The Transition: AR News and Updates
Friday, November 15, 2024
Supported by:
2025 USARA National Championship
The United States Adventure Racing Association is partnering with the Ozark Foundation to produce the 2025 USARA National Championship event, with support from Visit Bentonville and other community sponsors.
Mike Spivey, Ozark Foundation President and CEO, commented, "We were excited to welcome adventure racing to Northwest Arkansas with Expedition Ozark, and look forward to showcasing more of the 400-mile award-winning trail systems and beautiful bluffs that make our part of the Ozarks a world-class adventure destination.”
Although details of the course are top secret until the race starts, USARA Executive Director Michael Garrison shared that the Nationals course will be unique.
“Expedition Ozark was outstanding, but we understand racers want to explore new places. We also want to preserve the integrity of the National Championships by ensuring teams don’t have an unfair advantage for having raced here before. Nearly all of the course will be over new terrain,” said Garrison.
The 30-hour format will allow teams more opportunity to explore Bentonville before and after the race, and discover why the Wall Street Journal in 2023 dubbed the city a “new capital of cool.” While adventure racers know Bentonville as a mountain biking mecca, the city is also home to the stunning Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Walmart Museum, Amazeum, and an eclectic culinary scene with award-winning chefs serving up farm-to-table menus and international flavors.
“In addition to our renowned singletrack mountain biking, we also have a variety of locally-owned shops and boutiques, public art installations, live music venues hosting nationally-acclaimed artists, and a vibrant night scene, ranging from local breweries and neighborhood pubs to contemporary cocktail bars and speakeasies,” offered Alison Nation, Vice President of Communications & Marketing for Visit Bentonville. “We’re also a kid-friendly city, with an award-winning children’s museum, a bike playground, watersports at Lake Bentonville, and hundreds of acres of parks, featuring splash pads, playgrounds, and beginner trails.”
The Gear Shed: Gear for Adventure Racing
A membership to USARA means big savings on gear at ExpertVoice!
REMINDER: A screenshot of the USARA membership from run signup will suffice for joining ExpertVoice. Directions are available on our membership page.
News from the Adventure Race/Endurance World
Glen Lewis of Strong Machine gives his race report on the 2024 USARA National Championship
Adventure Racing World Series Supports IARA and Campaign against World Obstacle and World Pentathlon
Liquids, “Brady Math,” and Road Super Shoes: How Riley Brady Won the Javelina Jundred
New trail running star is born as top pro triathlete Eric Lagerstrom WOWS on 50k debut
American runners set 100-mile running record in freezing Antarctica
What Should We Do with Influencers Who Disrupt Races?
Youth Mountain Bikers Compete At Regional Championships
Want to earn a college varsity letter in freeskiing or mountain biking? Westminster’s the place
Upcoming USARA Adventure Race Events
Tracking Links by Adventure Enablers
December
Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge-Winter Edition, WI, Dec. 7
Enigma Adventure Race, FL, Dec. 14
Raid the Rock, AR, Dec 21 *RQ*
March 2025
Frozen Foot Challenge Adventure Race, VA, Mar. 15
Extreme Break Up Adventure Race, Mar. 22
Chislom Trail Adventure Race, TX, Mar. 28, *RQ*
The Great Owl, Mar. 29
April 2025
Stubborn Fool Adventure Race, WI, Apr. 5
DMV Adventure Race, VA, Apr. 5
Shenandoah Epic, VA, Apr. 12, *RQ*
Knox Xtreme Adventure Race, TN, Apr. 12
Spring Bloom Adventure Race 15 Hour, VA, Apr. 26
Spring Bloom Adventure Race 4 Hour, VA, Apr. 27
May 2025
Ceberus Stage Race, VA, May 2
Expedition Oregon, OR, May 17
New River Rush Adventure Race, WV, May 17
Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge, WI, May 24
June 2025
Teton Ogre Adventure Race, ID, Jun. 14 *RQ*
Unbridled Women Adventure Race, Jun. 14
Endless Mountains Adventure Race, VT, Jun. 21
Midwest Champsionhsip AR, KS, Jun. 21 *RQ*
Seven Bends Adventure Race, Jun. 22
Rainer Raid, WA, Jun. 28 *RQ*
Stubborn Mule Advenutre Race, Jun. 28 *RQ*
July 2025
Never Summer Adventure Race, CO, Jul. 12 *RQ*
Maine Summer Adventure Race, ME, Jul. 12 *RQ*
Pocket Gopher Challenges, MN, Jul. 18 *RQ*
The Longest Day, NY, Jul. 26 *RQ*
August 2025
Cowboy Tough, WY, Aug. 8
September 2025
Shenandoah River Adventure Race, VA, Sept. 6
2025 USARA National Championship, ??, Sept. 12-13
October 2025
La Pine Loop, OR, Oct. 17
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