DATE: 23-26 July 2026
IARA would like to congratulate and acknowledge Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS), the Region of Temiscamigue, and local event organisers Endurance Aventure for leading the way in bringing the first Junior Adventure Racing World Championship to the international adventure racing community.
This is a significant event for the sport of adventure racing globally, bringing teams and young people together from around the world to compete in the first Junior Adventure Racing World Championship. The event will also serve to inspire young adventure racers from many countries and to motivate national federations and adventure racers to engage and support more youth events and participation in the sport.
IARA is delighted to endorse and promote the event to all member countries and the international community, and assist ARWS, the Region of Temiscamigue, and Endurance Aventure in every way we can.
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, 1 December 2025: Pre-registration opens on www.trireg.com/ar-jr-world-2026
Saturday, 14 February 2026: Deadline for IARA member country team nominations, together with confirmation of pre-registration (sent to IARA General Secretary at contact@internationaladventureracing.org)
Saturday, 28 February 2026: Last date for notification of selected teams by the stakeholders. Teams that accept their place must promptly complete full registration (payment of registration fee, submission of team information)
23 – 26 July 2026: Dates of the first Junior Adventure Racing World Championship
MEDIA RELEASES & DOCUMENTS
28 November 2026, Event and registration guidance document (PDF, DOWNLOAD)
This document presents the event overview, registration fee, national participation criteria, team registration process and guidance points.
26 November 2026, Canada to host first Junior AR World Championship
The announcement of the first Junior Adventure Racing World Championship in Canada for 23-26 July 2026 READ MORE
10 October 2026: JARWC proposal presentation DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION DRAFT
This presentation outlines the background, host country & location, event format, team format, disciplines, duration and other content.
10 October 2026: National Team Selection guidance
We have developed this guidance document outlining three recommended selection models. We encourage you to review these options and choose the method that best suits your national adventure racing landscape and development goals. READ MORE
LINKS & MEDIA
Event website: www.arwsjuniorworld.com
Pre-registration website: www.trireg.com/ar-jr-world-2026
Junior Adventure Racing World Championship Teaser video www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_amgE93Ius
How to Inspire the Next Generation of Adventure Racers (International Adventure Racing Conference) – www.youtube.com/live/hfYEpgNYDjY?t=3596s
The 2024 Youth Prologue at Raid Temiscamingue – Video by AR Insider www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppJOrwnu9i4&list=PLHBd6RVw8meMmyphktneGLmiCkyHSsWgf
ARWS CEO Heidi Muller Announces the new championship www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hK3wZUhkR0
Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS) www.arworldseris.com
Raid Temiscamingue, organised by Canadian outdoor event company Endurance Aventure enduranceaventure.com
GRAPHICS FOR DOWNLOAD
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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
How many entries do we get?
Each IARA member (Full and Observer) is allocated two entries: one for the U18 age category and one for the U25 ag category.
Can we have two U18 entries instead of one U18 and one U25?
Countries are allocated one in each age category. Additional entries may be available as an ‘independent’ application, or entries may become available from those countries that do not use their allocated entry. Please let us know if you would like more than one entry in an age category so that we can notify you if entries become available.
What are the distances during the event?
Day 1 Youth Prologue: approximately 10 to 20 km
Day 2 World Championship: approximately 50 to 60 km
Day 3 World Championship: approximately 40 to 50 km
The event format is a staged race and the daily durations are ‘only’ 6 hours and 12 hours for the respective age groups. Is this long enough for a World Championship?
The stage durations are determined by age-appropriate limitations set by various national and international sports structures, particularly for the U18 age group in terms of daily duration and night-time activities.The difficulty of a World Championship is not set only by distance or duration, but also by navigational challenges and the technicality of the disciplines, primarily trekking, mountain biking and paddling. In addition, level of competition at this event between selected national teams adds significant performance pressure befitting of a World Championship event.
A standard triathlon / marathon / track & field events and pretty much any other sport at home, nationally or internationally is identical to that of the Olympics or world championship. It is the presence of the best teams from around the world and greater competition stakes that make a World Champs what it is.
Keep in mind that the 2026 event will be the first one. It is the start. The structure will evolve over time.
Why is the team format pairs?
It is easier to put together a team of two, and to fund a trip for two racers (rather than for 3 or 4), making this event more accessible. In the future, the Championship may require mixed teams of 3 or 4, but for the first two years the race will be for pairs.
What is included in the registration fee?
The registration fee covers delivery of the race, provided equipment (canoes, paddle & ropes equipment), maps, and bike transportation during the event. Also included is camping, the opening ceremony, prize giving presentation and banquet. Teams will be responsible for their own travel costs to reach Temiscamingue and personal insurance.
How was the event host selected?
It took a number of years to find the right host event to launch the first Junior Adventure Racing World Championship. The host needed to have experience hosting youth events, willingness to invest in the dream, and access to funding cover the event costs. The Region of Temiscamigue, and local event organisers Endurance Aventure enthusiastically put up their hands.
Endurance Aventure has a long history of staging youth races and prologues as part of their international events and their partners in Temiscamingue backed the new championship event. The region is perfect for adventure racing and has a rich culture and history.
