United States Adventure Racing Association

Leave No Trace has long been a common philosophy and practice in the outdoor recreational world, and USARA firmly subscribes to this ethos. LNT has promoted their seven core principles since 1999, and countless organizations abide by them, including the US National Park Service, the Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. Adventure Racers are not only athletes; we are also explorers and stewards of the land, and USARA urges all racers to abide by LNT’s core principles themselves while requiring sanctioned race directors to incorporate them into their event planning and management. If we want public lands to remain open to our events and community, we all need to do our part to respect this important outdoor recreational philosophy!

Leave No Trace’s 7 Core Principles include the following. Read more about these principles on LNT’s website.

Plan Ahead and Prepare
Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waster Properly
Leave What you Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Others

While LNT’s core principles were not developed with adventure racers in mind, we can adhere to these principles in several ways including but not limited to:

Be prepared and have a plan to manage your trash as you travel through the course. Secure trash while out on a stage and properly dispose of it at transition areas. Be prepared to carry trash for the duration of the event as not all TAs are suitable for trash collection.
If camping or sleeping, select an appropriate location to do so.
If RDs (in conjunction with land managers) have deemed areas to environmentally sensitive for travel, respect these restrictions, even if there is temptation to pass through such an area.
Human waster should be properly buried, and any sanitary products should be packed out. If WAGbags are required, do not skip using them simply because it is easier. Consider location and find a suitable location away from activity, water sources, etc.
Do not collect any natural materials, especially if sensitive or protected.
Follow RD and land manager restrictions on fire. If permitted to build a fire, build a proper fire ring and choose an appropriate setting. Tend to your fire and make sure it is fully extinguished and properly dispersed before carrying on.
Be respectful of wildlife and give it the proper space if directly encountering animals during the event.
You are likely to be sharing the trails, roads, and waterways with other outdoor enthusiasts not to mention cars, pedestrians, private property owners, and other individuals. Be respectful and stop “racing” if necessary. Give way to other users to help preserve your RD’s relationship with the local community.