Sud Raid joins Adventure Racing World Series for 2027

The Adventure Racing World Series has added Sud Raid to its 2027 calendar, bringing a new French expedition race to the Hautes-Alpes from July 3 to 9, 2027. The event strengthens France’s year-round presence in ARWS and gives winners a direct path to the 2027 world championship. Why it matters: - Sud Raid becomes part of the Adventure Racing World Series calendar in 2027, giving elite adventure racers another major expedition event in Europe. - The new setup means France will host an ARWS expedition race every year through an alternating arrangement between Sud Raid and Raid in France. - The 2027 winner earns a free place at the 2027 Adventure Racing World Championship in Croatia. What happened: - ARWS announced the addition of the Sud Raid Adventure Race for July 3 to 9, 2027. - The race will take place in the Hautes-Alpes department in southern France. - This will be the fourth edition of Sud Raid since the event began in 2021. - Sud Raid is an ARWS Qualifier for the 2027 world championship hosted by Adventure Race Croatia. The details: - The race is set for a 65-to-100-hour nonstop course. - Teams will cover more than 350 kilometers. - The course includes 13,000 meters of positive elevation gain. - Teams of four will race in complete autonomy. - Navigation will rely on traditional map-and-compass orienteering using 1:25,000 IGN and IOF maps. - Disciplines on the course include trekking, mountain biking, packrafting, via ferrata, caving, and roller skating. - The race is organized around a philosophy of disconnecting from daily life and emphasizing pure adventure. - Race Director Erik Agostinelli of Cosma Events said the Haute-Alpes offers a diverse racing environment, including high-altitude terrain above 3,000 meters near Écrins National Park and technical trails in Haute Provence. - Agostinelli said the course is designed to reward route choice, adaptability, and navigation. - Agostinelli described the event as a human adventure focused on pushing limits, reconnecting with nature, and exploring the unknown. Between the lines: - ARWS is leaning into France as a core market, not just a one-off host nation. - The alternating-host model with Raid in France gives the country a built-in annual showcase on the ARWS circuit. - The format also signals that navigation skill and decision-making remain central to the sport, not just raw endurance. - Heidi Muller, ARWS CEO, said the partnership reflects France’s strength in adventure racing and praised the event’s commitment to authentic navigation. What’s next: - Teams will now look toward qualification and preparation for the 2027 Sud Raid event. - The race winner will secure a spot on the start line for the 2027 Adventure Racing World Championship. - More information is available on the official Sud Raid website . The bottom line: - Sud Raid gives ARWS another major alpine race and locks France into the center of the series’ global calendar.