XTERRA returns to Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham from May 15-17, marking the 18th time the event has been hosted on the trails of Shelby County. Set inside Alabama’s largest state park, the weekend also brings the XTERRA North American Championship back to a venue known for red clay singletrack, lakefront views, tall pines, and the kind of Southern hospitality that makes new and returning athletes, families, volunteers, and friends feel at home.
The three-day event also serves as stop 4 of the 2026 XTERRA World Cup, opening Friday with the fast-paced Short Track Triathlon. Saturday brings an open 5K trail run for all ages and abilities, alongside the XTERRA Youth North American Championship, which will coincide with the USA Triathlon Youth and Junior Cross National Championship.
The weekend closes Sunday with the Full Distance Triathlon, where elite and age group athletes from the continent will also compete for North American titles. Food, music, kids’ activities, stargazing, and a relaxed event village gives the weekend a full community feel.
A.J. Petrillo from Blue Ridge, Georgia, has been connected to Oak Mountain and XTERRA for over 17 years, and the weekend still feels like the same kind of gathering that first drew him in. “You just pull up and you feel this vibe and you feel this family and everybody's there having a good time. It's competitive when the gun goes off, but before that it's like, 'How can I help you? Can I show you the course?'”
Friday Speed, Saturday Youth
The weekend opens Friday, May 15 with Short Track Triathlon, the most compact and spectator-friendly format in XTERRA. The best professionals in the world will showcase fast laps, tight gaps, quick transitions, and repeated passes through the event village bringing the World Cup action close to the crowd to kick off the weekend.
Saturday, May 16 turns toward the next generation. The Youth A division will compete in the Super Sprint Triathlon, while Youth B and Junior athletes will line up in the Sprint Triathlon. Both events will serve as the XTERRA Youth North American Championship and the 2026 USA Triathlon Youth and Junior Cross National Championship, adding national recognition to an already important continental title event.
Lucas Wright from Ellicott City, Maryland returns as one of the leading junior athletes to watch. The defending Junior North American champion explains, “The trails are just super flowy. You can have fun and go over jumps while you're riding out there, which is a blast. The venue is also super fun and easy to access everything. To bring the USAT Youth and Junior Cross National Championship to XTERRA I think is a really good step for sure.”
New Faces on Familiar Trails
XTERRA first came to Oak Mountain in 2006. Since then, the venue has become part of the foundation of the sport in North America. The trail system has been developed and cared for over decades by BUMP, the Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers, in partnership with Shelby County and Oak Mountain State Park staff who welcome everyone back and invite newcomers to get a real first taste of XTERRA.
Alexander Manuel Montoya from Birmingham, is one of those newcomers. Coming from a road background, he is entering XTERRA with the kind of curiosity that has brought many athletes into the sport over the years. “I just bought my first full suspension mountain bike for XTERRA, so I’m still figuring out that side of it. I’m actually volunteering because I wanted to get more involved with the event and check it out from that side too.”
Follow the Weekend
Visit the official Oak Mountain World Cup page for the elite start list, points updates, and results from Friday’s Short Track Triathlon and Sunday’s Full Distance Triathlon. The event page has the full schedule, course maps, and swim, bike, and run details. Weekend highlights and key moments will be shared on XTERRA Americas Instagram.
