Record field set for 2026 Endless Mountains Adventure Race in Vermont

Thirty-eight teams will line up June 22-27 for the fourth Endless Mountains Adventure Race, the largest field in event history. The 500-kilometer expedition in southern Vermont is the only U.S. qualifier for the 2026 Adventure Racing World Championship in Corsica, raising the stakes for top teams from North America and Europe. Why it matters: - Thirty-eight teams make this the largest field in Endless Mountains history. - The winner earns a free entry to the 2026 Adventure Racing World Championship in Corsica in October. - Endless Mountains is the only U.S.-based qualifier for the 2026 Adventure Racing World Series. What happened: - Rootstock Racing will host the fourth Endless Mountains Adventure Race from June 22 to June 27, 2026. - The five-day, 500-kilometer expedition returns to Vermont’s South Shires. - The race is headquartered in North Adams, Massachusetts. - The event is full. The details: - The 2026 race is the second and final full expedition the event will host in Vermont. - Endless Mountains was built through earlier editions in Pennsylvania, including “Elk Country” in 2022 and “The Grand” in 2023. - The race moved to New England in 2025. - Race directors Brent Freedland and Abby Perkiss designed the course in a modified rogaine format. - Teams will choose optional checkpoints based on their strengths and navigation skills. - The course includes technical off-trail navigation, substantial overland travel, and a navigation relay. - Organizers say the relay pays homage to the classic Untamed New England expedition races. - The route will cross southern Vermont’s mountains, forests, waterways, gravel roads, and single-track trails. - Perkiss said the course is designed as an ode to the Green Mountain State and its history and culture. Between the lines: - The race’s biggest draw is not just distance, but decision-making under pressure. - The modified rogaine structure rewards teams that can balance speed, strategy, and navigation. - The strong international field suggests the Vermont course has become a meaningful stop on the global adventure racing circuit. - Returning champions 4 Hour Fuel enter as the team to beat after three straight titles. What’s next: - Teams from Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Ireland, Poland, and North America will race next week. - Top challengers include VERT, Strong Machine Adventure Racing, Team Bull Adventure, and GymcityAR. - Live satellite tracking will follow teams during the race. - Rootstock Racing will provide race coverage through the Endless Mountains website and its Facebook and Instagram pages. - The Dark Zone Podcast will hand over hosting duties to race organizers for race-week audio coverage. - ARWS said the World Championship will be held in Corsica in October. The bottom line: - Endless Mountains has grown into a showcase race for elite expedition teams, and the 2026 Vermont edition pairs record participation with a direct path to the world title.