The Transition: AR News and Updates
Friday, February 27, 2026
International Race Classification System
Some new icons might start appearing on adventure race descriptions, websites, and calendars.
The International Adventure Racing Association (IARA) has adopted an International Race Classification System. This system was unanimously passed by members at the 2026 annual general meeting in January.
According to the IARA, this system addresses the current lack of consistency in race descriptions around the world. By standardizing technical definitions, there is a clear pathway for new participants to enter the sport and progress, while allowing experienced athletes to easily identify race formats suited to their goals.
IARA developed the Race Classification System, using examples from the World Triathlon, Mountain Biking, and Trail Running to guide their process.
Discovery Races are 1.5 to 5 hours that provide a low barrier to entry to novices while giving experienced racers a venue for training or mentorship.
Challenge Races are 5 to 12 hours with an increase in physical endurance requirements.
Endurance Races are 12 to 48 hours and introduce overnight racing.
Expedition Races are 48 hours to 10 days and are characterized as the “pinnacle format” requiring high levels of fitness, self-reliance, and technical skills.
More information on the classification system is available on the IARA website.
Open Registration
Registration is now open to everyone for the USARA 2026 National Championship race on a first-come, first-served basis.
The 2026 USARA Adventure Race National Championships are open to TEAMS OF FOUR only, in mixed gender, all-women and all-men divisions. While there is not a separate Masters category for registration purposes, we will recognize the top Masters team from whatever division. Masters is defined as an average age of 50 and minimum age of 45 for all team members.
Registration is $400 per racer, and includes live tracking through Enabled Tracking, maps and course instructions, electronic timing chip, race insurance and permits, souvenir race shirt, finisher medal, post-race food and beverage, and awards ceremony.
Winners in the Mixed Gender category of the current season’s Regional Qualifier races will receive an $800 race credit toward their team’s entry to Nationals.
Race Report
A tiny Matt Wilson appeared over my shoulder and said "don’t get in the car, that’s where the fire is"…
Read all about Jesse Hagberg’s virtual Chill Race and if he heeded Matt Wilson’s sage advice.
Gear Shed
QR Code for ExpertVoice
Your $35 yearly membership to USARA gives you access to special deals from ExpertVoice including flash deals on ALTRA shoes!
REMINDER: A screenshot of the USARA membership from run signup will suffice for joining ExpertVoice. Directions are available on our membership page.
Squirt Cycling Products USA will be a sponsor of this year's USARA National Championships.
News from the Adventure Race/Endurance World
A MAGNIficent Return: New Zealand’s Premier Expedition Race Gears Up for a Global Showdown
Two motions passed at the IARA’s 2nd AGM
You Can Bikepack Among Wild Elk In Pennsylvania
Racing under the Northern Lights
Running Ultra-Marathons May Harm Your Blood Cells, Study Warns
New Jackrabbit trailhead opens in Keene after years of planning
New program aims to expand adaptive access on Wasatch Back trails
Upcoming USARA Sanctioned Events
Tracking Links by Adventure Enablers
Visit the Community Race Calendar for More Races
March 2026
Extreme Break Up, OK, Mar. 7
Great Owl, OH, Mar. 14 (REGISTRATION CLOSES 3/12)
Frozen Foot Challenge Adventure Race, VA, Mar. 14
Lake Kissimmee Endurance Challenge, FL, Mar. 21
LBL Challenge, KY, Mar. 28 (REGISTRATION CLOSES 3/20)
April 2026
2026 Shenandoah Epic, VA, Apr. 11 **RQ** (REGULAR REGISTRATION CLOSES 2/28)
Stubborn Fool, WI, Apr. 11 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 2/21)
Crooked Compass (Rogaine), PA, Apr 18 (REGULAR REGISTRATION CLOSES 3/1)
Knox Xtreme Adventure Race, TN, Apr. 25 (REGISTRATION CLOSES 4/20)
Spring Bloom Adventure Race, VA, Apr. 25 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 2/28)
Sufferfest in the Styx, FL, Apr. 25 **RQ** (REGISTRATION CLOSES 3/29)
SunRiver Scramble, OR, Apr. 25
SunRiver Family Race, OR, Apr. 26
May 2026
Midwest Championship Adventure Race--24-hr Ozarks Challenge, MO, May 2 **RQ** (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 3/1)
Rock, Roll & Rattlesnake Challenge Adventure Race -- 16hr, TX, May 2 **RQ** (REGISTRATION CLOSES 4/28)
Eastern Shore Sprint 6-Hour AR, DE, May 2 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 3/2)
Mission Adventure Race, IN, May 2 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 3/31)
Cerberus 3 Day Stage Race, VA, May 8 (REGISTRATION CLOSES 4/26)
New River Rush, WV, May 16 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 3/3)
3ROC’s Pay What You Want Adventure Race, PA, May 16 (REGISTRATION CLOSES 5/16)
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** (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 2/28)
June 2026
Rainer Raid -- 30hr, WA, Jun. 6 **RQ**
Summer Sizzle Adventure Race - Saturday, VA, Jun. 13
Summer Sizzle Adventure Race - Sunday, VA, Jun. 14
Union Bay Weeknight Adventure Race, WA, Jun. 16
Endless Mountains Adventure Race, VT, Jun. 22-27
Endless Mountains Lite, MA, Jun. 26
Stubborn Mule, WI, Jun. 27 **RQ**
July 2026
Maine Summer Adventure Race - 24hr, ME, Jul. 11 **RQ**
Seven Bends Adventure Race, VA, Jul. 11
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
Creve Coeur 4 Adventure Race, MO, Aug. 29
September 2026
East Fork Challenge, OH, Sept. 12
Greenhorn Adventure Race, MD, Sep. 12
VentureQuest Adventure Race, MD, Sep. 12
San Francisco Adventure Race, CA, Sep. 19
La Pine Loop Race Weekend, OR, Sept. 19-20
La Pine Loop Family Race, OR, Sept. 20
Coastal Traverse, DE, Sept. 26
October 2026
Wild Driftless Adventure Race, IA, Oct. 3
Central Indiana Adventure (CIA), IN, Oct. 3
Fall Foliage Adventure Race, VA, Oct. 10 EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE Apr. 1
USARA National Championships, OR, Oct. 23-24
Off Road Rage Adventure Race, MO, Oct. 24
November 2026
Rocktown Adventure Race, VA, Nov. 7
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.
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