Friday, November 10, 2023

2024 National Championship Registration INFORMATION

Registration for the 2024 USARA National Championship race will be prioritized based on the final standings in the 2022-2023 National Points Series.

Guaranteed entry will be provided to the following teams in the Mixed Division during the early registration period (date to be announced soon):

2024 Regional Qualifier Races

Here is the preliminary list of regional qualifier races for the 2024 USARA National Championship. Two more races to be added. The winner of each race in the 3/4 mixed division receives a free, guaranteed entry into the National Championship. All finishing teams receive 5 bonus points in the National Points Series.

• May 4: Mission 18-hour, Brookville, IN

• May 18: Berryman 20-hour, Eminence, MO

• June 8: Teton Ogre 24-hour, Swan Valley, ID

• June 29: Stubborn Mule, Cable WI

• July 6: Bend Racing, TBD

• July 13: Never Summer 24-hour, Eagle, CO

• July: Maine Summer AR 24-hour, Brunswick, ME

• Sept. 20: Chisolm Trail 24-hour, Rio Vista TX

Tales from the TA: AR Media

• Team ThisABILITY dropped a mailbag episode of their VLOG/POD (and expertly handled a question from an AR "quasi-celebrity” who is apparently taller in real life than expected)

• The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast has multiple episodes from the ARWS World Championship including Mari Chandler from the second place Team Vidaraid and Per Vestling and Oskar Svärd of the World Champion Swedish Armed Forces Adventure Team (SAFAT)

• Bend Racing has a full series of podcasts from the ARWS World Championship:

  • Episode 1 - Beach Party

  • Episode 2 - The Dark Zone

  • Episode 3 - The Green Line

  • Episode 4 - Campfire Chat

  • Episode 5 - "The real South African Shit!"

  • Episode 6 - Fatigue

  • Episode 7.1 - The aftermath

  • Episode 7.2 - Lance was here

  • Episode 7.3 - Heroes and the Lantern Rouge

  • Episode 8 (final) -  Final finishers, Post race depression and bad feet issues

Adventure Race Talk

To swim or not to swim? Race director Drew Mc floated the idea of reintroducing a swim to his 4-hour adventure race. Most people seemed to think it was a good idea depending on the water and air temperature (the “water crossing at the 2023 National Championship had to be scrapped due to low water temperatures). Some were taken aback by the need to “drag the boat” during the swim. Others were concerned about beginning racers who may be attracted to a shorter event being “turned off” by the swim. Weigh in on FB or in the comment section below.

News from the AR/Endurance World

• Chelsey Magness of Bend Racing and Endurance Mama took third at the Wembo Solo 24 Hour Mountain Bike World Championship; Jason Magness has an in race podcast of the action

• Caught the Arkansas bug after Expedition Ozark? Check out these Arkansas winter destinations

Gear Shed

Winter is coming! Become a member of USARA and check out the reviews and deals on popular brands such as this weeks FLASH DEAL on Mountain Hardwear apparel on ExpertVoice.

Upcoming Races

With the change in early qualification for Nationals, a team’s point total in the National Points Series is clutch to secure a spot!

Dec. 16: Raid The Rock Adventure Race

Mar. 16: Frozen Foot Challenge Adventure Race

Mar. 16: Palmetto Swamp Fox Adventure Race

Apr. 6: DMV Adventure Race

Apr. 6: Stubborn Fool Adventure Race

Apr. 7: Expedition Ozark (Early Registration is OPEN until Dec.1)

Apr. 13: Knox Xtreme Adventure Race

Apr. 20: Shenandoah Epic (Registration OPENS Nov. 1)

Apr. 27: Spring Bloom (Early Registration is OPEN until Dec. 31)