The Transition: AR News and Updates

Written By Bill Donohue

Friday, February 6, 2026

TRAILER | Racing the Storm

USARA is excited to share a new film by director Jack Knellinger showcasing the 2024 National Championship race in West Virginia. For those unaware, the Championship that year was not only a challenging course, but made all more by remnants of Hurricane Helene. The full film will premiere on 2/7/2026 at 9 am EST via the USARA YouTube channel.

Film Description:

Returning as the defending champions of the Master's Division at the US Adventure Racing National Championships, Team Odyssey Adventure Racing sets out on the thirty hour race while facing ruthless weather conditions.

Director's Statement:

“Adventure racers often say that you’ll never understand what they do until you do it yourself. I took that as a challenge, setting the goal of giving the audience an experience as close to an actual adventure race as possible. With cameras down on the ground with the athletes to expose the grit and determination it takes to race nonstop for thirty hours in the wilderness, “Racing the Storm” offers a human story of endurance and perseverance that follows a seemingly superhuman team.

By far, our crew’s biggest challenge in documenting the race was dealing with the constant wind and rain brought on by the remnants of Hurricane Helene. The extreme weather conditions forced our crew to sacrifice some tools we often take for granted such as full access to camera controls or a clear view of the images we were capturing, yet it felt fitting for our crew to fight through the same forces of nature as the athletes.”

- Jack Knellinger

Open Registration

Registration is now open to eveyyone 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.

Gear Shed

QR Code for ExpertVoice

Your $35 yearly membership to USARA gives you access to special deals from ExpertVoice!

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

USARA MEMBERSHIP

Squirt Cycling Products USA will be a sponsor of this year's USARA National Championships. 

Upcoming USARA Sanctioned Events

Tracking Links by Adventure Enablers

Visit the Community Race Calendar for More Races

February 2026

Apex Endurance Challenge, FL, Feb. 7

The Jailbreak Adventure Race, TX, Feb. 21

March 2026

Extreme Break Up, OK, Mar. 7 **Price Increase Feb. 6**

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**

Stubborn Fool, WI, Apr. 11

Crooked Compass (Rogaine), PA, Apr 18

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

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

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

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

USARA National Championships, OR, Oct. 23-24

November 2026

Rocktown Adventure Race, VA, Nov. 7

The Fig, KY, Nov. 7

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