About Us

At 180 Adventure, our mission is to inspire a love for adventure racing by encouraging participants to push their limits in endurance, navigation, and teamwork—all while immersing themselves in the beauty of nature. Founded in 2010 by Paula Waite, 180 Adventure is committed to sustaining and growing the sport in the Midwest, fostering an inclusive community that welcomes everyone, from first-time racers to seasoned competitors.

Based in Hayward, Wisconsin, 180 Adventure is renowned for hosting some of the Midwest’s most popular and highly-rated races. Whether it’s a 5-hour beginner-friendly event that feels like a treasure hunt in the woods or a demanding 24+ hour endurance challenge for elite teams, 180 Adventure designs events that invite everyone to embark on their own adventure.

Our Team

Paula Waite

Race Director

Paula has been passionate about adventure racing since her first event in 1999. Over the years, she has competed in hundreds of races, from sprints to multi-day expeditions. Her love for the sport, its volunteers, and its racers shines through in her commitment to creating exceptional experiences.

Paula’s favorite aspect of adventure racing is navigation, and she incorporates plenty of route choices and decision-making challenges into her courses. Striving for balance, she designs 180 Adventure events to reward teams skilled in all disciplines—paddling, biking, and trekking. Every checkpoint is carefully selected for its scenic beauty or the journey it inspires. Known for her attention to detail, Paula invests significant effort in producing accurate maps and always prioritizes the racer experience.

One of her proudest achievements was serving as race director for the 2021 USARA National Championship, which she brought to Cable, Wisconsin.

Paula is deeply grateful for her partner Julie, who shares her enthusiasm for scouting new course ideas and turning their dining room into map-laden planning zones. She also credits the success of 180 Adventure events to the dedicated volunteers who return year after year to make it all possible.

Julie, a lifelong adventurer, was thrilled to discover that adventure racing combined her love for exploration with the excitement of competition. She feels most at home in the woods or on the water and is always seeking her next big adventure—whether right out her front door or deep in the mountains.

Since joining 180 Adventure in 2014, Julie has been instrumental in designing race courses, pouring over maps, and scouting new terrain to create unforgettable experiences. A passionate advocate for wild places and public lands, she brings her love for the outdoors to every event she helps craft.

An accomplished athlete, Julie’s adventures span mountain biking, trail running, hockey, soccer, triathlon, field hockey, and of course, adventure racing. Her dedication to exploring and sharing the outdoors fuels her mission to inspire others to embrace the spirit of adventure.