XTERRA Trail Run Series

Runner's ArchThe 2008 XTERRA Trail Run Series boasts more than 50 events across the country with runs ranging from 5k to 25k.

The Series is grouped into 10 geographic regions, and each region has anywhere from 3-to-7 races that runners can compete in and accumulate points towards their regional championship. 

Regional Champions are awarded free entry into the XTERRA Trail Running National Championship - an off-road half-marathon to be held in Bend, Oregon on Sept. 27.

There are also several Xduro's (endurance trail runs ranging from 18-to-27k in distance) in the U.S. and each one qualifies runners to compete in both the XTERRA Trail Running National and World Championship events.  To qualify, runners need to finish under three hours in 18-23k races, and under four hours in 24-30k events.  (In this first season it will not be mandatory for runners to qualify), however, those who do will be recognized with a unique racing bib, start at the front and get a free beer (or soda) from XTERRA.

Xduro trail runs have also gone global with off-road half's in such exotic locations as Brazil, New Zealand, Japan, Italy, France, Austria, Germany, and the United Kingdom.  At the end of the year, runner's from all over the world will unite in the majestic Kaaawa Valley at Kualoa Ranch on the island of Oahu for the ultimate Xduro - the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship on December 7, 2008.

Geographic regions with XTERRA Trail Run Series Events

Chesapeake Bay - 4 Race Series Oregon - 3 Race Series
Chicago - 3 Race Series Philadelphia - 5 Race Series
Georgia - 5 Race Series Southern California - 7 Race Series
New England - 3 Race Series Tennessee - 3 Race Series
New York - 3 Race Series Utah - 4 Race Series
Each XTERRA Trail Run Series will crown Series Champions in all age groups. Champions receive free entry into the XTERRA National Trail Running Championship in Bend, Oregon on September 27, 2008.

HOW TO BECOME AN XTERRA TRAIL RUN SERIES CHAMPION

1. XTERRA Racing Age is the age you will be on December 31st, 2008.  We need to fix a firm age for the year so people won't race in June at one age and in August at another if they have a birthday in-between.  For example:  If you are 29, but turn 30 on Dec. 20th, you will be racing in the 30-34 division all season.

XTERRA Trail Run Series age groups: <9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Races scheduled after September 27, 2008, will become part of the 2009 XTR Series. Therefore, the XTERRA Racing age is based on your age on December 31st, 2009.

2. Enter as many XTERRA Trail Runs as you can - To contend for a regional series title you’ll need to race in as many events within the regional series as possible to score maximum points. 

If your regional series consists of 3 races, all 3 races will count towards your points

If your regional series consists of 4 or more races, we will drop one of the events from your score:

It’s not mandatory that you race in all events in your Series, but your chances of winning the region are much better if you do.  You will be allocated “0” points for races in your Series that you do not enter.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If there are two race distances offered on the same day, only the longer distance event counts for points.  For example, if there is a 5k and a 15k race on the same day, only the 15k will count for points.

3. Accumulate Points –Points are awarded to the top 15 finishers in each age group. Please see the points breakdown below. Current standings will be posted to XTERRAPlanet.com after each event.  Points stay within the region you raced in and do not transfer (For example – if you won XTERRA Runnin’ the Rocks you’d get 100 points in the Georgia Series. Then you won the XTERRA Mission Gorge Trail Run and earned 100 points in SoCal Series.  You would have 100 points in both Series).

XTERRA TRAIL RUN SERIES POINTS- awarded to each age group

1st      100
2nd       90
3rd       82
4th       75
5th       69
6th       63
7th       58
8th       53
9th       49
10th     45
11th     41
12th     37
13th     34
14th     31
15th     28

4. Count ‘em Up! -  The athlete with the most points- by gender and age group- after the last race in the Series earns the title of XTERRA Trail Run Series Champion and earns free entry into the XTERRA National Championship Xduro in Bend, Oregon on Sept. 27.  Series Champs can also race for free in the 5k or 10k offered at Nationals if they wish, but only the 21k Xduro is considered the national championship race.

6. Tie Breakers – Ties in point standings will be settled by:

  1. Head to Head competition (order of finish from the most recent race in your Series where both/all competitors participated.)
  2. Winner of the most recent race (the highest placing athlete at the most recent race in your series will break the tie).

HOW TO QUALIFY FOR XTERRA TRAIL RUNNING NATIONALS
In 2008 it will not be mandatory to qualify to race for the XTERRA Trail Running National Championship, however, those who finish an 18-23k race in under 3 hours will be recognized with a unique racing bib, start at the front and get a free beer (or soda) from XTERRA.

HOW TO QUALIFY FOR XTERRA TRAIL RUNNING WORLDS
In 2008 it will not be mandatory to qualify to race for the XTERRA Trail Running World Championship, however, those who finish an 18-23k race in under 3 hours will be recognized with a unique racing bib, start at the front and get a free beer (or soda) from XTERRA.

If it’s not necessary to qualify for Nationals or Worlds, why set a qualifying standard?
Couple reasons.  1) We wanted to recognize those runners that completed an Xduro in the time allotted because that’s a great achievement 2) We wanted to tie-in all the Xduros (your race leads to U.S. Nationals and all of them lead to Worlds) so by the time we get to Worlds we’ll have this great international field of runners with good vibes and great competition  3) Because this is just year four of the Series, and we believe someday the demand will be such that we’ll have to limit the number of runners in the Championship races (understand that at some parks there are limits to the # of participants you’re allowed to put on a trail).  When this happens, qualifying for the Championship races will be necessary.