The Transition: AR News and Updates
Friday, August 28, 2026
2026-2027 Regional Qualifiers
The 2025-2026 season is coming to an end, but the 2026-2027 Adventure Race season is right on our blistered heels.
The Fig Adventure Race from 361 Adventures on November 7 will be the first Regional Qualifier Race.
As Kentucky’s longest-running adventure race, the Red River Gorge area race promises something BIG. And from the gear list, that something involves packrafts.
The full slate of Regional Qualifier races should be available by the end of October.
Volunteer for Nationals
The 2026 USARA National Championship needs YOU!
The racers get the glory—but volunteers make the adventure happen! Join us for an unforgettable weekend of teamwork, excitement, and outdoor adventure as the nation’s best adventure racers compete for the USARA National Championship Oct. 23-24.
Here’s what fellow volunteers and racers have to say:
Laura: “It is a great way to gain an understanding of how AR are run, especially if you are just a friend/family member. And if you are already a racer, it is an awesome community and you learn tips and tricks for your own races.”
Allen: “Be a part of the community and help put on the event that brings racers from around the nation together.”
Justin: “It’s another opportunity for teamwork and problem solving. Free navigation practice when setting and clearing courses. Volunteer group chats are entertaining!”
Sharmagh: “It’s a great way to meet new people and possibly new teammates, make new friends, and be a part of the community in a different way. Volunteering is just as fun as racing, without the stress of a time crunch!”
Whether you’re a longtime adventure-racing fan or completely new to the sport, there’s a place for you on the team. Help at transitions, support race operations, welcome racers, or simply be part of the crew behind the scenes.
Come for the race. Stay for the adventure. Leave knowing you helped make it happen.
Volunteer for the 2026 USARA National Championship!
Sign up. Bring a friend. Be part of the team.
Email Nationals@usara.com for more information or to sign up!
Gear Shed
The $50 yearly membership to USARA provides access to discounts at ExpertVoice!
REMINDER: A screenshot of the USARA membership from run signup will suffice for joining ExpertVoice. Directions are available on our membership page.
USARA annual members receive a 30% discount on custom apparel from PACTIMO and up to two free revisions on initial designs. To get started, email us at info@usara.com and we'll get you connected!
MRS Adventure Race Bundles
Racers competing at USARA National Championships can receive a FREE "Adventure Race Essentials" bundle from sponsor MRS packrafts with every packraft purchase.
To claim the free bundle, racers should add both a packraft and the bundle to their cart, and then use code “USARA”, which will adjust the price of the bundle to FREE!
News from the Adventure Race/Endurance World
The thisABILITY Adventures Podcast—The Race Ramble: Teton Ogre 2026
The Bend Racing Podcast—Bend Racing’s Legends: The Magnificent Andrea Anderson
Mark Wahlberg's 108-Minute Dog Adventure Movie Is Getting A Second Life On Netflix
Mike Woods Did Leadville and Got Flashbacks to One of the Craziest Races on the Road Calendar
Upcoming USARA Sanctioned Events
Tracking Links by Adventure Enablers
Visit the Community Race Calendar
for More Races
August 2026
The Big Bear Kids Adventure Race, CA, Aug. 28-30
Creve Coeur 4 Adventure Race, MO, Aug. 29
Unbridled Women Adventure Race, KY, Aug. 29
September 2026
East Fork Challenge, OH, Sept. 12 (REGISTRATION ENDS 9/5)
Greenhorn Adventure Race, MD, Sep. 12 (REGISTRATION ENDS 9/9)
VentureQuest Adventure Race, MD, Sep. 12 (REGISTRATION ENDS 9/9)
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
Battle by the Brook, CO, Sept 19 (REGISTRATION ENDS 9/18)
La Pine Loop Family Race, OR, Sept. 20
Reservoir Ramble, IN, Sept. 20 (REGISTRATION ENDS 9/13)
Buff Betty Women’s Adventure Race, VA, Sept. 26 (PRICE INCREASE 8/30)
Coastal Traverse, DE, Sept. 26 (REGISTRATION ENDS 9/22)
DASH Adventure Race, UT, Sept. 26 (REGISTRATION ENDS 9/20)
October 2026
Central Indiana Adventure (CIA), IN, Oct. 3 (PRICE INCREASE 8/31)
Sleep When You’re Dead, CO, Oct. 3 (REGISTRATION ENDS 9/19)
Wild Driftless Adventure Race, IA, Oct. 3 (PRICE INCREASE 8/31)
Fall Foliage Adventure Race, VA, Oct. 10 (REGISTRATION ENDS 10/9)
USARA National Championships, OR, Oct. 23-24 (REGISTRATION CLOSES WHEN FIELD IS FULL)
Off Road Rage Adventure Race, MO, Oct. 24
November 2026
Milwaukee Area Fall Frenzy (MAFF), WI, NOV. 7 ((PRICE INCREASE 9/12))
Rocktown Adventure Race, VA, Nov. 7 (REGISTRATION ENDS 10/20)
The Fig, KY, Nov. 7 **REGIONAL QUALIFIER**
December 2026
Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge—Winter Edition, WI, Dec. 5
April 2027
2027 Shenandoah Epic, VA, Apr. 10
May 2027
Spring Bloom Adventure Race, VA, May 1 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 12/31)
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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