Shenandoah Epic Adventure Race

Event overview

The Shenandoah Epic Adventure Race is a 24-hour adventure race held April 11-12, 2026 in Bentonville, Virginia, with a participant cap of 300 racers. The event offers individual (solo) and team divisions for two-, three-, and four-person teams. It is a USARA regional qualifier and part of the Adventure Racing World Series North American circuit. Prizes are awarded to the top three finishers in each division (Solo Male and Female; 2-, 3-, and 4-person Male, Female, and Coed), with additional cash awards for KOM times.

Course, gear and navigation

The course includes paddling, trekking, mountain biking, and map navigation across the Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain Range, with expected distances of roughly 25 miles of paddling, 25–35 miles of trekking, and 50–60 miles of mountain biking. Boats and personal flotation devices are supplied: soloists receive a kayak, two- and three-person teams receive one canoe, and four-person teams receive two canoes. Canoes come with single-blade paddles; kayaks come with double-bladed paddles. No outside canoes or kayaks are permitted; outside paddles and PFDs are allowed. Maps are 1:24,000 scale with UTM grid markings on waterproof paper; teams receive two map sets and soloists receive one. GPS devices are not allowed. Bikes must be the same bike used throughout the race; eBikes are prohibited.

Registration, rules and logistics

The event is based at Downriver Canoe Company, 884 Indian Hollow Rd, Bentonville, VA 22610. Registration pricing varies by date, with tiered fees for team members and soloists and an $8 race-day USARA fee or an option to use a valid USARA membership. Race rules follow ARWS Rules of Competition and supplemental General Race Rules. Mandatory gear is required and may be subject to random checks during the race. A post-race brunch and course photography are provided. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

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