MCHENRY — The U.S. Adventure Racing Association has selected McHenry as the site for its 2014 U.S. National Championships of Adventure Racing, which consists of a grueling 100-mile/30-hour race, according to an announcement made by Deep Creek 2014.

“Hosting the 2014 U.S. National Championships of Adventure Racing is another amazing coup for Garrett County and right in our vision of becoming the U.S. epicenter of adventure sports,” said Deep Creek 2014 Executive Director Todd Copley. “No other destination in the world can boast that they are hosting both a world championship and a national championship in the same year — it’s unprecedented.”

This prestigious race, which began in 2000 and has grown into the premier amateur adventure racing event in the U.S., will be held in October. Teams from all over the country will compete in more than 40 regional qualifying events throughout the year with the goal of qualifying for the USARA Adventure Race National Championship. These regional champions will assemble to run, paddle, mountain bike and navigate using map and compass in a race that will begin at the Wisp Resort and Adventure Sports Center International and will then make its way deep into the heart of the wilderness.

The national championship will draw 60 to 80 teams from more than 30 different states. The event generates more than 150,000 visits to the USARA Nationals website during the 30-hour period of the race. Garrett County will be featured on banners at 40 qualifying events and will receive extensive coverage in Adventure World Magazine during the year leading up to the event.

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