Ruidoso, New Mexico is ready to welcome the world in 2025 and show why it’s described as "Living in Nature's Playground." From August 15-17 XTERRA Ruidoso will give adventurers, trail seekers, and families their first chance to explore the village and venue that will host the XTERRA World Championship beginning in 2026. With deep cultural roots, strong community involvement, and a landscape shaped for exploration, this debut marks the first real opportunity to take on the trails that will crown future World Champions.
As the pioneers of off-road triathlon prepare to celebrate 30 years, the global community turns to this mountain town known for its ability to endure, overcome the elements, and come out stronger. From business owners to government leaders, locals will demonstrate the region’s rich cultural heritage as they welcome some of the sport’s most experienced athletes and bold newcomers, all arriving in a place that feels unmistakably exciting.
On August 16 the Full Distance Triathlon offers 58 qualifying slots to the 2025 XTERRA World Championship in Trentino, Italy or the 2026 XTERRA World Championship in Ruidoso, along with a $15,000 prize purse for the Elite division. The Sprint Distance Triathlon serves as a Youth World Championship Qualifier for athletes in the Youth A (14-15), Youth B (16-17) and Junior (18-19) categories. On the program for Sunday, August 17 are a 10K Trail Run and a free 1K Kids Sprint, creating opportunities for athletes of all levels to take part in the action.
Beyond the competition, XTERRA Ruidoso is going to encapsulate what an inclusive weekend festival and community gathering is all about with a guided hike, free yoga at Grindstone Lake, movie night under the stars, concerts at Wingfield Park, local food and drink, and the Midtown Shop Hop connecting participants to the heart of downtown. The energy here is built on care, and the collective curiosity of those arriving will be felt far beyond the trails, as the world looks to discover what makes this place such a powerful location to host one of the most established outdoor challenges. For those who get to experience XTERRA Ruidoso for the first time before the rest of the world arrives in the thousands in 2026, this is a chance to be part of something really big that’s only just getting started.
In early July, flash floods swept through parts of Ruidoso following heavy monsoon rains, leaving damage across the region and sorrow in their wake. In the days that followed, the Village of Ruidoso confirmed that XTERRA Ruidoso would proceed as planned. In their words, “Our team has worked diligently to ensure every aspect of the course meets XTERRA's high standards, and we're confident participants will experience the challenging, scenic terrain that makes Ruidoso such a special destination for outdoor sports.” With the trails intact and the town rallying, the race now carries a sense of purpose that runs deeper than competition.
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Stephanie Long, Manager of the Wingfield Heritage Museum and Village Historian, shared, “Ruidoso’s very name—meaning ‘noisy’ in Spanish—reflects the sound of the Ruidoso river, around which our village began forming in the 1870s.” Timothy Roberts, local historian from Eastern New Mexico University, added, "Here in Ruidoso and throughout Lincoln County, thousands of years of Indigenous heritage, early Hispanic roots, vibrant ranching traditions, and frontier legends—from Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett to the Lincoln County War—come alive, offering visitors an authentic taste of the American West they can still experience firsthand."
“This is the Land of Enchantment. It’s a special place, and people don’t always realize the history behind it,” said Eddie Ryan, Manager of Events and Strategic Partnerships for the Village of Ruidoso. "Cowboy hats and Americana at its finest, and the spirit of the place is still alive. You can see it, touch it, feel it." As Ryan explains in this feature interview, "This is a tourist town, and outdoor recreation has always been a big part of who we are. Bringing XTERRA here is a natural progression, not just because of the trails and terrain, but because of the people who live here and how they show up when it counts."
The Full Distance Triathlon at XTERRA Ruidoso features a 1.5K swim, 27K mountain bike segment, and 10K trail run. In XTERRA’s August off-road triathlon preview article, Mike Pearce (USA), a decorated XTERRA athlete who competes globally in the 60–64 division and most recently podiumed at the 2025 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship, summed up the venue in three words: “beautiful, fun, and challenging.” The lake swim is cool and clear, held at over 7,000 feet elevation, with activity all around from hikers to paddle boats. “The race starts with a 1.5K swim in picturesque Grindstone Lake,” said XTERRA Americas Technical Director, Kirk Ermels. “Swimmers exit between two 750-meter laps to take another look at the area’s grandeur that encapsulates the beauty of southern New Mexico and the Sierra Blanca Mountains.”
The 27K bike course starts with a lap around Grindstone Lake, giving spectators a chance to cheer athletes on before the climb begins. Riders tackle a 5.5K ascent to Grindstone Mesa, where they are rewarded with panoramic views of Mescalero Lake and Sierra Blanca Peak. From there, the trail becomes a test of balance and control, with technical sections and narrow singletrack weaving back toward transition. Pearce called it a serious course with “tight and rocky” singletrack, scenic ridgelines, and an exhilarating descent.
