First Junior Adventure Racing World Championship kicks off in Quebec

The inaugural ARWS 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 global pathway for younger athletes and widening youth participation in adventure racing.

Why it matters: - The first ARWS Junior Adventure Racing World Championship is meant to expand adventure racing beyond its older core demographic. - The event gives junior athletes a clear international pathway in a sport where many competitors start in their 30s or 40s. - Organizers want the championship to push national federations toward youth development programs and build the next generation of athletes, coaches and leaders.

What happened: - The inaugural championship takes place July 23-26 in Témiscamingue, Quebec, Canada. - Thirty-eight junior teams from 10 countries are competing in pairs across Under-18 and Under-25 divisions. - 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. - The host nation Canada and the United States also have strong representation.

The details: - The race is part of the Adventure Racing World Series Championship structure. - Teams will face trail running, mountain biking, canoeing, swimming and rope challenges. - The official schedule starts Thursday, July 23 with registration and the opening ceremony. - Friday, July 24 features the Desjardins Youth Raid Prologue, a 10-20 km stage where international athletes race with local schoolchildren. - Saturday, July 25 brings World Championship Race Day 1 over 50-60 km. - Sunday, July 26 includes World Championship Race Day 2 over 40-50 km and the closing ceremony. - Fans can follow live tracking at live coverage. - 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 launching a junior world championship had been a long-term goal and required finding the right partners, funding and affordable travel for teams. - Muller said Temiscamingue and Endurance Aventure were the partners needed to make the event happen. - Muller said the newly established International Adventure Racing Association helped coordinate team selection through member national associations. - Daniel Poirier, founder of Endurance Aventure and organizer of Raid Témiscamingue, said the event builds on the region’s support for youth and outdoor activity. - Poirier said previous editions of Raid Témiscamingue included a youth prologue pairing local schoolchildren with international athletes. - Poirier said the opening ceremony will include local Indigenous culture. - Poirier said the course will use Temiscamingue’s forests and thousands of lakes.

What's next: - Teams are arriving in Quebec ahead of the opening ceremony and the start of competition. - The results will help show whether a formal junior world title can become a lasting pipeline for the sport. - Organizers are aiming for the event to inspire school and junior racers in other countries to follow the same path.

The bottom line: - Adventure racing is betting on youth, and Quebec is hosting the sport’s first major test of that strategy.