The Transition: AR News and Updates

Friday, October 30, 2026


2026 USARA National Championship / ARWS North America Championship Recap

The 2026 USARA National Championships played out October 23-24 as an epic test of endurance through the Umpqua National Forest of southern Oregon.  Designed by Bend Racing's Jason Magness and Darren Steinbach, the race had all the emotions of an expedition, distilled into 32 hours.


This year’s race also served as the ARWS North America Championship, adding to the urgency felt by podium contenders in the premier mixed gender category.  The title was captured by 4-Hour Fuel (Chelsey Magness, Dusty Caseria, Emily Caseria, and Matthias Arnbert), earning them a free entry to the 2027 ARWS World Championship in Croatia.

Team 4-Hour Fuel of Chelsey Magness, Matthias Arnbert, Dusty Caseria, and Emily Caseria was the overall winner.

In the all-women division, Mountain Goat Adventure Girls (Carey Lowery, Susie Farmer, Kristy McBride, Lisa Randall) came to challenge the Women of AR for the title, and succeeded.  They claimed first in their division and an impressive 5th place overall.

Team Mountain Goat Adventure Girls won the Women’s Division and placed 5th overall.

In the all-men division, Toporadicals (Nathan Graves, Ryan Pence, Brian Rodenbeck, Scott Ramon) took top honors, finishing with less than one hour to spare.  They were just one of many teams who took advantage of those two extra hours allowed to tackle this big course that took teams as low as the North Umpqua River and as high as the summit of Mount Bailey.

Team Toporadicals won the Men’s division.

The top Master’s team (minimum age of 45 and average age of 50 among all team members) was Manny’s Pale Ale (Clint Arney, Tamara Armstrong, Marty Couret, Chip Palzer), a Washington team that came out of AR retirement to compete in the first Nationals ever held in the Pacific Northwest.

Manny’s Pale Ale was the top Master’s team (minimum age of 45 and average age of 50 among all team members.

Results are now final. For a flavor of the spectacular scenery, check out the official race recap video. Need more stoke, rewatch the absolute craziness that was the 2024 Nationals!


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!


National Championship Sponsors & Partners



Upcoming USARA Sanctioned Events

Tracking Links by Adventure Enablers

Visit the Community Race Calendar

for More Races


November 2026

Milwaukee Area Fall Frenzy (MAFF), WI, NOV. 7 (REGISTRATION ENDS 10/31)

Rocktown Adventure Race, VA, Nov. 7

The Fig, KY, Nov. 7 **REGIONAL QUALIFIER** (REGISTRATION ENDS 11/1)

Raid the Rock Adventure Race, Nov. 21 (PRICE INCREASE 10/31)

December 2026

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

January 2027

Winter Warm-Up, MD, Jan. 9 (REGISTRATION ENDS 1/6/27)

April 2027

2027 Shenandoah Epic, VA, Apr. 10

May 2027

Spring Bloom Adventure Race, VA, May 1 (PRICE INCREASE AFTER 12/31)

Rockbridge Adventure Race, VA, May 22

October 2027

Wild Driftless, IA, Oct. 2 (REGISTRATION OPENS 1/4/27)


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

Previous
Previous

PARTICIPANTS WANTED

Next
Next

The Transition: AR News and Updates