Bentonville Hosts the 2025 USARA Adventure Race National Championships

November 15, 2024

November 15th. /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The United States Adventure Racing Association National Championships are coming to Northwest Arkansas September 12-13, 2025. Based out of Bentonville, the race will see teams of three paddling, mountain biking, and trekking for 30 hours non-stop, using map and compass to locate remote checkpoints. The course is top secret until maps are given out race morning.

The race draws competitive teams from across the country vying for the title of National Champion in three divisions: mixed gender (premier category), all-women and all-men. Priority registration is given to the winning mixed gender teams from 15 Regional Qualifiers, as well as the top-ranking teams in the U.S. across all divisions. Registration then opens to the public.

USARA Executive Director Michael Garrison explains, “What really distinguishes adventure racing from other extreme sports is the emphasis on teamwork and navigation. To finish an adventure race, teams have to work together and keep moving in the right direction, using only a map and compass. To win, teams have to do that and also go very fast.”

USARA is partnering with the Ozark Foundation to produce the event, with support from Visit Bentonville and other community sponsors. “This is the first time in their 26-year history the USARA National Championships have come to The Natural State, and we’re excited for this opportunity to showcase the award-winning trail systems and beautiful bluffs that make the Ozarks a world-class adventure destination,” said Mike Spivey, Ozark Foundation President and CEO.

Learn more about adventure racing and the National Championship at www.usara.com.