Vermont ski resort Smuggler’s Notch, or “Smugg’s” as the locals know it is the host for the 2023 USARA National Championship. Race directors from the Green Mountain Adventure Racing Association (GMARA) are now on site and taking registrations as the teams roll in. 60 teams have registered for this year’s race and there’s some serious hardware on the line for the finishers. The race briefing starts in just over an hour and there’s a buzz in the air.

No one competing tomorrow has any idea of exactly what the course looks like - they’ll find out right before the race starts in the morning. For now, it’s time for final checks and settling the nerves.