On a cool, overcast morning in the Colombian Andes, local heroes, Carlos Javier Quinchara Forero and Lirany Gómez Gutiérrez successfully defended their XTERRA South American Championship titles at approximately 2,500 metres above sea level.
The Full Distance Triathlon took athletes through Lake Sochagota and into the mountains and farmland of Boyacá, with South American titles and qualification slots for the 2026 XTERRA World Championship in Ruidoso, New Mexico, on the line.
Quinchara remained the man to beat on home soil. The Colombian completed the 1.5K swim, 30K mountain bike and 10K trail run in 2:06:45 to claim his second straight men’s title in Paipa. David Guete Quintero made it a Colombian one-two, finishing second in 2:13:00. Manuel Huerta Cardeñas, representing the United States, placed third in 2:15:52.
Gómez also made it back-to-back women’s titles in Paipa. Racing in her hometown, she produced another controlled performance to win in 2:42:51. Yenny Valeria González Guzmán finished second in 2:52:14, while Mirtha Realpe completed the all-Colombian women’s podium in 2:55:39.
A High-Altitude Championship
The race opened with a single-loop swim in Lake Sochagota, a high-altitude training base used by Colombian water sport athletes. From transition, the mountain bike course climbed through farms, fields, rural roads and sections of singletrack overlooking the Boyacá countryside.
The final 10K took athletes onto forest trails and up the mountain before the descent toward the finish beside the lake.
“Paipa is a fantastic location, with its lake, thermal waters and mountains,” said Juan Carlos Duarte. “The race was very well designed and organized, and it’s one of the best triathlons I’ve participated in. It brings together nature and a friendly atmosphere. The weather is neither too cold nor too hot, and I especially like the altitude. Racing at 2,500 metres above sea level adds another level of difficulty.”
Alejandro Guzmán Medina, winner of the inaugural men’s race in 2024, spoke about what it means for Colombian athletes to have this level of competition at home. “We enjoy racing here in Paipa so much,” he said. “Colombia is a great country for competition. The people are always friendly and willing to help, and it’s important for us to have the opportunity to compete professionally in our own country.”
The Age-Group Field
Behind the elite races, age-group athletes from across the region took on the same altitude, climbs and technical terrain while competing for XTERRA South American Championship honors and qualification opportunities for the 2026 XTERRA World Championship.
Colombia’s Yeison David López Tenjo and Magdalena Eluchans of Chile were the fastest male and female age-group athletes across the line.
Their performances formed a major part of the championship weekend, with athletes of different ages and experience levels sharing the course and the finish beside Lake Sochagota. The age-group podium celebrations brought the field together again after a demanding day in the mountains.
The wider programme also included the Sprint Distance Triathlon, Trail Half Marathon, 10K Trail Run, 1,500-metre Open Water Swim and Kids Races.
Three Generations Racing Together
For 75-year-old Jairo Realpe, the weekend represented what returning to Paipa has come to mean for many families. His daughter competed, he completed the 10K, and his granddaughter Juanita entered the 1,500-metre race.
“We’re fortunate that the whole family takes part,” he said. “My daughter competed, I completed the 10K, and now my granddaughter Juanita will race the 1,500 metres. We all participate and enjoy this place together as a family.”
“Sport teaches you discipline. You have rules to follow and a training plan, and it’s healthy for your muscles, bones and heart. It’s also about the satisfaction and happiness of being here with all of you and this entire family.”
The people of Boyacá and Colombia once again made athletes, families and visitors feel at home throughout the weekend. Their support, together with the work of the volunteers, officials and event team, gave the championship its distinctly Colombian character.
Thank you to every elite, youth, and age-group athlete who raced in Paipa, and to Xportiva and the local community for delivering the 2026 XTERRA South American Championship.
Full results are located on the event page and XTERRA Americas on Instagram is the home for highlights from the weekend.