Jason's Adventure Bash AR - The JAB!

Jason's Adventure Bash AR - The JAB!

Columbia, SC— June 13, 2026 

Memorial Fundraiser for Jason Schmidt

This event is a memorial fundraiser for Adventure Racer and dear friend Jason Schmidt. Created in conjunction with his family, 50% of the proceeds from the event will go to a college fund for his three children, Harry, Sam, and Ellenor. Jason had a dream of bringing an Adventure Race back to his home city of Columbia, SC, for the Summer of 2026. Prior to his tragic passing at the Sea to Sea AR in February 2026, Jason had worked closely with GRIT Adventure Racing to create this dream AR in Columbia, SC. After his passing, his wife Liz wanted to continue his dream. GRIT, close friends, and the local community have rallied in support, keeping his original course design in place and just making a slight name change in his honor. Come join us for a wonderful weekend of racing. Enjoy exploring the city! 

The Soda City Scramble- An Offbeat Urban Adventure Rally! Fantastic for families, athletes, and everyone! Explore the city, get wet with river tubing, and have a blast finding as many checkpoints as you can using a map and compass before time runs out!

The Soda City Odyssey - A challenging endurance adventure race event for beginner to advanced athletes. Featuring Class II whitewater, single track MTB, and a mix of both urban exploration and forested trekking, this is a race you do not want to miss!

Partnered with Canoeing for Kids, Non-Profit

Canoeing for Kids' provides free kayak, paddleboard and canoe trips for children's homes, camps for kids' with health issues, physically and mentally challenged children, and many other qualifying groups. We are proud to partner with them for Jason's Adventure Bash!

Host Locations:

5 Hour: Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park   312 Laurel St  Columbia, SC 29201

12 Hour: 1071 Hope Ferry Rd. Lexington, SC US 29072

Welcome to the Soda City Adventure Race, a multi-sport, navigation-focused race showcasing the best of “Soda City”. Offering both our Family Style Adventure, known as The Soda City Scramble, and our more challenging Soda City Odyssey (12-Hour AR), you can choose your style of adventure through the city!  Whether you’re bringing the family for a first adventure race or you’re an experienced racer hunting points and efficiency, this event is built to be scalable in real time while you’re on the course.

Expect a dynamic mix of:

Navigation + Strategy (choose-your-own-route checkpoint hunting)

Explore the City by Foot, Water, and Bike! (Biking is on the 12-hour course only)

Post-Race Party: Live Music, Bonfire, Food, and lawn games. 

Explore the Hidden Gems of the Soda City! 

Race Overview:

Both race formats use a checkpoint-based (rogaine-style) scoring system: you’ll earn points by collecting as many checkpoints as you can within the time limit. Your job is to build the smartest plan for your team—and adjust on the fly. Perfect for teams of all ability levels who can build their own strategy to maximize adventure and fun within the time limit. 

What racers can count on:

Scalable course design: choose a route that matches your ability, fitness, and comfort. All levels can enjoy both races!

Multiple route options in each discipline (strategy matters as much as speed)

Pre-race racer briefing + safety focus

Electronic Scoring + Results Tracking (details posted on race page)

Awards, Medals, and more!

Post-Race Party: Live Music, Bonfire, Food, and lawn games. 

The Soda City Scramble— An Urban Adventure Rally!

Fun, approachable, and still “real” adventure racing

The Soda City Scramble is designed for families, first-timers, and beginner-to-intermediate racers who want a legit adventure-race experience without feeling overwhelmed. It’s still a navigation-based race with real choices—just packaged in a more approachable time window.

What it feels like: high energy, lots of laughs, and plenty of “we can do this” moments—while still offering enough checkpoints to keep faster teams engaged.

Typical race components (subject to final course design):

~ Family fun and enjoyable river tubing.

2+ miles of trekking across some of the highlights of the city to find checkpoints!

A checkpoint menu that allows teams to do more or do less based on time, comfort, and energy!
 

The Soda City Odyssey — 12-Hour Adventure Race 

Designed to challenge beginner through advanced racers. Class II whitewater, Single Track Mountain Biking, Wooded and Urban Trekking with strategy decisions!

The Soda City Odyssey is the full-day, high-reward version of the event: longer decision-making, bigger point potential, and the kind of race where strong teamwork and clean execution win the day. Racers can push hard, or race smart, or both.

Ideal for:

Experienced adventure racers looking for a proper 12-hour test

Newer racers who want a longer format with the ability to scale effort and difficulty

Teams that love strategy, navigation, and efficient transitions

Highlights:

Bigger checkpoint menu and more route combinations

Explore single track and navigate a surprising course you will certainly not have thought possible! 

A race format that rewards smart pacing + good decisions

Solo and team divisions (team size + categories listed on registration page)

Scalable By Design

Both races are intentionally built so you can modify your day while you’re racing:

Feeling great? Chase higher-value checkpoints and bigger loops.

Need to dial it back? Choose shorter connections and lower-risk routes.

New to navigation? Keep it simple and still have a successful day.

This means the race stays fun and achievable for newer athletes without watering down the challenge for experienced racers.