The 10K run features two loops around Grindstone Lake before a final 2K sprint to Wingfield Park. “Runners face rolling, rocky terrain and punchy climbs,” Ermels explained, “but there are plenty of spectator opportunities to keep energy flowing.” He added, “The final stretch includes one last climb, then a smooth sprint to the finish line, where the party awaits!” Pearce, who plans to compete in Ruidoso, shared his goal clearly: “I expect Ruidoso to be a challenge as well. I plan to have a great time, to give my very best effort, and overcome whatever the day brings. To compete against a very competitive field of athletes on a new frontier, one that will welcome the world’s best next year. I hope to have a great day and accomplish the goals I have set for myself.”
With registration still open on the XTERRA Ruidoso event page and the participant list continuing to grow in the lead-up to race day, athletes from across the United States are preparing to welcome all challengers to their home terrain.
Steve Croucher (USA, Elite): “I think I speak for everyone in sharing my excitement to trial next year’s World Championship venue a year in advance. Beyond what, on paper, looks to be a well-designed championship caliber course, I am motivated to experience a new place and to feed my athletic potential curiosity.”
Brittany Schroeder (USA, Elite): “Racing at XTERRA Ruidoso is a bit nostalgic for me! I have family nearby, so I grew up visiting Ruidoso when we would come to town to see them. The town has so much rich history and culture to share, and I can’t wait for everyone to get to experience it!”
John Wiygul (USA, Elite): “I’m driven by the adventure of tackling unknown terrain and testing myself in a new environment. This race will give us the perfect chance to push our skills to the limit and see how far we can go.”
Libby Harrow (USA, 75–79): “I have been competing in XTERRAs since 2001 & have raced 13 World Championships in Maui.” She also shared that she’s looking forward to the reliability of the bike course in her hopes to, “return for Worlds in 2026.”
Jordan Shomaker (USA, 30–34): “My motivation for racing Ruidoso is to raise awareness and represent my community, Sacred Cycle, an organization that empowers women who are survivors of sexual assault through mountain biking. My expectation is for a competitive and curious field of racers and a venue that inspires.”
James McIlroy (USA, 55–59): “I've been doing XTERRAs for over 20 years and have earned the nickname ‘XTERRA James’. I've been living in New Mexico since 2003 and have completed a few XTERRAs in NM. I received the notice of the Ruidoso, NM race in September 2024 and immediately signed up. So happy to have an XTERRA in NM again! The XTERRA bike race route was published on the website and I was able to pre-ride the course and even pre-swim at Grindstone Lake. That's how excited I was for this race!”
Bruce Wacker (USA, 75–79): "I'm a 79 year old 6-time World Champion who had a hip replacement a year and a half ago and haven't done an XTERRA in a few years. I'd like to do another Worlds and Ruidoso is an ideal starting point. I'm a native of Albuquerque and am excited to see Worlds come back to the US, especially New Mexico. It will be good to get back with the XTERRA Community."
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The Full-Distance Triathlon is part of an action-packed weekend in Ruidoso offering a complete off-road experience for participants of all ages. Youth A (14-15), Youth B (16-17) and Junior (18-19) competitors will take on the Sprint Distance Triathlon (750M Swim, 14K Bike, 6K Run) with something rare at stake: the chance to preview the official course of the 2026 XTERRA Youth World Championship. With the most competitive youth field in XTERRA history now forming around the globe, this is a meaningful moment to lunge forward and earn qualifying spots for the final Youth World Championship in Trentino, Italy this September.
What surrounds the races is equally important. The XTERRA Welcome Party at Downshift Brewing Company sets the tone for the weekend, with athletes and community members gathering Friday evening to hear from XTERRA Americas Tour Manager Steve Andrus and local heroes. Across town, the Ruidoso Midtown Shop Hop will run Friday through Sunday, inviting participants and their families into local storefronts for exclusive offers and community engagement in partnership with the Ruidoso Midtown Association.
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Music anchors the celebrations with Friday night featuring the “Under a Mountain Sky” summer concert at Wingfield Park with Dallas Burrow, followed by XTERRA Movie Night. Saturday’s Kick-off Concert celebrates the debut event with a live performance from local legend Phil Hamilton. And Sunday’s races close to a high-energy set from Dzaki Sukarno and Jones & Miles, bringing locals and visitors together one last time at the finish line.
Also supporting the event are organizations working to deepen the connection between sport and community. The Lincoln County Community Health Council is creating a hands-on Family Zone focused on wellness, youth activities, and health education. At Grindstone Lake, the Big Ben Sanchez Youth Foundation will operate concessions while raising funds to provide sports scholarships for local kids—many of whom will also race in the 10K Trail Run.
From mountain trails to music stages, local business to youth enrichment, Ruidoso’s first year on the XTERRA World Tour is an invitation to experience what this incredible place is made of.
