China’s first XTERRA World Cup finale brought international athletes to Panmen Square and Yuyang Mountain for a week of sport, local culture and hospitality.
Hannah-Lee Young had just swum beside an ancient water fortress, ridden through one of its treasured historic sites and finished in front of people discovering her sport for the first time.
“I think it feels like a dream. I honestly don’t think I could ever imagine doing something like this,” the Australian said. “To be the first people to ever swim in the canal in a race, what a historical moment for us and for the sport. I think it’s really special.”
The 2026 XTERRA World Cup final brought international athletes to Suzhou, Jiangsu province, where they explored the old city, shared local meals and experienced the trails beside Lake Taihu. Chinese athletes also travelled from across the country to compete, many after years of waiting for an opportunity to experience off-road triathlon at home.
“I actually think the people out here are so helpful and so kind. They’re just willing to help you whenever. They’re super nice, super welcoming, and enjoy the little things as well,” said British athlete Morgan Rhodes.
The Moment
Panmen’s land-and-water gateway traces its origins to Suzhou’s founding in 514 BC. Wumen Bridge arches over the water beside the gate, with Ruiguang Pagoda nearby and the old walls enclosing a place generations of residents have visited. On October 30, XTERRA became the first international sports brand to stage World Cup competition at Panmen.
Securing access to the historic venue took extensive work with local authorities. Water access, safety and the movement of athletes and spectators had to be coordinated around the site. XTERRA’s local and global teams created a compact course where spectators could follow the 0.4K swim, 8K mountain bike and 3K run at close range.
“You have people who don’t even know what XTERRA is, and they’re out here cheering, so there’s a real vibe in the air,” said Australian Luke Caldwell, watching his partner Young. “To have the best in the world competing in almost like a closed course, it’s just fantastic.”
“Water has always been an important part of Suzhou. The city is known as the Venice of the East,” said Suzhou local Linda Yu, who had visited Panmen since childhood. “These athletes can also get to know Suzhou through its waterways.”
The Culture
Wednesday’s cultural program took Elite athletes into the Pingjiang Historic District for a visit to Zhuangyuan Mansion and Museum, Kunqu opera and a Suzhou-style dinner. A boat trip along the ancient city moat continued the evening among the old city’s bridges and walls.
The opening and closing ceremonies featured classical musicians and contemporary bands, with local food served at gatherings throughout the week. “As an athlete, it almost made me feel like an Elite because at many other events, things like that are reserved more for the Elite field,” said Hangzhou resident Pan Yun.
“I think they did an amazing job," said Italy’s Michele Bonacina. “Thank you so much, XTERRA family.”
French athlete and the first age-grouper to cross the finish line, Victor Caillat travelled with his partner Camille Jobard, watched the Short Track and competed in Sunday’s Full Distance. “It was really a sporting trip, but also a sightseeing trip. Thank you, XTERRA, for introducing us to these two places. It’s magical.”
Alizée Patiès had visited Suzhou in 2024 on a trip that also took her and Bonacina to the Shanghai Sports Show, where they introduced visitors to technical mountain biking. “But here you feel something unique and exceptional with this culture, and it’s really lovely,” she said after Sunday’s competition. “I would recommend people to come, absolutely, for sure.”
The Mountain
Sunday’s Full Distance began in Lake Taihu, with a 1.5K swim followed by 30K of mountain biking and a 10K trail run. The route climbed into Yuyang Mountain’s woods, through rocky descents and tightly turning singletrack, before finishing at XTERRA’s permanent year-round base for training and trail experiences. Age-group athletes followed the Elite field, with the Sprint taking place in the afternoon.
“It’s autumn, and while running you go through the mountains and countryside and see farmland and local farmers working,” said Suzhou resident James Yan Hongxing. “Near the end there was an area that looked like a ginkgo forest, with yellow leaves falling everywhere. Running over those leaves was beautiful.”
Ding Bingning travelled from Yinchuan a week early to learn the course. He had completed more than 80 triathlons, including XTERRA Kunming in 2019. “Being able to see the world’s top Elite athletes here in person, watch how they train and race, and learn from them is a very rare opportunity. Then I could experience XTERRA Suzhou myself.”
“Everything felt very refined,” said Guangzhou mountain biker Liu Shibo. “Of all the races I’ve done, this was one of the most comfortable environments I’ve experienced.”
“All the details are arranged just right,” said Li Xiyang, originally from Chengdu and based in Guangdong. “It gives you a feeling of being welcomed, almost like you’ve come home to a place for people who love the outdoors.”
