Discussion: Expedition Ozark 2023

ARWS announced that there will be a new race as part of the series in 2023!

Expedition Ozark - April 3-8, 2023, in NW Arkansas
RD Danny Collins
backed by the Ozark Outdoor Foundation (recipient of donations from the Walton family (Walmart))

I'm curious why Exp Ozark didn't start as a demonstration race? That is what Endless Mtns and Exp Oregon started as.

Also exciting that Exp Ozark seems to be angling for an ARWS World Champs event. I believe Exp Oregon is also aiming for that hosting honor as well?

Race website: https://www.expeditionozark.com/
Press release: https://arworldseries.com/expedition-ozark-joins-t...

I thought all new ARWS races had to start as demonstration races, but I guess I was wrong. From what I understand, these guys are getting a much more intensive oversight from ARWS, so maybe ARWS management feels comfortable enough with what they've seen and done thus far to commit to a full ARWS status.

Likely so, SM. I mean, the area *has* hosted a UCI World Champs (cylcocross, 2022) in Fayetteville, AR. But I'm not sure that was organized by the same group? Could be.

Can they take large-scale event experience and design a quality adventure racing course?

I have gotten updated info that the first race in the Expedition Ozark series will be a demonstration race.

Nice! It says that in the press release now...may have been there before and I just missed it.

This is good news from a big picture perspective. More US expedition racing opportunity is sorely needed. Now if we could only get a race to actually happen in the Rockies again, we'd cover every continental US time zone with annual or semi-annual races!

@Conman agreed!

Exp Ozark RD Danny Collins is racing at Endless Mountains with all-male team Rival Racing. That will be great experience!!

Looking forward to this. I was in the area the week of the announcement and was telling myself there has to be an expedition race there sometime. Lol sand behold, I got to internet service and saw the announcement.