A Season-Long Challenge: An Overview of the Adventure Competitions Series (ACS)
For those who cannot imagine life without mountain trails, fast river rapids, snowy couloirs, and constant testing of personal limits, the acronym ACS has long become synonymous with some of the most exciting sporting events in Ukraine.
Adventure Competitions Series (ACS) is a unique nationwide series of adventure races that brings together a wide range of disciplines: trail running, skitouring, paddling, cycling, and multisport. It welcomes both experienced athletes and those just beginning their journey into outdoor adventure sports.
The main idea of the platform is to develop outdoor culture, promote an active and healthy lifestyle, and showcase the tourism potential of Ukraine’s wild landscapes through fair and competitive sport.
Each event in the series is not just a marked route, but a true autonomous adventure that requires not only physical fitness, but also tactical thinking, navigation skills, and the ability to choose and use reliable equipment. Above all, it is about the adventure itself and the strong community behind it.
Who is behind ACS?
The core foundation and ideological driver of the ACS series is the TURE team — a well-known community of professional travelers, guides, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Relying on their own network of mountain shelters and camps (including the Gadzhyna mountain hut, the famous “White Elephant” camp in Dzembronia, and “White Bison” on the Dniester River), the TURE team ensures flawless logistics, safety on difficult terrain, and creates a unique atmosphere of “Carpathian brotherhood” at every event.
ACS Calendar and Geography: From Snowy Peaks to River Canyons
Over the years, the series has formed a strong core of recurring events covering all four seasons and radically different natural environments.
1. White Elephant Cup (WEC)
Extreme team skitouring races with navigation elements on the harsh winter Chornohora ridge.
2. “Along the Edge of Spring”
A traditional spring trail race in the Carpathian highlands, opening the running season and allowing athletes to literally run along the border between winter snow and the first greenery.
3. “Boriviter” Paddle Marathon
A specialized charity paddling marathon on the Dniester River up to 60 km, created for physical and mental rehabilitation and adaptation of Ukrainian veterans, military personnel, and their families.
4. Night Chornohora Marathon (NChM)
A cult summer ultratrail where participants cover the route in complete darkness, crossing all major 2000-meter peaks of Ukraine under the starry sky.
5. Dnister Challenge Race
Dynamic summer multisport races in the scenic Dniester Canyon, requiring versatility in paddling, swimming, running, and mountain biking.
6. “Chornohora Trails”
An atmospheric autumn trail race that closes the classic mountain racing season against the backdrop of the golden Carpathian peaks.
Why we support ACS
We support ACS because of the authenticity of the TURE team. They dedicate themselves fully to creating well-organized, meaningful events.
This is a completely independent series, not a state-run initiative, where anyone can participate and challenge themselves.
The series is an example of a truly ecological and transparent sports project, where the main value is the experience itself rather than just the competition result.
The TURE team brings together both top Ukrainian athletes and people who are just beginning to explore these sports. This openness, strong community spirit, and healthy competition atmosphere make ACS a truly unique series in Ukraine.
