2024 XTERRA Costa Rica Preview: Lining Up at Las Catalinas

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LAS CATALINAS, COSTA RICA — Marking its return as the 18th stop on the 2024 XTERRA Americas Tour, XTERRA Costa Rica introduces a fresh team, course, and venue for an off-road racing weekend on August 24-25. 

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Set in the holiday town of Las Catalinas, the Full Distance Triathlon on August 24 combines the beachfront terrain of Playa Danta with custom-built mountain biking trails. A $7,500 Prize Purse will be on the line for XTERRA Elites along with 28 age-grouper qualifying spots for the XTERRA World Championship in Trentino, Italy. 

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Since its earlier editions, XTERRA Costa Rica has transformed from a single race into a full-fledged outdoor sports festival with seven different races scheduled. Reflecting its growth and appeal by challenging elite athletes with demanding courses, the event also offers a vibrant festival atmosphere that emphasizes community and culture throughout the weekend.

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Course Conception

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XTERRA Costa Rica introduces a new course produced by Performance Solutions under the new leadership of Leonardo Chacon Corrales (CRI), a two-time Olympian and seasoned XTERRA competitor. 

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Chacon Corrales, who captured the XTERRA USA Championship in 2013, clinched the first-ever XTERRA Costa Rica off-road triathlon in 2014, and has finished in the top five at XTERRA Worlds twice, expressed his vision for the event: “For us, it has always been our dream and our goal to bring XTERRA to Las Catalinas. We think everyone deserves the opportunity to discover this amazing place and the unique experience it provides, and on top of that, it’s a real authentic XTERRA course.”

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Swim (1.5K): The race begins with a 1.5K swim in the serene and warm waters of Playa Danta. Known for its tranquil conditions, this protected bay makes wetsuits optional. Competitors will navigate a scenic loop surrounded by tropical scenery to kick off the Full Distance Triathlon. 

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Bike (21K): Athletes will then mount their bikes for a challenging 21K MTB ride through the forest reserve surrounding Las Catalinas. This portion of the race features technical trails and significant elevation changes with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean from the cliffs.

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Run (9K): The race culminates with a 9K trail run taking runners along the coast, across stretches of white-sand beaches, and through dense forests, finishing on the cobblestone streets of Las Catalinas' city center. 

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Elite Start List

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(World Ranking – Name, NAT)

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17 - Josiah Middaugh, USA

42 - Dominik Wychera, AUT

61 - Branden Rakita, USA

69 - Tiago Maia, POR

N/R - Porter Middaugh, USA

N/R - Francisco Javier Gomez Noya, ESP

N/R - Leonardo Chacon Corrales, CRI

N/R - Federico Venegas, CRI

N/R - Alvaro Campos, CRI

N/R - Juan Manuel Cordoba Blanco, CRI

N/R - Pablo Herrera Chacón, CRI

N/R - Raquel Solis, CRI

N/R - Paloma Soto, CRI

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Top Elite Contenders

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Josiah Middaugh (USA) deserves his status as an XTERRA Hall of Famer for winning 11 national XTERRA championships along with his continued consistency and longevity, evidenced by his 2024 results where he placed eighth at XTERRA World Cup stop #5 in Québec. Commenting on the venue, Middaugh said, "It’s an excellent venue for an XTERRA with miles and miles of well-built single track trails on the ocean." 

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As the 2015 XTERRA World Champion, he’s a significant presence in off-road triathlon and his seasoned skillset will be on full display as one of the favorites to win in the men’s race. His son, Porter Middaugh (USA), is a rising star in the sport, debuting as an XTERRA Elite and showing promise as an up-and-coming talent through youth development in cross-triathlon, highlighted by his fifth-place finish in the 15-19 division at the 2023 XTERRA USA Championship.

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Branden Rakita (USA) is a seasoned elite triathlete with an exceptional record of strong performances in XTERRA racing. In 2024, he secured the victory at XTERRA Puerto Rico and delivered solid results at XTERRA Québec and the XTERRA North American Championship in Oak Mountain, Alabama. 

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Rakita thrives on new challenges, noting, "There are not many courses I am unfamiliar with on the XTERRA circuit, but when they come along, I am excited to race at a new venue." He’s particularly eager about the upcoming event, stating, "The run will be tough by the looks of it—a long climb and then a technical downhill descent, so a real XTERRA course." Acknowledging the competition, Rakita adds, "The race is going to be a tough one...not to mention having a 2nd Middaugh in the field who cannot be overlooked."

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Dominik Wychera (AUT) kicked off the 2024 XTERRA season with a strong second-place finish at XTERRA Oman and maintained consistent performance throughout the year. He also recently captured ninth place in both the Full Distance and Short Track Triathlon events at the XTERRA European Championship. 

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Sharing his thoughts on the courses, Wychera said, "The bike is an amazing 21K loop, with lots of trails and a few technical river crossings. I am looking forward to an awesome event location, with a big beach and amazing mountains and trails." His enthusiasm extends beyond the race course, as he added, "I am very happy to be able to combine the sport that I love with exploring this new part of the world." With his strong results and dedication, Wychera is also a serious contender and a threat for the podium in this weekend's race.

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The Full Distance race will also be fortunate enough to welcome Francisco Javier Gómez Noya (ESP) as one of most preeminent figures in international triathlon. He boasts an impressive collection of accolades, including five ITU Triathlon World Championships, three ITU World Cup titles, and a silver medal from the 2012 Summer Olympics. Gómez Noya is not only an Olympic medalist but also the 2012 XTERRA World Champion making him a very respectable threat for the top spot in this Full Distance race. 

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XTERRA Costa Rica will benefit from being hosted in a car-free town on the Guanacaste coast, 45 minutes from Liberia International Airport. The event weekend offers a range of activities for all ages and skill levels. The lineup includes a Sprint Triathlon qualifying for the XTERRA Youth World Championship, a 31.5K Trail Half Marathon qualifying for the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship, shorter trail runs, an open-water swim, and children's events. Enhancing the festival atmosphere are an expo village, live music, pasta dinner and a unique Sound Journey, celebrating XTERRA's debut in Las Catalinas.