ARWS NIAR 2026
The Nordic Island Adventure Race (NIAR) is again a part of The Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS). Where the winner get a free entry to the World Championship.
For NIAR 2026 we only have 40 unique team spots.
Entry Fees is 2000€ per/person.
Payment plan available through KLARNA
Registation will open January 1, 2025
NOTE: The registration botton is not working for everyone.
Copy and use this link/address below.
INCLUDED
Team entry fee includes:
- A high quality expedition length adventure racing course in a new location.
- Logistical support for the event (no need for support crews).
- On-site first response teams for emergency first aid.
- Special disciplines and equipment.
- Team tracking and live race website.
- Race maps for your team (ONE sets of maps per team).
- Official race vest.
- Race pack with goodies and event prizes (dependant on sponsorship).
- Download of race photos and videos.
- Post race dinner and presentations.
- TV production and visiting journalist program.
- An event of a lifetime!
- Welcome snack at open ceremony.
- Prize ceremony AND AFTER PARTY including food.
What you will need to provide:
- Travel to and from the event.
- Pack Rafts.
- Accommodation before and after the race.
CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS
Teams may officially cancel their entry at any stage prior to the event by writing, calling or emailing the race organisers.
Note: 30% of registration fee is not refundable at any stage. After 1st of April 2023 Nordic Islands Adventure Race organization will NOT refund any entry fees.
If the race is cancelled due to acts of god, natural disasters, terrorism or other reasons etc, the organisers will make every effort to refund as much of the entry fee as possible to all teams.
NIAR 2026
The 2026 race will set teams on a new adventure on ICELAND!
More information will come!
Course Description ARWS NIAR 2026
AIRPORT: Reykjavik
COUNTRY: ICELNAD
REGION: ICELAND
DISCIPLINES: Mountain Bike, Trail Run/Trek, PackRaft, Caving, Coasteering, Diving, Cliff jump, Navigation
DISTANCE: 900km
VERTICAL: +/- 20,000 vertical meters
WINNING TIME: 4,5 days ()
COURSE OPEN: 7 days (182 hours)
CATEGORIES: ARWS Mixed Teams 4
TEAM LIMIT: 40 Teams
TEAM MINIMUM: 30 Teams
LOGISTICS: Unsupported
WATERCRAFT: PackRafts
MANDATORY EQUIPMENT: YES – uses the ARWS standard list
RULES: YES – uses the ARWS standard rules
QUALIFIER: 1st Place receives free entry to following ARWC
PRIZE MONEY: TBA
OTHER PRIZES: Sponsor products
ENTRY FEE: 2000€ per/person
Booking fee 1000€ (nun-refunable by NIAR but refunable IF refundble booking is bought at RaceID). 7000 € Invoice will be sent after first payment at RaceID. Pay plan available!!! 170 € per month and person for 12 month.
COURSE – The Nordic Islands Adventure Race course is 800-900km long where teams must Trek/Run, Bike, Packraft, Swim, Secret Stage, Coasterring, navigate and complete roping elements to reach the finish line. We will show the “Best of the Best” off what Faroe Islands has to offer.
The winning team will complete the course in +4 days and all other teams are permitted up to +7 days to complete the course. There will be cut off on the course and options for short courses to allow teams the maximum time to complete the full course – a genuine Nordic adventure.
COURSE BREAK DOWN (will be publish when all permission is ready).
MTB - 50%
TREK - 30%
PACKRAFT - 20%
TOTAL: 800-900 km
LOCK DOWN – 3 hours
LIVE TRACKING – Teams will carry tracking devices throughout and are visible to spectators through the live race website.
MANDATORY EQUIPMENT – The race will use the Standard ARWS Mandatory Equipment List. Download the Mandatory Equipment List – NIAR 2023
COMPULSORY EQUIPMENT FOR ROPE SECTIONS
All equipment will be checked before the race.
LOGISTICS – The course outline and logistic diagram will be released two weeks before the race allowing teams to begin their equipment/food preparations and travel to the race with only the equipment they require.
RULE OF COMPETITION – The Nordic Islands Adventure Race uses the AR World Series Rules of Competition – Download https://arworldseries.com/resources/. It is adjudicated by an official AR World Series Referee, Lars Bukkehave.
Logistics
TRANSITION BAGS – Teams need to provide their own TA bags and bike boxes. 3 x maximum 130 liter without wheels plus 1 pcs KAYAK BAG, maximum 138x50x50cm (ARWS standard paddle bags). Max weight for each bag is 25 kg and bike box is 30 kg.
BIKE BOXES – Each athlete must provide a bike box made by hard plastic to be no larger than 140cm X 80cm X 30cm (standard ARWS size).
PADDLE BAGS – Bring own paddle bags
KAYAKS – No kayaks for NIAR Faroe Islands 2026 (Pack rafts will be used for all water sections)
Event Schedule 2023
JUNE 25th, 2026
Plan overview to be found on our website under RACE INFO and to be sent out to teams via email with discipline and distance breakdown.
JULY 9th, 2026
15:00-18:00 Check in at HQ.
15:00-18:30 Gear check at HQ.
JULY 10th, 2023
09:00-15:00 Check in at HQ.
15:00-17:00 BAG DROP at HQ (Bike Box, BAG A & B plus Kayak Bag).
18:00 Opening ceremony with light snack at Reinsaríið.
JULY 11th, 2026
04:00 Start transportation
2h Lock Down
START
JULY 11th-18th
Live on www.niar.io
JULY 14th
Winning team estimated to finish in the morning. (If the weather is good).
JULY 18th
12:00 Course closes
19:00 Price ceremony and dinner
JULY 19th
Teams departure
Volunteers and race supporters
Race supporters are welcome to come to the event, after all it is a special part of the world and very friendly to follow live. If considering coming, contact hakan@niar.io for further information.
Are you also interested in volunteering or working for our organisation? We’d like to come in contact with you! Send an email to hakan@niar.io for more information.
Race Accommodation
Offical Race hotel is:
TBA
We recommend Air BnB's, hostels our any hotels close to Selfoss
Prize Break Down
1. Place: Free Entry to World Championship.
Prize money: TBA