Maine Summer Adventure Race Goes Big in Bethel

Press Release / 07.07.2026

The 10th annual Maine Summer Adventure Race is set to explore the outdoor playground around Bethel, Maine, on Saturday and Sunday, July 11-12, 2026.

The 3-hour, 8-hour, and 24-hour editions of Maine’s only U.S. Adventure Racing Association-sanctioned adventure race will take teams of two to four people on a human-powered scavenger hunt via foot, bikes, and kayaks, in a search for 70 checkpoints hidden in the woods and on the waters of a 100-mile unmarked course. Teams must combine athleticism with strategy and navigation to guide themselves to as many checkpoints as possible within the race’s time limit.

This year’s race will be based in Greenwood, Maine, with the race beginning and ending at the base of the Mt. Abram Ski Area.

The 8-hour edition, geared toward beginner- and intermediate-level athletes, will begin at 8 a.m., while the experts in the 24-hour race will set off at 10 a.m., and the 3-hour family race is scheduled for a noon start on Saturday, July 11.

The finish line will feature a festive atmosphere, with an emcee announcing all finishers, plus food from Luchador Tacos and beverages from Steam Mill Brewing.

The Maine Summer Adventure Race, sponsored by OutThere Packs, L.L. Bean, Squirt Cycling Products, Sap Hound Maple Syrup and Zanfel, is designed to be the premier one-day race in New England.

For the fourth year in a row, the 24-hour race has been named a USARA Regional Championship, meaning the winner of this year’s race will earn a free entry to the USARA National Championship in Bend, Oregon, on October 23-24, 2026 (a $1,600 prize). Additionally, the 24-hour Maine Summer Adventure Race is part of the Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS) North America Regional Series.

“Bethel is an iconic Maine destination, perfectly fitting for the 10th edition of the Maine Summer Adventure Race,” race co-director Cliff White said. “Our racers are in for a huge treat, with breathtaking trekking, flowing singletrack and an exhilarating paddle ahead of them.”

The Maine Summer Adventure Race is directed by the members of Strong Machine Adventure Racing, a nationally ranked adventure race team based in Portland, Maine. More information on the race can be found at www.MaineSummerAR.com or by searching for the Maine Summer Adventure Race on Facebook.