Stapley, Caylor Win XTERRA M2Xtreme

By Chad Denning, XTERRA Rep

The 2007 XTERRA M2Xtreme was dubbed by the East Coast XTERRA point chasers as "the toughest course in the East" and for 2008, this title held strong. The 1500 Yard, 2 loop swim with a 25 yard sandy beach run between loops began with 50 athletes hitting the water right at 9:00am. The water temp in Spruce Lake at the top of Holiday Valley was an awesome 75°.  Two teams joined the solo athletes and really ripped up the swim with two collegiate swimmers battling it out.  They were a full two minutes ahead of the first solo athlete, Paul Stapely from Canada.  The first solo woman out of the water was Sarah Caylor also from Canada...  This race is a little unique in the fact that the water is at the top of the mountain requiring two transition points.

T1 - Nice big transition area with plenty of room for everyone. All athletes are required to bag their belongings as the Race Crew brought everything down to the finish line for them. Exiting transition the Race Crew had water, Gatorade Endurance, and GU for fuelling up prior to heading out onto the grueling but beautiful bike course.

Bike Course - XTERRA M2Xtreme's bike course was created with the mindset of "road less traveled". 2008 was no exception. The course changed a bit from 2007 to allow athletes to gain their bearing a bit prior to heading down the incredible single track descent. Thrown in for some excitement were a few rock gardens, tree roots, mud, "watch out for that deer". After passing by the spectators athletes headed back up the mountain along the access road, a small stretch of single track, and a nice little climb to get the heart pumping. Blue arrow left pointed everyone out onto the State Land for the best manicured single track in the region. A summer loaded with rain, many were expecting a very muddy mess; however a couple days break prior to XTERRA left the trails just slightly tacky and very fast. Streams were flowing well to make the rock crossings picture perfect. The final climb up a trail named "Growler" held true to its name as many of the seasoned XTERRA veterans had to get off and push up this gem. Once at the top, athletes are greeted with an aide station with water, Gatorade, and GU to refuel after the climb. Jump down the Race Loop trail descent again for transition to leg three.  Paul and Sarah were able to keep there leads on the bike through this section but Angela Schnuerch was beginning to reel Sarah in..  would she have the kick on the run?

T2 - Rack your bike, don your running attire, and head out on the run. The run course follows much of the same trail as the bike course; however where it was BLUE ARROW left for the bike, it is now RED ARROW right for the run. Trace the Race Loop trail around the outskirts of the ski resort encountering breathtaking over looks, the first of autumn's colors, some rocks, roots, and a bit more mud. Completing their adventure in the front of eagerly waiting family, friends, and spectators at the Holiday Valley Mountain Sports Complex, athletes were provided a wonderful meal by Cappelli's catering out of Orchard Park NY to fill their depleted body with much needed solid food and nourishment.

In the end Paul Stapley and Sarah Caylor from Canada would both prove victorious at the 2008 M2Extreme XTERRA.  There must be something in the water up over the boarder as these two individuals have really put together some amazing races in the Northeast.

What a great course!  If you want to see the best singletrack course in the Northeast, sign-up now for your 2009 installment of this great race!

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