2024 Hard Fall


The Hard Fall is coming back – August 2024!
Learn More

GMARA is the Green Mountain Adventure Racing Association.


What are our races like? In short:


We'll give you a topographical map with locations marked.

Each location will have a bright orange & white flag hanging in the woods.

Using a compass, you and your teammates find the flags before time is up!

Multi-sport

Our races usually involve multiple sports - bike, hike, paddle or swim in the summer, ski & snowshoe in the winter. They all involve navigation with map and compass. Sometimes we add things like rock climbing! The obstacles you'll find are all natural - Vermont terrain is enough of a test for any team.

Team-based

Our adventure races require teams, there are no solo racers. Staying cheerful is part of the challenge (most teams succeed). It helps that we end our days with great post-race dinners, awards for top teams, and raffle prizes for all participants.

Endurance

Adventure racing has been called "an expedition with a stopwatch". Our flagship events run for 10-12 hours; a full day outdoors. We also offer 1-, 3-, and 5-hour events that are more accessible for new racers, families with young children, and even experienced racers who just want a lighter day out.

Balanced

GMARA races are built to be enjoyable for first-timers yet challenging enough for national champions. Whether you love the thrill of finding a gorgeous waterfall hidden deep in the woods or the excitement of hauling yourself on ropes over a ravine, once you can read a map you'll feel right at home.

Interested? Want to learn more? Can't wait to sign up?


That's great to hear! The best way to get involved and stay informed is to join our mailing list, but you can also check out our event list to see what's coming soon, or browse through old results and photos to get a feel for past events.
 

2024 Events

The Hard Fall

An epic 24 hours of nonstop trekking, paddling, and mountain biking.

Test Your Nettle

An introductory 3-5 hour event to get your feet wet and your shoes muddy.

Women of AR Academy

A weekend event to help women further their adventure racing skills.

The Bitter Pill

Our premiere summer event. Twelve hours of quintessential Vermont adventure racing.

Some of our Past Events

The 2023 USARA National Championships

GMARA designed and directed the 24-hour USARA National Championships. Vermont's mountains rose to the occassion!

The Frigid Infliction

8-10 hours of winter adventure.

The Wintry Wander

1-3 hours of family-friendly snowshoeing.

The Murky Excursion

6-8 hours of overnight adventure.

