The Longest Day Regional Championship Preview

The Longest Day, the next Regional Championship race in the National Points Series, kicks off with LIVE TRACKING at 9 AM Saturday, May 14 from the Catskills.

Just having racers toe the line for the start is a win for NYARA. The race was originally scheduled for western Connecticut, but the state wouldn't issue any permits due to logging activities in one section of the course.

"I have been adventure race planning non-stop for two months," says Aaron Courain, the main race director. "The course hasn't suffered at all. We were not going to just slap something together. I would want to race this course."

NYARA is very familiar with the Catskills, but the course is only reusing a few areas. And they haven't been used since 2009. The overall format will be a linear, point-to-point race.

"The racers will not see the same spot twice," says Courain. "There is a lot of ground to cover."

"We always get some good, fast teams here. Rootstock, Thisability, Strong Machine, Vert-- it will be a very strong premier division."

This will also be the first time that a NYARA race has featured packrafting.

"We are really excited about that added element. It will open up more options from a race designer point of view in the future."

NYARA is looking to design more races in the Catskills as well as the high peaks of the Adirondacks.