Mid-America Xtreme Adventure Racing was founded in 1997, and is one of the oldest and most well respected adventure racing organizations in the world. Mid-America Xtreme hosted its first event, the Mid-America Xtreme Adventure Race, in the Nicolet National Forest of northern Wisconsin in 1999 and since that time we have hosted dozens of events in the Midwest (Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois) and abroad, including Costa Rica and Belize.
Our goal has always been to provide high quality events that challenge competitors, and give back to our communities. Mid-America Xtreme has focused its charitable work and donations on programs that promote outdoor activities for youth. As a group we believe we have a firm belief that the youth of today are our future. An appreciation of the outdoors and teamwork leads to a lifetime of health, and success.
Adventure Racing is in our blood, it is a passion that drives us.
OUR TEAM MEMBERS
NAME: Mike Polzin
AGE: 44
HOME: Crystal Falls, MI
OCCUPATION: Software Engineer
BACKGROUND
Mike is the founder of Mid-America Xtreme, a world-class adventurer, race director for the MAX Adventure Race and is one of the top event organizers in the world.
Mike is an experienced adventure racer and has competed in many adventure races from single to multi-day expedition length races in the United States and abroad. "It is important for me to continue to compete in events so that I do not lose focus, it reminds me of why I got into adventure racing in the first place, and what it is like to be a racer", say Mr. Polzin. "It is an intense and very spiritual sport and the dynamics of my team make it a truly enjoyable experience."
Mike has been involved in directing in dozens of events over the past seventeen years, including many single, multi-day, and expedition length races. Mike and his teams last expedition length race held in Costa Rica, led competitors on a 5 day journey that started on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, into the rainforest, through the mountains, to the foot of the active Arenal Volcano, and over the continental divide before finally ending on the Caribbean coast.
Mike has successfully launched several other companies, worked as a whitewater guide, is a PADI certified open water diver, an Outdoor Emergency Care Technician, and active member of the National Ski Patrol.
NAME: Keith Lamb
AGE: 46
HOME: Grand Marsh, WI
OCCUPATION: USPS Mail Carrier
BACKGROUND
Like most people Keith was introduced to adventure racing while watching the Eco Challenge on the Discovery channel. After a year of training he did his first race at the Watertown Adventure Challenge and Keith was hooked. Mike needed volunteers for the first Mid-America Xtreme Race and he jumped at the opportunity and was honored when Mike asked him to join on as a team member.
Keith enjoys maintaining the website, helping to organize team training schedules & races, and he also directed the the Fall Classic.
NAME: Tom Grow
AGE: 45
HOME: Morton, IL
OCCUPATION: Environmental Consultant
BACKGROUND
The team first met Tom when he volunteered at the first Mid-America Adventure Xtreme Race in 1999 and was asked to join the team shortly after. Tom is a devoted father and husband; he manages to balance his team activities and family life and spends quality time with his wife Jennifer, daughter Hannah and son Gabriel. Tom never sits still and when he isn't with the family or team you can bet he is out Rock or Ice Climbing, Mountaineering, Mountain Biking, Hiking, or Skiing, you name it and he's doing with it with passion.
