The event will bring together more than 150 athletes from five countries, ready to face one of the continent's greatest sporting challenges.
Neuquén , Argentina – Patagonia will once again become the centre of extreme sports this weekend. Starting Thursday night, November 27, the province will welcome the best teams from across the continent to compete in the Ansilta XK Race Neuquén, the 5th South American Championship of the Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS).
This event will define the team that qualifies directly to the Adventure Racing World Championship as the new South American Champions, and will travel to Corsica in September 2026. Covering more than 300 kilometres, this multidisciplinary race combines trekking, mountain biking, kayaking, and technical rope challenges, all under one key premise: navigating solely in teams with a map, compass and route sheet. The event will bring together more than 150 athletes from five countries, ready to face one of the continent's greatest sporting challenges.
An Organizing Team with History
The XK Race is directed by Alito Luchini and Gastón “Colo” Busso, undisputed leaders in adventure racing in South America. With over 20 years of experience and 60 editions held, the team is considered one of the most experienced in the world.
Alito Luchini, a pioneer of adventure racing since 1999 and recent runner-up in the Tierra Indómita Chile ARWS, commented: “This is our fourth year in the ARWS Regional Circuit, and we see organizing a South American Championship race as a great challenge. Our end goal is creating a Qualifier expedition race next November in Esquel, Patagonia.”
Colo Busso is currently one of the most influential producers of running, MTB, and adventure races in Argentina, contributing his experience to elevate the organizational level of the competition.
Together: The Best in the Continent
The ARWS Elite category, made up of mixed teams of four members, will feature 20 teams fighting for the South American title and the coveted World Championship spot.
The teams already qualified are:
• Kavure’i (Paraguay) – winners at La Gesta
• Outdoor SM Andes (Argentina) – winners of XK Race Tucumán
• Triaventura Durazno (Uruguay) – winners of Charrúa Extremo
• Sportotal (Argentina) – winners of Desert Challenge (Chile)
• Lobo Guará Curtlo (Brazil) – Brazil Series Qualifiers
They are joined by powerful challenger teams such as Uruguay Ultra Sport, Suico San Juan, Team 7 Lagos, Team Aysén (Chile), Propanel Patagonia, and Adventure Flyers (Paraguay), among others, ensuring a final of the highest level.
A Wild and Majestic Journey
The race will be a true journey through the most breathtaking landscapes of Neuquén city and its surroundings.
In total, there will be 8 stages combining:
• 180 km of mountain biking in 3 sections
• 50 km of trekking in 2 sections
• 60 km of kayaking in 2 sections
• Rope challenges: vertical jumar, zip line, and rappelling
Desert terrain, steep hills, crystal-clear lakes, pure rivers, and the traditional hospitality of Neuquén will be the backdrop for a challenge that demands physical strength, strategy, teamwork, and mental resilience.
A Thrilling Final that you can Follow Live!
The competition will feature real-time tracking, available at:
- https://tracktherace.com/sports-events/adventure-races/ansilta-xk-traverse-neuquen
You can also follow all the coverage and updates on social media:
- Instagram: @arwssouthamerica | @xkrace
More than 150 athletes, 48 hours of extreme adventure, and the unique opportunity to become ARWS South American champions. Neuquén is preparing for an epic final.
