The Transition: AR News & Updates

Written By Bill Donohue

Friday, September 22

The 2023 Adventure Race National Champions

Bend Racing/SkinDoctor

Bend Racing/SkinDoctor led the 2023 Adventure Race National Championship from the first TA until the finish line. The team of three from Bend, Oregon – Emily Caseria, Dusty Caseria, and Max King— was the first team to clear the entire course in 27 hours, 9 minutes to become the National Champion.

“Wow that was a tough course,” Dusty Caseria, the navigator of Bend Racing/SkinDoctor, said after the race. “We definitely came into this race hungry for the win after each of us had placed second in our previous nationals experience. We got out hard and had a very small lead by the first transition area. We kept pushing and despite a couple small bobbles, had a really clean race and managed to hold onto the lead through the finish.”

Bend Racing/Skin Doctor had a 1 minute lead at the first TA after the opening trek section. At each TA that lead grew by a few minutes. At TA 5, eventual second place team Grit Adventures had cut the lead to 30 minutes, but after the Team O section between TA 6 & 7 where teams could split up and each take an orienteering leg, Bend had a 45 minute lead that would only grow.

This year’s race featured 62 teams of three vying for the title of national champion. Jesse Spangler, Amanda Bohley, and Jesse Tubb of GRIT Adventures of Laurel, Maryland, finished second in the premier mixed-gender division in a time of 28:57, and Justin Bakken, Mari Chandler, and Brian Mayer of two-time defending champion squad WEDALI of Minnetonka, Minnesota, completed the podium and was the final team to get to every checkpoint on the course, in a time of 29:40.

“Teamwork is fundamental in adventure racing,” said Jesse Spangler of Grit Adventures. “Us three teammates had never all raced together before, so we had to figure out our team roles and strategy well before maps were given out. As soon as we showed up, we knew what each of us had to do. After the race started, our roles adapted to the course demands and team needs. As in any adventure race, we had to overcome unexpected challenges, but we meshed well and had an incredible time pushing each other to the finish line.”

“Amazing time at the USARA National Championship in Vermont this weekend, reported Amanda Bohley of Grit ADventures. “My team managed to place 2nd overall in what many are saying was the most competitive and the most physical Nationals in recent memory. I can confirm the “physical” part.”

“Thanks to USARA and Green Mountain Adventure Racing Association (GMARA) for a fantastic event, Bohley added. “As well as all of the volunteers. The adventure racing community feels like family and I’m so happy to be a part of it.”

National champions were also crowned in the female, male, and masters divisions, with the local team Feral Femmes of Winooski, Vermont, taking top prize in the women’s division. The men’s division was once again won Michigan Racing Addicts – the team’s fourth championship – and the masters division was won by Kinetic Energy/Odyssey Adventure Racing.

Rib Mountian Racing was crowned the National Points Series champion.

“We had a great weekend at the USARA Adventure Racing National Championship,” said Tim Buchholtz of Rib Mountain Racing. “Vermont’s scenic beauty did not disappoint - the lush green mountains, winding rivers, steep peaks, and rocky terrain made for an exciting race course. While our race was far from perfect, we still held it together for a top 10 finish and had an incredible time.”

The team also won the award for the “Best O-Team” after completing the team O-challenge in the fastest time.

Be sure to check out the USARA webpages for links to more coverage of the race.

Links for race coverage, photos, GPX tracks, and more available at USARA.com

USARA National Championship Sponsors

USARA is fortunate to have a number of sponsors assisting with the 2023 USARA National Championship Race. Thank you for your support!

Talk around the TA

Mark Lattanzi stirred the pot on Facebook with his recommendation about the possible shift in the Master’s Division criteria. Should the age go from 45 to 50? or 55? a total of 160 years? or something else? Let us know your thoughts at social@usara.com

What type of weekly content would you like to see in The Transition? Let us know at social@usara.com.

Bill Donohue
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