Team NYARA

Amy Bartoletti

Racing Since: 1999

Favorite Discipline: Trekking when the terrain gets technical and involves some climbing/scrambling.

“If I dont pass out in 20 minutes, then that means it wasnt a yellow jacket and its fine”

Dan Brannen

Racing since: 2001

Favorite Discipline: Cross-Country Skiing

Dan Brannen is the Senior Statesman (a.k.a. Old Man) of NYARA. His respected status is best summarized by a line from the movie Chinatown: “Politicians, ugly buildings, and whores all get respectable if they last long enough.”

Eric Caravella

Racing Since: 2013

Favorite Discipline: Biking and Packrafting

“Adventure is relative. You don’t need to row across the Atlantic or climb a peak in the Himalayas. Many of my most rewarding adventures happened close to home. So get outside and start exploring!”

Aaron Courain

Racing Since: 2007

Favorite Discipline: Ropes

“A pleasure is full grown only when it is remembered.” - C.S. Lewis
This is basically the definition of type 2 fun. One of the best aspects of Adventure racing is remembering and talking about past races.

Alyson Courain

Racing since: 2012

Favorite Discipline: Bike

“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul” - John Muir.  Lose your mind, not the passport.

John Courain

Racing Since: 2007

Favorite Discipline: Navigation

“Hold on, I just have to throw up real quick”

Brian Gatens

Racing Since: 2011

Favorite Discipline: Bike

“Adventure racing isn't about the event, the terrain, the final results, or even the teammates. Adventure racing is about all of those factors coming together to reveal human nature under complex and challenging conditions. It forces one to think quickly, adapt on the fly, and climb over barriers that once seemed insurmountable. “

Denise Mast

Racing since:

Favorite Discipline:

Vanessa Peck

Racing Since: 2015

Favorite Discipline: Mountain Bike

"The best part about racing is the escape.  The escape from the noise and chaos of life.  Having the opportunity to just be."

Austin Planz

Racing Since: 2009

Favorite Discipline: Bike closely followed by Bushwhacking

“This can’t last forever.”

Chris Rice

Racing since: 1999

Favorite Discipline: Running

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   

But I have promises to keep,   

And miles to go before I sleep,   

And miles to go before I sleep.”

Peter Spagnoli

Racing Since: 1998

Favorite Discipline: Mountain Bike

“Sure Beats Working”

Bruce Swanson

Racing Since: 2000

Favorite Discipline: Paddling

“Adventure Racing and ultra-distance running, paddling and biking events have been an awesome way to experience some of the wildest, remote locations around this country and beyond. In addition, the navigation challenges, multiple disciplines, sleep deprivation and team coordination combine to make adventure racing uniquely challenging and memorable”

Rodney Villella

Racing since: 1998

Favorite Discipline: Navigating when the lights go out

“Slower is Faster”

Interested In Joining the Tribe?

Drop us a line and tell us about yourself

info@nyara.org