Ruidoso, New Mexico is ready to welcome the world in 2025 and show why it’s described as "Living in Nature's Playground." From August 15-17 XTERRA Ruidoso will give adventurers, trail seekers, and families their first chance to explore the village and venue that will host the XTERRA World Championship beginning in 2026. With deep cultural roots, strong community involvement, and a landscape shaped for exploration, this debut marks the first real opportunity to take on the trails that will crown future World Champions.
As the pioneers of off-road triathlon prepare to celebrate 30 years, the global community turns to this mountain town known for its ability to endure, overcome the elements, and come out stronger. From business owners to government leaders, locals will demonstrate the region’s rich cultural heritage as they welcome some of the sport’s most experienced athletes and bold newcomers, all arriving in a place that feels unmistakably exciting.
On August 16 the Full Distance Triathlon offers 58 qualifying slots to the 2025 XTERRA World Championship in Trentino, Italy or the 2026 XTERRA World Championship in Ruidoso, along with a $15,000 prize purse for the Elite division. The Sprint Distance Triathlon serves as a Youth World Championship Qualifier for athletes in the Youth A (14-15), Youth B (16-17) and Junior (18-19) categories. On the program for Sunday, August 17 are a 10K Trail Run and a free 1K Kids Sprint, creating opportunities for athletes of all levels to take part in the action.
Beyond the competition, XTERRA Ruidoso is going to encapsulate what an inclusive weekend festival and community gathering is all about with a guided hike, free yoga at Grindstone Lake, movie night under the stars, concerts at Wingfield Park, local food and drink, and the Midtown Shop Hop connecting participants to the heart of downtown. The energy here is built on care, and the collective curiosity of those arriving will be felt far beyond the trails, as the world looks to discover what makes this place such a powerful location to host one of the most established outdoor challenges. For those who get to experience XTERRA Ruidoso for the first time before the rest of the world arrives in the thousands in 2026, this is a chance to be part of something really big that’s only just getting started.
In early July, flash floods swept through parts of Ruidoso following heavy monsoon rains, leaving damage across the region and sorrow in their wake. In the days that followed, the Village of Ruidoso confirmed that XTERRA Ruidoso would proceed as planned. In their words, “Our team has worked diligently to ensure every aspect of the course meets XTERRA's high standards, and we're confident participants will experience the challenging, scenic terrain that makes Ruidoso such a special destination for outdoor sports.” With the trails intact and the town rallying, the race now carries a sense of purpose that runs deeper than competition.
Stephanie Long, Manager of the Wingfield Heritage Museum and Village Historian, shared, “Ruidoso’s very name—meaning ‘noisy’ in Spanish—reflects the sound of the Ruidoso river, around which our village began forming in the 1870s.” Timothy Roberts, local historian from Eastern New Mexico University, added, "Here in Ruidoso and throughout Lincoln County, thousands of years of Indigenous heritage, early Hispanic roots, vibrant ranching traditions, and frontier legends—from Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett to the Lincoln County War—come alive, offering visitors an authentic taste of the American West they can still experience firsthand."
“This is the Land of Enchantment. It’s a special place, and people don’t always realize the history behind it,” said Eddie Ryan, Manager of Events and Strategic Partnerships for the Village of Ruidoso. "Cowboy hats and Americana at its finest, and the spirit of the place is still alive. You can see it, touch it, feel it." As Ryan explains in this feature interview, "This is a tourist town, and outdoor recreation has always been a big part of who we are. Bringing XTERRA here is a natural progression, not just because of the trails and terrain, but because of the people who live here and how they show up when it counts."
The Full Distance Triathlon at XTERRA Ruidoso features a 1.5K swim, 27K mountain bike segment, and 10K trail run. In XTERRA’s August off-road triathlon preview article, Mike Pearce (USA), a decorated XTERRA athlete who competes globally in the 60–64 division and most recently podiumed at the 2025 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship, summed up the venue in three words: “beautiful, fun, and challenging.” The lake swim is cool and clear, held at over 7,000 feet elevation, with activity all around from hikers to paddle boats. “The race starts with a 1.5K swim in picturesque Grindstone Lake,” said XTERRA Americas Technical Director, Kirk Ermels. “Swimmers exit between two 750-meter laps to take another look at the area’s grandeur that encapsulates the beauty of southern New Mexico and the Sierra Blanca Mountains.”
The 27K bike course starts with a lap around Grindstone Lake, giving spectators a chance to cheer athletes on before the climb begins. Riders tackle a 5.5K ascent to Grindstone Mesa, where they are rewarded with panoramic views of Mescalero Lake and Sierra Blanca Peak. From there, the trail becomes a test of balance and control, with technical sections and narrow singletrack weaving back toward transition. Pearce called it a serious course with “tight and rocky” singletrack, scenic ridgelines, and an exhilarating descent.
