XTERRA Trail Run Worlds on Sunday

Since January, thousands or runners have taken part in the worldwide XTERRA Trail Run Series and through the trials of these 60 races, spanning 17 U.S. states and eight countries, some of the world’s best trail runners have emerged and are headed to Kualoa Ranch on the island of Oahu to race for the XTERRA Trail Running World Championship.

More than 1,500 runners representing 30+ states and 10 countries will run on Sunday, including five current XTERRA Trail Run National Champions.

Leading the way is Oregon's Max King. He won his third consecutive XTERRA National Championship in Bend on September 18th, and is seeking his third consecutive XTERRA World Championship on Sunday.

King, 30, is an elite-level runner who is favored to finish first overall at Kualoa Ranch. In addition to the elite overall division, there are numerous age-group divisions that will crown world champions.

Kenneth Harrison, for example, will travel to Hawaii from Hudson, Ohio, in search of a world title in the men's 70-74 age group. He won that division at the XTERRA National Championship in September.

"I've never been to Hawaii before, so this seemed like a good opportunity," he said. "There was another runner from Ohio named Joan Cottrill who also won her division at Bend. After that race we sat down and talked about going to Hawaii to run and started planning from there."

Cottrill won the women's 45-49 age group in Bend, and will also be making her first trip to Hawaii this week.

Hannah Schultz of Seattle, Wash., won the women's 20-24 age group at the XTERRA Nationals, and will make the trip to Hawaii.

Also, Larry Dunlap of Eugene, Ore., will try to win a world title in the men's 65-69 age group after taking that division at the XTERRA Nationals. His son, Scott Dunlap, will also race at Kualoa Ranch. Scott Dunlap is a returning world champion, having won the men's 40-44 division last year.

"It will be our first world championship race together," Scott said. "He is the man who started my passion with the outdoors and it's pretty special to toe the line with him."

In addition to the national champions, there are 10 age-group world champions from 2009 who will be back to defend their respective titles.

"That's a big reason why I want to do this race," Harrison said. "Of course, I want to see Hawaii, but I also want to run against the best competition."

2010 XTERRA National Champions entered in Sunday's race

Joan Cottrill (women 45-49), Ohio
Larry Dunlap (men 65-69), Oregon
Kenneth Harrison (men 70-74), Ohio
Max King (overall men), Oregon
Hannah Schultz (women 20-24), Washington

2009 XTERRA World Champions returning to defend their title

Jarrell Hibler (male 10-14), Hawaii
Jesse Story (men 15-19), Hawaii
Max King (overall men), Oregon
Fujio Miyachi (men 30-34), Japan
Scott Dunlap (men 40-44), California
Ash Dustow (men 50-54), Hawaii (pictured to the right)
Edward Bugarin (men 55-59), Hawaii
Justin Costa (men 60-64), Hawaii
George Taylor (men 75-79), Canada
Cristina Begy (women 35-39), Hawaii
Lorenn Walker (women 55-59), Hawaii

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