The Transition: AR News and Updates

Written By Bill Donohue

Friday, January 2, 2026

2026 USARA National Championship

Priority registration is now open for the 2026 USARA National Championships, directed by Bend Racing, October 23 - 24, 2026, in Central Oregon!  If you've never raced in the high desert of the Pacific Northwest, you're in for something special.  This 30-hour race will cap off the 2026 AR season in the US by crowning champions in the elite mixed gender, all-female and all-male categories as well as recognize the top master's teams across all categories.  

New for 2026:  this year's race will be open to TEAMS OF FOUR only, and packrafts will be added to the gear list.  Look for additional details about packraft rental options in future newsletters.

Priority registration is open 1/1/26 - 1/31/26.  Open registration begins 2/1/26 at 6 pm Pacific Time.  

A priority registration link was emailed to racers on the Top 30 Mixed Gender and Top 10 All-Female and All-Male teams in the 2024-25 National Rankings.  That list can be found here.  If you were on one of these top-ranked teams and did not receive the priority registration email, it may be because we did not have a current email address for you.  Reach out to nationals@usara.com and we'll get you squared away.

Youth Sponsorship

Applications are due by January 15 for the USARA sponsorship of two teams—one in each of the U18 and U25 age groups—to compete at the first Youth Adventure Race World Championship! This landmark event will take place in Quebec, Canada from July 23–26.

Young athletes and adventure racers interested in representing Team USA on the world stage are invited to apply by completing the linked Google Form. USARA will sponsor the selected 2-person teams by covering entry fees for the inaugural event.

Gear Shed

QR Code for ExpertVoice

Your $35 yearly membership to USARA gives you access to deals from ExpertVoice to help fuel your New Year’s goals!

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

USARA MEMBERSHIP

Upcoming USARA Sanctioned Events

Tracking Links by Adventure Enablers

Visit the Community Race Calendar for More Races

January 2026

Winter Warm Up Adventure Race, MD, Jan. 10

The Chill: Winter Adventure Race, VA, Jan. 24

Wicked Winter Navigation Race (ROGAINE), WA, Jan. 31

February 2026

Apex Endurance Challenge, FL, Feb. 7

March 2026

Extreme Break Up, OK, Mar. 7

Great Owl, OH, Mar. 14

Frozen Foot Challenge Adventure Race, VA, Mar. 14

Lake Kissimmee Endurance Challenge, FL, Mar. 21

April 2026

2026 Shenandoah Epic, VA, Apr. 11 **RQ**

Stubborn Fool, WI, Apr. 11 EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE Jan. 17

Knox Xtreme Adventure Race, TN, Apr. 25

Spring Bloom Adventure Race, VA, Apr. 25

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

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**

Rock, Roll & Rattlesnake Challenge Adventure Race -- 16hr, TX, May 2 **RQ**

Eastern Shore Sprint 6-Hour AR, DE, May 2

Cerberus 3 Day Stage Race, VA, May 8

New River Rush, WV, May 16

3ROC’s Pay What You Want Adventure Race, PA, May 16

Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge, WI, May 23

Brake the Habit, VA, May 30 **RQ**

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

Summer Sizzle Adventure Race - Sunday, VA, Jun. 14

Union Bay Weeknight Adventure Race, WA, Jun. 16

Endless Mountains Adventure Race, VT, Jun. 22-27

Stubborn Mule, WI, Jun. 27 **RQ** EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE Jan. 10

July 2026

Maine Summer Adventure Race - 24hr, ME, Jul. 11 **RQ**

Seven Bends Adventure Race, VA, Jul. 11

Pocket Gopher Extreme, MN, Jul. 17

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

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

August 2026

Cowboy Tough, WY, Aug. 7

September 2026

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

October 2026

Wild Driftless Adventure Race, IA, Oct. 3

Fall Foliage Adventure Race, VA, Oct. 10 EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE Apr. 1

November 2026

Rocktown Adventure Race, VA, Nov. 11

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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Bill Donohue
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The Transition: AR News and Updates