The 10K run features two loops around Grindstone Lake before a final 2K sprint to Wingfield Park. “Runners face rolling, rocky terrain and punchy climbs,” Ermels explained, “but there are plenty of spectator opportunities to keep energy flowing.” He added, “The final stretch includes one last climb, then a smooth sprint to the finish line, where the party awaits!” Pearce, who plans to compete in Ruidoso, shared his goal clearly: “I expect Ruidoso to be a challenge as well. I plan to have a great time, to give my very best effort, and overcome whatever the day brings. To compete against a very competitive field of athletes on a new frontier, one that will welcome the world’s best next year. I hope to have a great day and accomplish the goals I have set for myself.”
With registration still open on the XTERRA Ruidoso event page and the participant list continuing to grow in the lead-up to race day, athletes from across the United States are preparing to welcome all challengers to their home terrain.
Steve Croucher (USA, Elite): “I think I speak for everyone in sharing my excitement to trial next year’s World Championship venue a year in advance. Beyond what, on paper, looks to be a well-designed championship caliber course, I am motivated to experience a new place and to feed my athletic potential curiosity.”
Brittany Schroeder (USA, Elite): “Racing at XTERRA Ruidoso is a bit nostalgic for me! I have family nearby, so I grew up visiting Ruidoso when we would come to town to see them. The town has so much rich history and culture to share, and I can’t wait for everyone to get to experience it!”
John Wiygul (USA, Elite): “I’m driven by the adventure of tackling unknown terrain and testing myself in a new environment. This race will give us the perfect chance to push our skills to the limit and see how far we can go.”
Libby Harrow (USA, 75–79): “I have been competing in XTERRAs since 2001 & have raced 13 World Championships in Maui.” She also shared that she’s looking forward to the reliability of the bike course in her hopes to, “return for Worlds in 2026.”
Jordan Shomaker (USA, 30–34): “My motivation for racing Ruidoso is to raise awareness and represent my community, Sacred Cycle, an organization that empowers women who are survivors of sexual assault through mountain biking. My expectation is for a competitive and curious field of racers and a venue that inspires.”
James McIlroy (USA, 55–59): “I've been doing XTERRAs for over 20 years and have earned the nickname ‘XTERRA James’. I've been living in New Mexico since 2003 and have completed a few XTERRAs in NM. I received the notice of the Ruidoso, NM race in September 2024 and immediately signed up. So happy to have an XTERRA in NM again! The XTERRA bike race route was published on the website and I was able to pre-ride the course and even pre-swim at Grindstone Lake. That's how excited I was for this race!”
Bruce Wacker (USA, 75–79): "I'm a 79 year old 6-time World Champion who had a hip replacement a year and a half ago and haven't done an XTERRA in a few years. I'd like to do another Worlds and Ruidoso is an ideal starting point. I'm a native of Albuquerque and am excited to see Worlds come back to the US, especially New Mexico. It will be good to get back with the XTERRA Community."
The Full-Distance Triathlon is part of an action-packed weekend in Ruidoso offering a complete off-road experience for participants of all ages. Youth A (14-15), Youth B (16-17) and Junior (18-19) competitors will take on the Sprint Distance Triathlon (750M Swim, 14K Bike, 6K Run) with something rare at stake: the chance to preview the official course of the 2026 XTERRA Youth World Championship. With the most competitive youth field in XTERRA history now forming around the globe, this is a meaningful moment to lunge forward and earn qualifying spots for the final Youth World Championship in Trentino, Italy this September.
What surrounds the races is equally important. The XTERRA Welcome Party at Downshift Brewing Company sets the tone for the weekend, with athletes and community members gathering Friday evening to hear from XTERRA Americas Tour Manager Steve Andrus and local heroes. Across town, the Ruidoso Midtown Shop Hop will run Friday through Sunday, inviting participants and their families into local storefronts for exclusive offers and community engagement in partnership with the Ruidoso Midtown Association.
Music anchors the celebrations with Friday night featuring the “Under a Mountain Sky” summer concert at Wingfield Park with Dallas Burrow, followed by XTERRA Movie Night. Saturday’s Kick-off Concert celebrates the debut event with a live performance from local legend Phil Hamilton. And Sunday’s races close to a high-energy set from Dzaki Sukarno and Jones & Miles, bringing locals and visitors together one last time at the finish line.
Also supporting the event are organizations working to deepen the connection between sport and community. The Lincoln County Community Health Council is creating a hands-on Family Zone focused on wellness, youth activities, and health education. At Grindstone Lake, the Big Ben Sanchez Youth Foundation will operate concessions while raising funds to provide sports scholarships for local kids—many of whom will also race in the 10K Trail Run.
From mountain trails to music stages, local business to youth enrichment, Ruidoso’s first year on the XTERRA World Tour is an invitation to experience what this incredible place is made of.
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