The Transition: AR News & Updates
Friday, December 8, 2023
Arthur The King and Mikael Lindnord
Brian Gatens of The Dark Zone: An Adventure Racing Podcast interviewed Mikael Lindnord—adventure racer extraordinaire and author of Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home, which has been made into a feature length film starring Mark Wahlberg as Lindnord.
International Adventure Racing Association Established
Lisa de Speville speaking about the formation of IARA / © Enrique Blanco/ Adventure Sports Media
A vote on Dec. 7, 2023 established the first Interim Committee to head the International Adventure Race Association (IARA), a culmination years in the making.
As reported by Sleepmonsters, the committee will guide the IARA until their first annual general meeting next year.
The establishment of the IARA has been long in the making for Lars Bukkeave who said in a Facbook post that his “dream became a reality".”
“Since I helped found Danish Adventure Race Union (DARU) back in 2010, it has also been a dream one day to help make an International Adventure Race Federation,” he posted.
“My first step was after Expedition India in 2019 where I talked with other racers with background in their national federation to start share experiences between federations and the possibility to make an international federation for the long term,” he added. “After that a working group started that connected with all the national federations. And originating from this, many new countries were inspired to make their own national federation or association, with support from already established ones.”
USARA will serve as the official United Sates representative to the IARA.
“We are encouraged to have a group come together and hopeful that the progress continues with countries in the AR community around the world supporting each other,” says Michael Garrison, USARA Executive Director.
The Gear Shed
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News from the Adventure/Endurance World
Part race, part party, Outside asks why anyone would compete in this Swiss ski race.
Anyone looking to spend more time on the bike might want to check out a 24-hour Gravel Race in Iceland or a race up the steepest street in Pittsburgh
EBikes are proving popular but insurance companies see the danger. No word on plans by Mark Harris to allow ebikes at the Epic in the near future.
USARA Events
May & June 2024
Mission Adventure Race, Versailles, IN, May 4 (RQ)
New River Rush Adventure Race, New River Gorge, WV, May 18
The Berryman Adventure Race, Emminence, MO, May 18 (RQ)
Teton Ogre Adventure Race, Swan Valley, ID, Jun 8 (RQ)
Stubborn Mule Adventure Race, Cable WI, Jun 29 (RQ)
**RQ= Regional Qualifier
