The Transition: AR News and Updates

Friday, April 16, 2026


Adventure Race to Honor Jason Schmidt

On June 13th in Columbia, SC, GRIT Adventure Racing will be hosting the first annual JAB, Jason’s Adventure Bash Adventure Race in honor of Jason Schmidt.

A year ago, Jason who is a friend of Race Director Nick Hurff, asked for help bringing an adventure race to life in his hometown of Columbia, SC.

With the whitewater rivers and amazing small city, Nick worked with Jason to design and permit a race course.

After his tragic passing in February from a motor vehicle accident while racing, race organizers were unsure what to do and even paused registrations.

Then quickly Liz (Jason’s wife) made it clear she wanted the race to continue because it’s what Jason would have wanted.

“Jason fell in love with adventure racing just a few years ago,” says Liz. “Not only the physical challenge of it but he also loved using his mind to navigate with a compass and a map and find his way through the wilderness.

“He wanted to bring adventure racing to Columbia and was building a race with the help of Grit Adventure Racing to host here in June. Join us in celebrating Jason and his love for adventure with either the 12 hr Soda City Odyssey or the family friendly Soda City Scramble!”

Some of Jason’s close friends and the local community have rallied in support. With a simple name change, Grit Adventure Racing has announced the first annual JAB Adventure Race; Jason’s Adventure Bash. Of note, Jason largely designed this course himself.

Not only will there be an exciting race course, but the race will support a good cause. 50% of proceeds go to a college fundraiser for Jason ad Liz’s three children.

Events will also feature a celebration post race, which is what Jason wanted.

Visit GRIT Adventure Racing for details on how you can join the celebration.


Gear Shed

USARA annual members receive a 30% discount on custom apparel from PACTIMO orders and up to two free revisions on initial designs.To get started, email us at info@usara.com and we'll get you connected!

The $50 yearly membership to USARA also helps you save with special deals from ExpertVoice including ways to reduce muscle strain!

REMINDER: A screenshot of the USARA membership from run signup will suffice for joining ExpertVoice. Directions are available on our membership page.


Race Report



Upcoming USARA Sanctioned Events

Tracking Links by Adventure Enablers

Visit the Community Race Calendar

for More Races

April 2026

Crooked Compass (Rogaine), PA, Apr 18

Spring Bloom Adventure Race, VA, Apr. 25 (SOLD OUT—WAITLIST)(LIVE TRACKING LINK)

Sufferfest in the Styx, FL, Apr. 25 **RQ**

SunRiver Scramble, OR, Apr. 25

SunRiver Family Race, OR, Apr. 26

May 2026

Eastern Shore Sprint 6-Hour AR, DE, May 2 (REGISTRATION CLOSES 4/28)

Mission Adventure Race, IN, May 2 (REGISTRATION CLOSES 4/25)

Midwest Championship Adventure Race--24-hr Ozarks Challenge, MO, May 2 **RQ**

Rock, Roll & Rattlesnake Challenge Adventure Race -- 16hr, TX, May 2 **RQ** (REGISTRATION CLOSES 4/28)

Cerberus 3 Day Stage Race, VA, May 8 (REGISTRATION CLOSES 4/26)

New River Rush, WV, May 16 (REGISTRATION CLOSES 5/2)

3ROC’s Pay What You Want Adventure Race, PA, May 16 (REGISTRATION CLOSES 5/1)

Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge, WI, May 23

Brake the Habit, WV, May 30 **RQ** (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 5/3)

Tug Hill Extreme -- 24hr, NY, May 30 **RQ**

June 2026

Rainer Raid -- 30hr, WA, Jun. 6 **RQ**

Summer Sizzle Adventure Race - Saturday, VA, Jun. 13 (REGISTRATION CLOSES 6/12)

Jason’s Adventure Bash, SC, Jun. 13

Summer Sizzle Adventure Race - Sunday, VA, Jun. 14 (REGISTRATION CLOSES 6/12)

Union Bay Weeknight Adventure Race, WA, Jun. 16

Endless Mountains Adventure Race, VT, Jun. 22-27 (REGISTRATION CLOSES 5/1)

Endless Mountains Lite, MA, Jun. 26 (REGISTRATION CLOSES 4/30)

Stubborn Mule, WI, Jun. 27 **RQ**

July 2026

Maine Summer Adventure Race - 24hr, ME, Jul. 11 **RQ** (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 5/31)

Seven Bends Adventure Race, VA, Jul. 11 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 4/30)

Pocket Gopher Extreme, MN, Jul. 17

ChattARnooga Adventure Race, TN, Jul. 18

The Longest Day -- 24hr, NY, Jul. 25 **RQ**

Teton Ogre -- 24hr, ID, Jul. 25 **RQ**'

August 2026

Cowboy Tough, WY, Aug. 7

After Dark Adventure Race, KY, Aug. 22

Quarry Mountain Quest, CO, Aug. 22

Shenandoah River Adventure Race, VA, Aug. 22 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 5/22)

Creve Coeur 4 Adventure Race, MO, Aug. 29

Unbridled Women Adventure Race, KY, Aug. 29

September 2026

East Fork Challenge, OH, Sept. 12

Greenhorn Adventure Race, MD, Sep. 12

VentureQuest Adventure Race, MD, Sep. 12 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 6/12)

Gold Rush Adventure Challenge, CA, Sep. 19 (REGISTRATION ENDS 9/12)

La Pine Loop Race Weekend, OR, Sept. 19-20

Blue Hills Adventure Race, MA, Sept. 19

La Pine Loop Family Race, OR, Sept. 20

Reservoir Ramble, IN, Sept. 20 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 5/31)

Coastal Traverse, DE, Sept. 26 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 7/26)

DASH Adventure Race, UT, Sept. 26 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 6/1)

October 2026

Central Indiana Adventure (CIA), IN, Oct. 3 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 8/31)

Wild Driftless Adventure Race, IA, Oct. 3 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 7/31)

Fall Foliage Adventure Race, VA, Oct. 10 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 7/23 )

USARA National Championships, OR, Oct. 23-24

Off Road Rage Adventure Race, MO, Oct. 24

November 2026

Rocktown Adventure Race, VA, Nov. 7 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 4/30)

The Fig, KY, Nov. 7

December 2026

Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge—Winter Edition, WI, Dec. 5



Have an adventure story, race report or an article to share with fellow adventure racers? Send it to social@usara.com for inclusion in the Transition.

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

Next
Next

The Transition: AR News and Updates