Machine Adventure Racing out of Portland, Maine. It was my first outdoor race of any kind, so we were all kind of new to it, but it turned out to be an amazing experience that left me wanting to do more of it. Working with paper maps and limited cell service, I crammed all of my gear into my 2009 Honda Civic and followed the racers through the enormous course. That first race was a bit hectic, but it gave us a lot of ideas for improvement. And apparently I was good enough that they invited me back for the 2017 race.

The next year I photographed the race, I brought even more cameras with the intention of making a short promo video. We ran through a timeline of highlights on the course - where to catch the best photos of racers, access points to some of the more remote areas, etc., and I started to get an idea of what might be possible for a short subject documentary.

Like most of the people who are involved in Adventure Racing as participants, I recall watching an extremely compelling documentary series in the 1990’s on something called the Eco-Challenge. Unlike many of the athletes who saw the films and wanted to get in the race, I saw them and thought, “how do I get behind the camera?” As it turns out, photographing the Maine Summer Adventure Race would be an opportunity to do just that.

After gaining some additional experience working on covering another 12 hour race in Pennsylvania, I returned to the 2018 Maine race with the seed of an idea for a short film. Adventure racing is not a huge deal in America, and without the Eco-Challenge (for now,) there’s not much coverage of it at all. It’s a super demanding endurance sport, and the top athletes are serious competitors. Since my interviews with them in May 2018, I wanted to tell the story of the Maine race through the lens of my experience with the 2017 US National Championship winning team, Rootstock Racing. Rootstock is Brent Freedland and Abby Perkiss who are based near Philadelphia, PA, and they eat sleep and breathe adventure racing. They were also very good sports about me doing this film and hanging around with a camera all the time!

With a lot more planning, and a few more on-course cameras, I rode alongside the 2018 race for all 24 hours, taking stills and video while trying to navigate and cover as much of the course as possible. The result of all that footage is this short film, “The Hardest Day in Maine.” I hope you like it.