The Bitter Pill is a summer adventure race for teams of two or three. Our longest running event should return in 2025. In 2023, we focused on running the USARA National Championships. In 2024 we’re focused on recovering from that significant effort and running the 24-hour Hard Fall. We look forward to seeing you at the Bitter Pill next year! (You can certainly review these pages to get a sense for what the event is like!)
This race features summer disciplines like hiking, biking, and time on the water – as well as requiring you to continually navigate. We are known for being able to really challenge experienced teams while providing a great race for the first-timers. If you have never done an adventure race before, this is a great way to get started.
What’s the short description of this event? Let’s put it this way: we’ll get your team out into the woods and on the water, doing different activities, navigating with a map, and going to places you never would have otherwise. You’ll have an incredible, unique experience with other teams there to do the same. The competition is truly with the course – you’ll go as fast and far as you want to, all with a goal of making it to the finish and seeing as much of the course as possible.
Teams do not need support crews for this event. Outside of what is provided by the race organizers, teams must be self-sufficient. This is an adventure, after all!
Disciplines
The 2022 race will feature the following disciplines:
- Navigation with topographical map and compass
- Mountain Biking
- Hiking / Trekking
- Paddling
Keep in mind that these disciplines can occur in any order, and you could have multiple sections in the course for each activity. We’ll sometimes surprise you with other disciplines too – a short swim, a quick climb – but nothing you wouldn’t be prepared for.
Directions
The race will be based out of the Blush Hill Country Club, in Waterbury, Vermont. There’s a wonderful selection of nearby terrain and we look forward to highlighting this area in a new way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a good race for a team new to adventure racing?
Absolutely. A twelve-hour race is the standard length for a beginner adventure race. One thing we do really well is providing a enjoyable experience for the new teams.
Will we be plotting UTM coordinates?
No. We use pre-plotted maps. We made the decision as an organization that in a race of this length it made more sense considering the number of new teams we see. Never fear – the navigation will be challenging enough without this extra step.
Can we leave personal gear we don’t need behind, such as our PFD when not on the paddle section or bike helmet when not on the bike section?
Assume the answer is no. Some races will have a section where you can leave some gear and grab it later but this is generally not the case. Your best bet is to practice carrying everything and adjust based on the specifics of the course. You can leave water bottles attached to your bike, but you can’t leave your helmet and shoes behind unless specifically told otherwise. (Don’t worry, you do get to leave the boat and bike behind when not on those sections.)
Do I need a real mountain bike for this race?
Our courses typically feature all sorts of terrain, including technical trails, forest roads, paved roads, and occasional hike-a-bike sections. We always recommend a real mountain bike but if you want to try your luck with a hybrid or single speed bike, that’s your call.
Documents
For your reference – please take a moment to review these documents, specifically the required gear list. Note that you have to actually bring all your gear to registration for a safety check. We need to be sure that we’re not sending you out unprepared, and that means looking at everything from bikes and helmets to water bottles and whistles!
Mandatory Team Gear List
Mandatory Individual Gear List
There are a number of other documents and policies you can review ahead of time:
- The official USARA Waiver
- A synopsis of the GMARA Photo Policy and Release
- Our official Race Rules
- Our policy on using Electronic Devices during the event.
- We'll have you fill out this Emergency Contact and Medical Form at registration.
Schedule
Due to the nature of the sport, you must be punctual. All race activities will start on time whether your team is there or not. Set multiple clocks, hire a wakeup service, buy a rooster, do whatever you have to do to get up and be on time.
Please note: Registration includes a mandatory gear check for all members of your team. Bring all your required gear with you!
Schedule:
Updates
Here's the latest news about this race:- March 26, 2024 - 2024 GMARA Event Schedule
- August 15, 2022 - 2022 Bitter Pill – Results
- August 2, 2022 - 2022 Bitter Pill Racer Update #2 (#1 was not posted, but would not be valid anyways)
- April 2, 2022 - 2022 Bitter Pill Adventure Race – Registration is Open
- March 23, 2022 - 2022 Bitter Pill – Registration Opening Soon
Team List
With our new registration process, the official team list is available here. Check it out!
Registration
We have reached our capacity for 2 and 3 person teams and have closed registration to new teams at this time.
If you are joining an existing team, or would like to get on the waitlist to register a new team, please visit runsignup here: https://runsignup.com/Race/VT/Waterbury/TheBitterPill
