First ARWS Junior World Championship launches in Quebec

The first Adventure Racing World Series Junior Adventure Racing World Championship runs July 23-26 in Témiscamingue, Quebec, with 38 junior teams from 10 countries. The event is designed to build the sport’s future by creating a clear international pathway for younger athletes.

Why it matters: - The inaugural junior championship is meant to broaden adventure racing’s pipeline and lower the sport’s average age. - The event gives young athletes an international stage in a sport that has traditionally drawn competitors in their 30s and 40s. - National federations are expected to use the model to build youth development programs. - The championship is intended to help create future elite athletes, coaches and leaders.

What happened: - The first ARWS Junior Adventure Racing World Championship begins July 23 and runs through July 26 in Témiscamingue, Quebec, Canada. - Thirty-eight junior teams from 10 countries will compete in pairs in Under-18 and Under-25 categories. - The competing countries are Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Uruguay and the United States. - France is sending eight pairs across every age group and division. - Canada, as host, and the United States also have strong team representation.

The details: - The race is part of the Adventure Racing World Series Championship structure. - Teams will race across trail running, mountain biking, canoeing, swimming and rope challenges. - Thursday, July 23, is set for registration and the opening ceremony. - Friday, July 24, features the Desjardins Youth Raid Prologue, a 10-20 km stage where international athletes race alongside local schoolchildren. - Saturday, July 25, is World Championship Race Day 1, covering 50-60 km. - Sunday, July 26, brings World Championship Race Day 2, covering 40-50 km, followed by the closing ceremony. - Fans can follow live tracking at live race coverage. - Event updates will also appear on ARWS social channels and on @raidtemiscamingue. - More information and the full team list are available at the official event website.

Between the lines: - ARWS CEO Heidi Muller said the junior championship had been a long-term goal and became a priority after she took the CEO role in 2023. - Muller said the hardest parts were finding event partners, funding the race, recruiting teams and making international travel affordable. - Endurance Aventure and Témiscamingue provided the location and event partnership she was seeking. - The recently established International Adventure Racing Association helped coordinate team selection through member national associations. - National associations selected, trained and fundraised for their teams, with the athletes completing the field. - Daniel Poirier, founder of Endurance Aventure and organizer of Raid Témiscamingue, called the championship a dream project. - Poirier said the event has regional authority support and builds on Endurance Aventure’s youth-focused approach. - Previous editions of Raid Témiscamingue included a youth prologue pairing local schoolchildren with international athletes. - This year’s opening ceremony will include local Indigenous culture. - Poirier said the course uses Témiscamingue’s forests and thousands of lakes.

What's next: - The junior championship will begin welcoming teams at the opening ceremony and continue through two race days. - Organizers will track the event in real time and share video, photos and updates throughout the weekend. - The event’s long-term test will be whether it helps more countries create youth racing pathways and keeps younger athletes in the sport.