The Transition: AR News and Updates

Written By Bill Donohue

Friday, November 22, 2024

UIPM Strikes “Adventure Racing” from Obstacle Sport Definition

Photo from IARA

The UIPM Congress on Nov. 16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, struck the the words ‘adventure racing’ from the definition of UIPM Sports.

According to the International Adventure Racing Association (IARA), the revision took out all of the proposed and listed standalone disciplines within Obstacle sports and was then passed.

“We have the UIPM Members that voted in favor of excluding 'adventure racing' from the proposed definition of UIPM Sports to thank for the successful exclusion of our sport from UIPM statutes,” according to a statement from the IARA.

The IARA reported that attempts to engage in conversation with Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM / World Pentathlon) were unsuccessful, so they reached out directly to the voting members (132 of them) for assistance.

Where previously the standalone disciplines of Obstacle sport were listed in the definition as ‘ninja, obstacle course racing (OCR) and adventure racing’, all three have now been removed.

The IARA also pointed out that there is still uncertainty.

“This is not the end though. While the wording Adventure Racing has been removed, we still have a battle to get World Obstacle to let go and to cease their claim on adventure racing, and remove it from their website. As World Obstacle still claims adventure racing and refuses to relinquish their self-declared hold, we remain at risk when the World Pentathlon and World Obstacle merge. In this light, we have written to UIPM Headquarters for confirmation that World Pentathlon will never make any claim on adventure racing, including when the merger with World Obstacle is finalized.”

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.

Upcoming USARA Adventure Race Events

Tracking Links by Adventure Enablers

December

Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge-Winter Edition, WI, Dec. 7 REGISTRATION CLOSES 12/1

Caloosa Fest Adventure Race, FL, Dec. 7

Enigma Adventure Race, FL, Dec. 14, REGISTRATION CLOSES 12/1

Raid the Rock, AR, Dec 21 *RQ*, PRICE INCREASE 11/30

March 2025

Save the Daylight Adventure Race, FL, Mar. 7, PRICE INCREASE 12/31

Extreme Break Up Adventure Race, Mar. 22

Adrenaline Rush, VA, Mar. 22, PRICE INCREASE 1/5

Chisholm Trail Adventure Race, TX, Mar. 28, *RQ*, PRICE INCREASE 1/31

The Great Owl, OH, Mar. 29

April 2025

Stubborn Fool Adventure Race, WI, Apr. 5, PRICE INCREASE 1/10

Shenandoah Epic, VA, Apr. 12, *RQ*, PRICE INCREASE 12/31

Knox Xtreme Adventure Race, TN, Apr. 12, PRICE INCREASE 1/2

Spring Bloom Adventure Race 15 Hour, VA, Apr. 26, PRICE INCREASE 12/31

Spring Bloom Adventure Race 4 Hour, VA, Apr. 27, PRICE INCREASE 12/31

May 2025

Ceberus Stage Race, VA, May 2

Eastern Shore Sprint 6-Hour AR, MD, May 3, PRICE INCREASE 12/15

Mission AR, IN, May 4

Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge, WI, May 24, PRICE INCREASE 1/31

Tug Hill Extreme Adventure, NY, May 28, PRICE INCREASE 3/31

June 2025

Teton Ogre Adventure Race, ID, Jun. 14 *RQ* PRICE INCREASE 2/28

Unbridled Women Adventure Race, Jun. 14, PRICE INCREASE, 12/31

Endless Mountains Adventure Race, VT, Jun. 21, PRICE INCREASE 12/31

Midwest Champsionhsip AR, KS, Jun. 21 *RQ*

Rainer Raid, WA, Jun. 28 *RQ*

Stubborn Mule Advenutre Race, Jun. 28 *RQ*, PRICE INCREASE 1/10

July 2025

Never Summer Adventure Race, CO, Jul. 12 *RQ*, PRICE INCREASE 1/31

Maine Summer Adventure Race, ME, Jul. 12 *RQ*

Pocket Gopher Challenges, MN, Jul. 18 *RQ*, PRICE INCREASE 5/17

The Longest Day, NY, Jul. 26 *RQ*

August 2025

Cowboy Tough, WY, Aug. 8, PRICE INCREASE 1/2

September 2025

2025 USARA National Championship, AR, Sept. 12-13

Battle by the Brook, CO, Sept. 20

VentureQuest, Sept. 28

October 2025

Off Road Rage AR, Oct. 25

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