The Transition: AR News and Updates

Written By Bill Donohue

Friday, March 6, 2026

The ARWS New Zealand expedition race the Magnificent will be finishing Saturday. Brothers Andrew and Jason Magness (the latter is RD of the 2026 USARA National Championships) promised an adrenaline-pumping, eye popping expedition adventure race in New Zealand with a nod toward past iconic events in the Southlands.

The event featured a return to the "unsupported" format to make it easier and more of a level playing field for international teams. Read about the unique and deep challenges in the race on the coverage website as well as updates from Team THISability Racing on their facebook page.

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.

Honoring Jason Schmidt’s Legacy of Adventure

The adventure race community lost one of its own when Jason Schmidt, solo racer, was hit and killed by a vehicle while on a biking stage at the Sea to Sea Adventure Race. Jason leaves behind a wife, three children, and a gaping hole, not only in his own personal community, but in ours.
 
For those who may struggle, we encourage you to reach out for support, whether it be to a loved one, a teammate, or perhaps a professional service trained to help people navigate such tragedies and traumas.
 
With that in mind, the following resources are available to you nationwide. If they don’t feel like they are the right fit, and you are struggling to find an alternative, please reach out to us as we may be able to help.

  • 211 - National organization that helps connect people to their local resources

  • NAMI Helpline - National peer-support service via phone, a supportive listening resource

  • Warmline directory - List of state-by-state "warm lines" (i.e., phone support for people not in crisis but needing to talk to someone who can connect you to additional resources)

 
If able to and interested in supporting Jason’s family, please consider helping as they start the long process of moving forward. For those who have already contributed, thank you. If you haven’t and have the means, you can contribute to a Go Fund Me campaign supporting Liz and their children. Whether you can contribute or not, please keep Jason, Liz, their children, and their community in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate the aftermath of tragic event.

Gear Shed

QR Code for ExpertVoice

Your $35 yearly membership to USARA gives you access to special deals from ExpertVoice including 30% off Smartwool!

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

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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Bill Donohue
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The Transition: AR News and Updates