Event:
The Bitter Pill (#17)
Date:
2022/08/13
Location:
Blush Hill Country Club
Results:
Writeup / Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The Hard Fall (#1)
Date:
2021/10/09
Location:
Lake Willoughby
Results:
Writeup / Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The Bitter Pill (#16)
Date:
2021/08/14
Location:
Craftsbury Outdoor Center
Results:
Writeup / Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The Catamount Winter Adventure
Date:
2021/02/06 - 2021/02/14
Location:
Catamount Community Forest
Results:
Writeup
Extras:
Photo Gallery
Event:
The Catamount Adventure
Date:
2020/10/10 - 2020/10/18
Location:
Catamount Community Forest
Results:
Writeup
Extras:
Photo Gallery
Event:
The Bitter Pill (#15)
Date:
2019/08/10
Location:
Blush Hill Country Club
Results:
Writeup / Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The Frigid Infliction (#14)
Date:
2019/03/02
Location:
Bolton Valley
Results:
Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
Test Your Nettle
Date:
2019/03/02
Location:
Bolton Valley
Results:
Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The Frigid Infliction (#13)
Date:
2018/03/03
Location:
Bolton Valley
Results:
Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The Bitter Pill (#14)
Date:
2017/08/12
Location:
Sugarbush
Results:
Writeup / Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The Frigid Infliction (#12)
Date:
2017/03/04
Location:
Bolton Valley
Results:
Writeup / Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
Test Your Nettle: Frigid Edition
Date:
2017/03/04
Location:
Bolton Valley
Results:
Writeup / Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The Outdoor Gear Exchange Bitter Pill (#13)
Date:
2016/08/06
Location:
Bolton Valley
Results:
Writeup / Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The Outdoor Gear Exchange Frigid Infliction (#11)
Date:
2016/03/05
Location:
Bolton Valley
Results:
Writeup / Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The Outdoor Gear Exchange Bitter Pill (#12)
Date:
2015/08/01
Location:
Bolton Valley
Results:
Writeup / Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The Outdoor Gear Exchange Frigid Infliction (#10)
Date:
2015/02/28
Location:
Bolton Valley
Results:
Writeup / Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The MVP Health Care Wintry Wander (#2)
Date:
2015/02/28
Location:
Bolton Valley
Results:
Writeup
Extras:
Photo Gallery
Event:
The Outdoor Gear Exchange Bitter Pill (#11)
Date:
2014/08/02
Location:
Cochran's Ski Area
Results:
Writeup / Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The MVP Health Care Frigid Infliction (#9)
Date:
2014/03/08
Location:
Bolton Valley
Results:
Writeup / Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The Bolton Valley Wintry Wander (#1)
Date:
2014/03/08
Location:
Bolton Valley
Results:
Writeup
Extras:
Photo Gallery
Event:
The MVP Health Care Bitter Pill (#10)
Date:
2013/08/17
Location:
Catamount Outdoor Family Center
Results:
Writeup / Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The MVP Health Care Frigid Infliction (#8)
Date:
2013/03/02
Location:
Bolton Valley
Results:
Writeup / Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The MVP Health Care Bitter Pill (#9)
Date:
2012/07/28
Location:
Blueberry Hill
Results:
Writeup / Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The Murky Excursion
Date:
2012/06/08
Location:
Craftsbury
Results:
Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The MVP Health Care Frigid Infliction (#7)
Date:
2012/03/03
Location:
Bolton Valley
Results:
Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The MVP Health Care Bitter Pill (#8)
Date:
2011/06/30
Location:
Blueberry Hill
Results:
Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The MVP Health Care Frigid Infliction (#6)
Date:
2011/02/26
Location:
Bolton Valley
Results:
Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The MVP Health Care Bitter Pill (#7)
Date:
2010/08/07
Location:
Huntington / Stowe Town & Country
Results:
Writeup / Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The MVP Health Care Frigid Infliction (#5)
Date:
2010/03/06
Location:
Little River State Park / Trattoria La Festa
Results:
Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The MVP Health Care Bitter Pill (#6)
Date:
2009/08/01
Location:
Craftsbury
Results:
Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The MVP Health Care Frigid Infliction (#4)
Date:
2009/03/07
Location:
Bolton Valley / Cider House
Results:
Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The Wheel of Fire - MTB Adventure Race
Date:
2008/10/12
Location:
Hinesburg
Event:
The MVP Health Care Bitter Pill (#5)
Date:
2008/08/02
Location:
Bolton Valley
Results:
Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The MVP Health Care Frigid Infliction (#3)
Date:
2008/03/01
Location:
Bolton Valley
Results:
Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The Bitter Pill (#4)
Date:
2007/08/04
Location:
Craftsbury
Results:
Full Results
Extras:
Photo Gallery / Team List
Event:
The Frigid Infliction (#2)
Date:
2007/03/03
Location:
Bolton Valley
Extras:
Photo Gallery
Notes:
First USARA qualifier!
Event:
The Bitter Pill (#3)
Date:
2006/08/12
Location:
Bolton Valley
Extras:
Photo Gallery
Event:
The Frigid Infliction (#1)
Date:
2006/03/04
Location:
Bolton Valley
Extras:
Photo Gallery
Event:
The Adventure Racing Unleashed Pillage Plunder Booty Siege (#2)
Date:
2005/09/17
Location:
Smuggs
Extras:
Photo Gallery
Event:
The Adventure Racing Unleashed Bitter Pill (#2)
Date:
2005/06/18
Location:
Bolton Valley
Extras:
Photo Gallery
Event:
The Adventure Racing Unleashed Pillage Plunder Booty Siege (#1)
Date:
2004/09/18
Location:
Smuggs
Extras:
Photo Gallery
Event:
The Adventure Racing Unleashed Bitter Pill (#1)
Date:
2004/07/24
Location:
Bolton Valley
Extras:
Photo Gallery
Event:
The Green Mountain Adventure Race
Date:
2003
Location:
Vermont
  • 2011/08/20 - Event: Northern Lights nighttime ropes course
  • 2008/09/20 - Event: training, Hardwick
  • 2008/01/25 - Event: Petra + dinner
  • 2007/??/?? - Event: Warren Miller
  • 2006/01/13 - Event: Petra + dinner
  • 2005/11/19 - Event: Warren Miller
  • 2005/05/14 - Event: O clinic @ audubon
  • 2004/06/26 - Event: Umiak kayak training
  • 2004/06/11 - Event: Petra + pub & brewery
  • 2004/06/05 - Event: evening orienteering @ Audubon ctr
  • 2004/03/26 - Event: Petra + dinner
  • 2002/08/31 - Stump-b-gone - milton, arrowhead lake, hard'ack
  • 2002/05/25 - Outlast 6-8hr, Richmond Ontario - not GMARA, just the first thing.