The Transition: AR News and Updates

Written By Bill Donohue

Friday, July 18, 2025

Fuel the Youth Movement

Team Full Steam Ahead (L to R: Coach Jeremy Johnson, Jossalyn Henry, Lillian Cheesman, Jared Monge, Jeremy Bel)

Thanks to the support of family, friends and the global adventure racing community, Maryland-based Team Full Steam Ahead will be on the starting line at the Wilderness Traverse.

The classic 30-hour Canadian adventure race will be hosting the Adventure Racing World Series North American Championship in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada on July 26 & 27th, 2025. Four high school students will be leveling up to take on their first overnight adventure race, racing alongside some of the strongest teams in North America.

How does Full Steam Ahead end up bound for a big race in Canada? It takes a village. In Spring 2025, word of the Full Steam Ahead AR club was spreading, supported by an appearance on The Dark Zone the adventure racing podcast hosted by New Jersey-based Brian Gatens. Gatens will be onsite helping with media at the ARWS NA Championship. After Wayne Leek from Wilderness Traverse heard the episode, he sent Brian a message: “Great episode. Are you bringing those kids to Canada?” Both men are passionate about adventure racing and well connected within the global adventure racing community. After more messages, a plan was hatched: if Full Steam Ahead is ready for the challenge, perhaps the adventure racing community can help get them on the start line.

With a goal established, the team is stepping up. After initial discussions with Mr. Johnson to assess if the team was ready for the challenge (they are!), required buy ins from families and the school were obtained and fundraising began to help cover team travel expenses, including a donation from USARA. The four strongest athletes selected for the team began training in earnest, working on endurance and navigation, aided by Mr. Johnson. Additional training support came from adventure racing veteran Jesse Tubb, with other racers helping out with gear and advice including

With the team focused, the global AR community has stepped up to help make it happen. Every appeal was met with enthusiasm and a coalition of support came together. The team acknowledges and appreciates the various organizations and stakeholders who are providing a variety of support, including the United States Adventure Racing Association, the Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS), the International Adventure Racing Association (IARA), the Canadian Adventure Racing Association (CARA), The Darkzone Adventure Racing Podcast, Adventure Enablers, Broad Run Off Road, and   Wilderness Traverse. Much gently used gear was collected from racers for use by the team.

It's a good news story that happens in schools around the world: good teachers go beyond just teaching to help ignite passions within their students. Jeremy Johnson teaches social studies at Brunswick High School in Western Maryland. An avid adventure racer, Mr. Johnson’s sharing of his race stories ignited the curiosity of his students, leading to the formation of Full Steam Ahead, the high school’s adventure racing club in 2021. A growing group of students develop skills, participate in training outings, and organize short races aided by Mr. Johnson.

The club has a growing “gear closet” to outfit young racers. Members have advanced to longer regional adventure races, including the Spring Bloom Adventure Race in Virginia, a 15-hour event presented by Broad Run Off Road.

Adventure racing is a team sport and Full Steam Ahead is working on getting gear organized and refining their team strategy and roles. Jeremy is primary navigator with Jossalyn backing him up. Jared is the rabbit out front, Lillian is the cheerleader, and both help with pacecounting.

Team goals for the race? “Finish the race within 30 hours under our own power, but the paramount goal will for us to be friends at the end of this experience. We’re also thankful for all of our parents for supporting us and Mr. Johnson for all of his support.”

Follow the team on Instagram: @bhs_full_steam_ahead

Race Report Roundup

Endles Mountains from Meg Stefels, Team Spart Parts/Narly Expedition

MSAR 2025 from the lead navigator of Broad Run Off Road—Allen Wagner

MSAR 2025 from the team’s punch monkey—Wild Bill Donohue

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.

The Gear Shed: Gear for Adventure Racing

You’ll be ready for discounts at Expert Voice with a $35 membership to USARA!

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

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

Bill Donohue
Next

The Transition: AR News and Updates