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CABO ROJO, PUERTO RICO – On April 5-6, the 2025 XTERRA World Tour touches down in the Americas for the first time this season, bringing off-road racing to the sun-soaked shores of Cabo Rojo's Combate Beach.
Returning athletes and first-time visitors will discover a community deeply passionate about mountain biking and outdoor exploration including Daniel Leon (PRI), third last year in the men’s 50-54 age group, and describes the unique draw of the location:
"Puerto Rican culture offers hospitality and a good time. Our Island is an awesome destination for the whole family, from the colorful rainforests to the beautiful beaches. Cabo Rojo, located on the southwest corner of the Island, offers the feeling of a relaxed beach community with the opportunity for adventure mountain biking, numerous local trails, close-by beaches, and comfortable water temperature for swimming."
With a full slate of events—including the Full Distance Triathlon, Sprint Triathlon (XTERRA Youth World Championship Qualifier), Duathlon, Aquathlon, and the 21K Trail Half Marathon (XTERRA Trail Run World Championship Qualifer)—XTERRA Puerto Rico exemplifies the challenging pulse of Caribbean adventure.
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Cabo Rojo, situated on Puerto Rico’s southwestern coast, traces its origins to indigenous Taíno heritage, when the region’s salt flats were vital to local communities. Officially founded on December 17, 1771, this popular vacation town moved into the XTERRA spotlight in 2023 when the race transitioned from Fajardo. By 2024, athletes were already praising the shift to Cabo Rojo for its unparalleled course design and welcoming atmosphere.
Daniel Leon explains, “The southwest part of the Island is used by the locals as a vacationing escape, with beautiful, calm, and moderate water temperature, with numerous bike trails where you can enjoy what the area has to offer. You can adventure to the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse, surrounded by cliffs that drop to the ocean, other close-by trails in Joyuda for more bike park-type riding, or the area of the Dry Forest in Lajas.”
Returning XTERRA Puerto Rico champion Suzie Snyder (USA), a two-time XTERRA Pan Am Tour winner and six-time XTERRA USA Champion, appreciates how quickly athletes can immerse themselves in the trails and ocean, “Cabo Rojo is a cool place for an XTERRA because the town is so close to the trails and of course right on the ocean. With just a mile of pavement to get through town, you’re on the trails, and at the same time, you can easily walk to a number of restaurants for lunch or dinner, or the beach for a swim.”
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XTERRA Puerto Rico’s Full Distance Triathlon opens with a 1.5K swim in the calm, clear waters off Combate Beach, followed by a 300-meter run to transition. From there, athletes tackle a two-lap, 29K mountain bike course blending rocky climbs and coastal views, before finishing with a 10K run on sandy trails surrounded by ocean and salt flats.
Suzie Snyder (USA) explains the course’s beauty and difficulty:
“I think the highlight of the bike course is the incredible ocean view from the top of the course. The water is warm and calm. The run course is very sandy, but it is picturesque. You run on a sandy double track along the ocean on one side, which is just beautiful and then return on a mix of double track and single track along the salt flats on the return side of the peninsula. It is tough and challenges you both physically and mentally because of the sand and heat.”
Katja Krenn (AUT), notes the contrast in terrain:
“The swim starts at a pretty beach, and we swim in the sea. The water is nicely warm. The bike course includes multiple sections from a trail system—it has a few technical climbs and descents but is mostly flowy. I really like the more rocky parts but also the view one gets along the race course. The run does not have much elevation gain, but running partly on sand gives the course a nice twist.”
Brittany Schroeder (USA), emphasizes the diversity of the bike course:
“The bike course is awesome because it is a mix of challenging climbs, fast flowing sections, some singletrack, and even some slight technical sections. It really offers a little bit of everything! With two loops, it goes by pretty quickly.”
James Kirschner (USA), summed up the swim:
“The swim is awesome. The water temp is perfect and it is shallow so it’s not super intimidating. The current is always a factor.”
From shallow bay waters and breezy climbs to coastal sand running, the XTERRA Puerto Rico course shows off the natural variety of the island—compact, scenic, and deceptively tough.
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XTERRA Puerto Rico welcomes back a strong lineup of returning elites and rising contenders for the 2025 edition. In last year’s Full Distance Triathlon, Branden Rakita (USA) took the win in 2:24:09, followed by James Kirschner (USA) and John Wiygul (USA). On the women’s side, Suzie Snyder (USA) led the field in 2:42:04, with Kamille Larocque (CAN) and Katja Krenn (AUT) rounding out the podium.
