The Transition: AR News and Updates
Friday, November 1, 2024
USARA Statement on International Governance
The recent article by Sleepmonsters regarding the inclusion of adventure racing in a proposal being presented to the upcoming Pentathlon World Congress has, understandably, sparked a lot of conversation within the adventure racing community. There’s a lot of material out there and a lot of time could be spent digesting it all. We suspect most of you would rather be out racing and training rather than spending that time on documentation about international sport governance and how this organization or that one might affect you as a racer.
This is one of the reasons that USARA exists. We’ll provide the US racing community with what you need to know and point you in the right direction if you wish to learn more. Over the past four years USARA has had conversations with many (if not all) of the parties involved in the international governance conversation. Our position has and will continue to be to support the effort(s) that are most beneficial to the US racing community and adventure racing in general.
The International Adventure Race Association’s (IARA) stated goal to bring different national organizing and governing bodies together is the kind of effort we are in support of, and after being involved in many of the early meetings we have applied for membership to support their work. You can check out more about them on their website.
At this time there’s not much, if anything, that will directly affect you as racers or race directors. USARA will stay involved and aware of all that’s going on with international governance and bring you updates on occasion. You are, of course, more than welcome to reach out to us directly if you have any questions.
If you are interested in getting some more insight into this topic race director Allen Wagner wrote up a good summary outlining the parties involved along with some “how we got here” explanation.
Enjoy your weekend racing or training!
Mike Garrison
United States Adventure Racing Association
Further Resources:
International Adventure Racing Association (IARA) Position Statement on World Obstacle and World Pentathlon Merger
Sleepmonsters Article: Pentathlon to Rule Adventure Racing ... Who Knew?
Race Director Allen Wagner’s Explainer on the issue
Canada Adventure Wins Two Rivers Adventure Race
Canada Adventure was the overall and premier coed division winner at the 2024 Two Rivers Adventure Race, serving as the inaugural Adventure Racing World Series North America Regional Championship.
The team of Ryan Atkins, Lyne Bissette, Scott Ford and Bob Miller cleared the 54 checkpoint course in 20 hours and 45 minutes with efficient route finding and relentless forward motion. For their efforts, the team has secured their place in (and free entry to) the 2025 Adventure Racing World Championship to be held in BC, Canada.
Rev3 Endurance finished 6th overall and secured a spot at the 2025 USARA National Championship as a regional qualifier. The next Regional Qualifier event is Raid the Rock, Dec 21 - 22 in central Arkansas.
Check out the Two Rivers race coverage site from Adventure Racing Insider.
The Gear Shed: Gear for Adventure Racing
Renew your membership to USARA and continue to save on gear at ExpertVoice!
REMINDER: A screenshot of the USARA membership from run signup will suffice for joining ExpertVoice. Directions are available on our membership page.
News from the Adventure Race/Endurance World
The thisABILITY Adventures Podcast: The Race Ramble Fall Foliage 2024
The Travis Macy Show: Building Community Through Endurance Sports with Kenny Wilcox
Injuries in adventure racing athletes study
The 2025 Tour de France Reveal: An Excruciating Vertical Monster
Opinion: E-MTB Is Awesome. Why Does It Leave Me Cold?
Man fulfils dream by paddling pumpkin boat record 73 km down US river
Upcoming USARA Adventure Race Events
Tracking Links by Adventure Enablers
November
MAFF Adventure Race, WI, Nov. 2 TRACKING SITE
Off Road Rage Adventure Race, MO, Nov. 2 TRACKING SITE
December
Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge-Winter Edition, WI, Dec. 7
Enigma Adventure Race, FL, Dec. 14
Raid the Rock, AR, Dec 21 *RQ*
March 2025
Frozen Foot Challenge Adventure Race, VA, Mar. 15
Extreme Break Up Adventure Race, Mar. 22
Chislom Trail Adventure Race, TX, Mar. 28, *RQ*
The Great Owl, Mar. 29
April 2025
Stubborn Fool Adventure Race, WI, Apr. 5
DMV Adventure Race, VA, Apr. 5
Shenandoah Epic, VA, Apr. 12, *RQ*
Knox Xtreme Adventure Race, TN, Apr. 12
Spring Bloom Adventure Race 15 Hour, VA, Apr. 26
Spring Bloom Adventure Race 4 Hour, VA, Apr. 27
May 2025
Ceberus Stage Race, VA, May 2
Expedition Oregon, OR, May 17
New River Rush Adventure Race, WV, May 17
Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge, WI, May 24
June 2025
Teton Ogre Adventure Race, ID, Jun. 14 *RQ*
Unbridled Women Adventure Race, Jun. 14
Endless Mountains Adventure Race, VT, Jun. 21
Midwest Champsionhsip AR, KS, Jun. 21 *RQ*
Seven Bends Adventure Race, Jun. 22
Rainer Raid, WA, Jun. 28 *RQ*
Stubborn Mule Advenutre Race, Jun. 28 *RQ*
July 2025
Never Summer Adventure Race, CO, Jul. 12 *RQ*
Maine Summer Adventure Race, ME, Jul. 12 *RQ*
Pocket Gopher Challenges, MN, Jul. 18 *RQ*
The Longest Day, NY, Jul. 26 *RQ*
August 2025
Cowboy Tough, WY, Aug. 8
September 2025
Shenandoah River Adventure Race, VA, Sept. 6
2025 USARA National Championship, ??, Sept. 12-13
October 2025
La Pine Loop, OR, Oct. 17
Adventure race adventure racing USARA Adventure Race National Championship mountain biking trail running paddling kayak canoeing orienteering compass trekking expedition race adventure race for beginners eco challenge adventure triathlon MTB running trails near me