Shanghai’s Zhu Chaoping completed his first off-road triathlon there. “The course design had a lot of character and was much more fun than an ordinary triathlon. I’d never experienced a mountain bike course like this before. I think today’s experience is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Pan had first tried the Yuyang trails at an XTERRA training camp in July. During the race, her chain came off, leaving her wondering how she would get back to transition. “Then another athlete stopped and offered to help me. He didn’t worry about his own result. He stopped with me for two or three minutes and immediately helped fix my chain. I’m very grateful to him. That’s one of the experiences I’ll remember most.”
She finished safely and hoped more women would try the sport. “More women are getting into cycling, triathlon and off-road triathlon. As participation grows, people will increasingly see that women here can absolutely do these sports.”
France’s Maxim Chané and Patiès won both the Short Track at Panmen Square on October 30 and the Full Distance on Yuyang Mountain on November 1. Arthur Forissier of France secured his first World Cup title by one point, while Italy’s Marta Menditto became the first woman to win consecutive series titles. Suzhou completed seven stops and 12 races across four continents.
The People
XTERRA’s local and global teams worked across both venues, supported by local authorities, course crews, volunteers, medical personnel and officials. Transport, bike assistance and meals were part of the effort to look after athletes throughout their stay.
Representatives of the China Triathlon Sports Association attended, joining a gathering that connected international competition with the development of endurance sport in China. The event also gave Chinese athletes direct contact with the World Cup field and the training community already established in Suzhou.
“Of all the races I’ve done, this was one of the best organized,” said Hong Kong’s Vor Yiu, whose story features in the XTERRA film Chasing the Last Light. “The mountain bike course was very clearly marked and there were plenty of safety measures, so you could ride with confidence without worrying about getting lost.”
“Honestly, here in China for the final, we were looked after throughout the trip. A big, big, big thank you to the organization who managed all of this,” said French Elite Nicolas Duré.
Before Friday’s Short Track, the local team helped Chané source a replacement chain in time for him to start and win. “We all deserve to take this adventure and to come here,” he said after completing his double on Sunday. “It was the World Cup Final, but I think in future they deserve the World Champs because the organization is so amazing.”
“You can see that there is so much energy and so much passion, so much work that they put into this event. It’s just mind-blowing,” said German Elite Scott Anderson. “It sets the bar so high that you’ll have trouble finding anything that compares.”
The Base
XTERRA has been developing outdoor sport around Suzhou since 2020. June’s XTERRA Suzhou Yuyang Night Run brought together athletes from 35 countries and regions.
The XTERRA Yuyang Bay Outdoor Sports Center and Yuyang Mountain MTB Park now provide a permanent XTERRA base, helping establish Suzhou as an endurance sports destination where Chinese and international athletes can train together throughout the year. The XTERRA China Elite Team has included coaching from Susie Langley, working alongside Brett Sutton through Trisutto.
Australian Dimity-Lee Duke wanted to speak with Langley and the XTERRA team about spending more time at the facility. “Love the atmosphere,” she said, calling it “a great, great training pad.”
Czech Elite Lukáš Kašpar described competing in the World Cup as a childhood dream. “Of course, I know that we can inspire people. I think that is one of the most beautiful things we do for the family of XTERRA,” said Italy’s Federico Spinazzè.
The Future
Respect for the places XTERRA explores remains part of that growth. Its X-PLOGGING community has organised cleanups in 39 Chinese cities, while its partnership with the China Green Foundation’s Million Forest Project connects participation with tree planting in the Tengger Desert.
“The important thing is that we don’t have too much impact on the mountains and the environment. We should enjoy these places without creating more rubbish or pollution,” said Yan, who has joined tree-planting and mountain-cleanup activities.
Li brings his family to events, and his child has started riding and trail running with him. “It’s becoming a lifestyle,” he said. Dutch Elite Romy Spoelder valued “having and making new friends,” while German athlete Lorena Erl came to experience the historic venue and “to meet all the people here.”
Regional events continue with XTERRA Tahiti in Moorea on November 7-8 and XTERRA Nepal in Pokhara on November 28. In Suzhou, 4,000 participants are expected at the XTERRA Taihu Trail Run on December 5-6, with routes through the bamboo forests and hills of Xishan Island.
The World Cup field leaves with a series complete and a new place to come back to. Suzhou’s hosts will be welcoming athletes onto the trails again in December, with another year of XTERRA experiences to share in 2027.
Thank you to Carel du Plessis and the photography and video crews who documented the week. Follow XTERRA Planet and XTERRA Asia-Pacific on Instagram for the photographs, reels and films that bring these experiences to life.
