The USARA Adventure Race National Championship is the "Heart & Soul" of Adventure Racing in the United States. Co-ed teams of 3 compete in 45 USARA regional qualifying events across the U.S. for a chance to battle it out for the title of USARA Adventure Race National Champion.

Teams are required to navigate a series of checkpoints using only a map and compass to guide them while transitioning between several disciplines such as: Trail Running/Trekking, Mountain Biking, Paddling and Orienteering.

These teams will have to push the boundaries of human endurance and teamwork just to finish. Winning will require extreme willpower, mastery of all disciplines, and a little luck.

The 2009 Coed USARA Adventure Race National Championship team will receive free entry to all 2010 Regional Qualifying Events.

The top 4 teams from each regional qualifying race qualify to compete in the USARA Adventure Race National Championship. This is a roll down system: If one of the top 4 teams does not accept, the slot will roll down to the 5th place team, etc. until 4 teams accept. Teams have 14 days from the day the USARA sends the National invitation to accept and submit a deposit before the slot rolls down to the next team.

Masters division at the USARA Adventure Race National Championship is open registration (masters teams do not have to qualify). All members of Masters teams must be 40 years old by 12-31 of that year (for example 12-31-2009 for the 2009 Championship). Contact the USARA to register your Masters team.

Collegiate teams wishing to participate in the USARA Adventure Race National Championship do not need to qualify. Collegiate teams have open registration. All members of Collegiate teams must be enrolled in at least 1 college class during the year of the championship. (Example taking at least 1 spring, fall or summer class during 2009 would qualify you to compete in the collegiate division at the 2009 Championship). Team members may be undergraduate or post graduate students and do not need to attend the same university. Collegiate teams will receive a lowered entry fee of $500.00. Contact the USARA to register your Collegiate team.