I am unusually interested in going to the USARA Nationals in 2020.
Unfortunately I am a smidgen too young for auto entry, and when I looked at their
calendar, there are only four qualifiers. When do you think more might get added?
Usually, this calendar comes together over the next month or so. Many RDs still haven't released dates.
That said, look at the list of qualifiers from last year. Most of those races will likely run and in the same general time frame. It's not foolproof, but it gives you something to start with. Obviously, there will be a few differences, but usually it's pretty similar.
Are there any races you're particularly interested in doing? I think I've collected dates for most of the USARA Regional Qualifiers for this year.
Hoping for drivable-ish from Detroit in the April / May timeframe. Little fella at home so travel is limited (and a nod towards WI since it permits family visit en route) and the earlier months are kind of booked, and June is swamped. July gets interesting if I try to take the family to the two weeks of CA orienteering + do the World Rogaine Champs.
Also, preferably one with no one good attending (or if attending, already qualified), since I think it's about a one shot deal and I'm slow!
Looking at last year's, the ones best fitting are:
Stubborn Fool April 06, 2019 Baraboo, WI
Chasin the Bone May 04, 2019 Greenbush, WI
MISSION Adventure Race May 11, 2019 Brownstown, IN
Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge May 25, 2019 Wausau, WI
All of those races are definitely taking place this year, though most haven't posted their dates yet. If you're looking for bang for your buck, I would go Stubborn Mule over Stubborn Fool, and it's probably closer to you in Michigan if you go via the UP. Rib Mountain is usually the only team in those Wisconsin races that typically goes to Nationals, but with Nationals taking place in Wisconsin this year, you may get more local teams accepting their qualifying spots. However, I hear that this year all seven races in the Wisconsin series will become Regional Qualifiers, so that gives you more options to qualify. And with a four-team roll-down, you shouldn't have a problem qualifying.
Sure thing! If you weren't so busy in June, I'd recommend a trip to New England for the Maine Summer AR...I hear it's a pretty fun race :)