ZITTAU, GERMANY — Now in its 29th year since pioneering off-road triathlon from the shores of Maui, Hawaii, XTERRA continues to expand the sport across the globe with a major announcement for the upcoming host location of the 2025 XTERRA European Championship.
The weekend of August 15-17, 2025, is where the XTERRA O-SEE Challenge in Germany will magnify its growth, bringing together athletes, families, and spectators to one of Europe’s most iconic venues where local organizers celebrate 25 years of racing tradition.
Zittauer Gebirge Naturpark (Zittau Mountains Nature Park) will be transformed into a dynamic festival weekend featuring four European Championship races. Also, as a key stop in the 2025 XTERRA World Cup, this gathering will give the world’s best off-road triathletes, in the third season of the pro series, the chance to earn valuable points and secure top positions on the global leaderboard.
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August 16:
August 17:
Situated in the southeastern border triangle of Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic, Zittau and its surrounding landscapes form the backdrop for a race course that has gained international recognition. The Full Distance Triathlon, held on August 17, features a notable wooden berm extending over Lake Olbersdorf, known locally as Olbersdorfer See and popularized as O-SEE.
This signature element traces back to the O-SEE Challenge’s beginnings in 2000, when five friends spontaneously competed across the lake, sparking what would evolve into a globally renowned event. By 2004, it joined the XTERRA World Tour, attracting approximately 1,500 international participants each year.
Zittau is rich in cultural heritage and natural appeal from a revered 15th-century textile masterpiece on display in the Museum Kirche zum Heiligen Kreuz to sandstone formations in animal-like shapes, dense forests, and scenic vistas. Together, this unification of heritage and tradition with the legacy of European off-road triathlon, makes this monumental event more than just a racing weekend.
The XTERRA O-SEE Challenge features the Full Distance Triathlon (O-SEE XTERRA), a highlight for elite and age group athletes alike. Last year’s champion Anna Zehnder (CHE) stated, "Zittau’s demanding bike course makes for a hard day at the office. It’s a fun and challenging course with steep ups and difficult downs."
Global competitor Lizzie Orchard (NZL), who placed 5th on this course in 2024, praised the race’s inclusivity. Even though only Europeans are eligible for the title, the Elite Prize Purse of €25,000 and 58 World Championship qualifying slots for Age Groups athletes are open to all participants from around the world. Orchard added, “The course has some fairly technical climbs and descents. With the elevation and distance, it’s one of the toughest courses on the circuit.” Local elite athlete and 2024 runner-up, Sebastian Neef (DEU) added, “The O-SEE vibes and the after-race party” create an epic experience for athletes and spectators.
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Swim (1.5K): Athletes begin with a 1.5K swim in the warm, clear waters of Lake Olbersdorf. The two-lap triangular course, featuring an Australian exit, offers a fast, spectator-friendly start to the race. Wetsuits are typically unnecessary as water temperatures hover around 25°C-26°C.
Bike (37K): The single-lap, 37K mountain bike course through the Zittau Mountains Nature Park is a true test of fitness and technique. With over 1,000 meters of elevation gain, riders face fast gravel roads, technical climbs, and rocky descents. The course's highlight is the final wooden 180° bend directly in Lake Olbersdorf, a legendary feature that challenges even the best.
Run (10K): The race concludes with a two-lap, 10K trail run through the forests near the lake, featuring 190 meters of elevation gain. Fast trails, steep climbs, and natural obstacles lead to a dramatic finish under the iconic arch, styled after the region’s traditional half-timbered houses, where the finishers’ bell awaits. Enthusiastic spectators add to the electric atmosphere, making the race an unforgettable experience.
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Dr. Klaus "Benno" Schwager, Chief Organizer XTERRA O-SEE Challenge:
“We are very proud to once again be able to present the XTERRA O-SEE Challenge, here in the Zittau Mountains Nature Park, in the border triangle POL/CZE/DEU, together with the host communities of Zittau and Olbersdorf, numerous committed sponsors and an incredible number of volunteers, as the host event of the 2025 XTERRA European Championship. We want to thank XTERRA for the trust they have placed in our organizational skills and hospitality. We will fulfill this trust.”
Doug Hall, XTERRA EMEA General Manager:
“As XTERRA continues to elevate its athlete experience, few races are better equipped to give our community a dynamic weekend. Loved by racers and fans alike, it is perfect that this race will award European titles across Elite, Age Group and Youth categories, as local organizers celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2025.”
Kostas Koumargialis, EMEA Marketing & Business Development Director:
"We’re excited that XTERRA O-SEE Challenge is hosting the 2025 XTERRA European Championship! Germany has always been a special place for XTERRA, with its incredible courses, dedicated organizers, and passionate community. We look forward to an incredible celebration of adventure, competition, and camaraderie in the heart of Europe."
Jens Roth (DEU), nicknamed “The Albatross” for his ability to soar ahead of the competition and consistently emerge first out of the water in swim segments, hails from Germany and is an ardent advocate for youth development in the sport. He praises XTERRA for its dedication to nurturing the next generation, citing milestones such as the 2024 formation of the XTERRA Youth Tour and XTERRA Youth World Championship, and now a European Championship being added to the tour.
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“Zittau is a nice place to bring the next generation into the sport more and more,” Roth (pictured above) says. Reflecting on the significance of these events, he emphasizes that youth participation extends beyond competing for titles. “What I remember the most over the years, are the people I have met and known through XTERRA. All the athletes are competitors, but on the other side, it’s an honour to call them friends as well. I think it's absolutely fantastic that we’ll have, after the first XTERRA Youth World Championship in Italy, the first XTERRA Youth European Championship in Germany for 2025. I hope that the next generation will have exactly the same great experiences with and around the XTERRA family as I have had over all the years. It means a lot to see the youth racing so close to us right now.”
The Youth European Championship comprises three races, open to all age groups but with youth athletes competing for their respective titles. Top performers will earn qualification spots for the Youth World Championship in Trentino, Italy, marking the finale of the 2025 XTERRA Youth Tour.
On August 16, 2025, the Sprint Triathlon (O-SEE Reduced) will feature a 750M Swim, 26K Bike, and 5K Run to crown the 2025 Junior European Champion for athletes aged 18-19. The following day, August 17, the Lite Triathlon (O-SEE Light) will offer a 500M Swim, 10K Bike, and 3K Run for the title of 2025 Youth B European Champion for competitors aged 16-17. Also on August 17, the Super Sprint Triathlon (O-SEE X’Kids) will include a 300M Swim, 6K Bike, and 2K Run to declare the 2025 Youth A European Champion for participants aged 14-15.
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Succeeding XTERRA Czech’s benchmark set last year, Germany is now ready to rise to the occasion with the XTERRA O-SEE Challenge hosting the 2025 XTERRA European Championship. This transformation creates an elevated and all-encompassing festival atmosphere, complete with activities for all attendees and highlighted by the awards ceremony and open-air after-party on Saturday night. Festivities begin on Friday, August 15, featuring an official opening show, music, interviews, a stage fairground with an expo, and pasta party.
Registration opens on February 3. For more information and to secure your spot, please visit the 2025 XTERRA European Championship event page.
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