Snyder, the defending champion, praises the overall experience:
“Event organizer David Velez Reyes reports an increase in single track this year compared to last, so I'm looking forward to that! He does an excellent job of making it the best experience he can, for the wide range of races he offers over the course of the XTERRA weekend, from the Triathlon to various distance trail runs, a gravel race and youth races. The community seems to get excited about and really support the event. The locals seemed really excited to talk to the race participants last year to find out who we were and where we were from. There is a great crew and volunteers on race day which helps the event go off really smoothly.”
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Brittany Schroeder (USA), fourth in 2024, notes how spectator-friendly the course is:
“Cabo Rojo is a beautiful small town right near the beach. The majority of the race, you are treated with phenomenal views! When you aren’t racing, the salt flats are right down the road, which you can check out in your downtime. The race is very easy to spectate! It’s not that far of a walk to get to the portion of the bike that starts the second loop, and the run being two loops means you pass right through town twice. The swim course also goes parallel to the beach, so you can see the action on the swim really well too.”
Katja Krenn (AUT), who placed third in 2024, emphasizes the unique atmosphere and scenery:
“Cabo Rojo is an outstanding location for a race—it combines a technical race course with a spectacular landscape, making it very enjoyable to race there. The local community is very motivating. People are really interested in this event and I feel supported throughout the race. I’m also happy to see so many of the locals participating, and everybody has a great time. Overall, the atmosphere for racing XTERRA at Cabo Rojo is great. I feel very welcomed—not only during the race, but throughout my whole trip.”
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James Kirschner (USA), runner-up last year, returns for a third consecutive showing:
“I love the Puerto Rico race. It’s such a fun way to open the season. The race vibe here is amazing. Cabo Rojo has that small beach town feel, and you really get the sense that the locals are just here to go hard on their favorite backyard trails. It feels like you’re being accepted into an exclusive friend group with inside knowledge on the coolest spots on the island. Puerto Rico has its own sense of identity and pride, and you have to respect that to understand the value of this race experience.”
John Wiygul (USA), third in 2024, is also back in the mix:
“Puerto Rico is truly special when it comes to outdoor adventure. What sets it apart is the stunning landscapes, as well as the incredible people and culture that make you feel like family. Expect a warm, clear, and calm ocean swim. The bike course is very scenic! There are beautiful ocean views, fun climbs, and winding dirt singletrack. The local community really embraces the race in the small beach town.”
First-time XTERRA Puerto Rico participant Charlie Smoak (USA) is eager to line up for his debut on this course:
“Oak Mountain allowed for an experience that led to growth within the XTERRA network—something I'm looking forward to in Puerto Rico. At the events I participated in last year, the XTERRA Community was incredibly welcoming and stood for more than just performance. These ideas are what motivated me to come back. In Puerto Rico, I’m looking forward to the race but also to be back in the community of optimistic people.”
With course updates, passionate locals, and a returning podium field, XTERRA Puerto Rico’s elite race is set to deliver another fast and fierce contest in 2025.
At XTERRA Puerto Rico, age group athletes share the course with the elites, often crossing the same finish line just minutes apart. Among those returning to take on the challenge is Edwin Maldonado (PUR), who placed second in the 40–44 division last year. A strong contender with local knowledge, Maldonado describes why Cabo Rojo is unlike anywhere else.
“Puerto Rico is an excellent place to come if you like tropical forest, tropical weather, and tropical beaches. Cabo Rojo for Puerto Ricans is like the place that you need to go to for the best vacations. You can eat different food and drinks. The weather is sunny and the heat doesn’t matter the season.”
The swim course, set at Combate Beach, remains one of the most consistent and memorable sections of the race, “The swim is always flat, on a beautiful beach in Combate Cabo Rojo—maybe one of the most beautiful beaches that we have.”
But it’s the bike where the real test begins, “Yes, the bike course is the most challenging section in the triathlon or duathlon. The course has flats, fast downhills, and some uphills.
Maldonado says the spirit of the race lives in the experience itself, “The participants like the challenge—want to repeat because it’s really challenging. The spectators are in a motivating mood because they know the difficulty of the challenge.”
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The 2025 XTERRA Youth Tour also makes its first stop in the Americas region on April 6 with the Sprint Triathlon at XTERRA Puerto Rico. The race is open to Youth A, Youth B, and Junior athletes looking to earn their place on the global stage. The fast, scenic trails of Combate Beach, features a 500M swim, 18K mountain bike, and 5K run course serving as a qualifying event for the XTERRA Youth World Championship in Trentino, Italy this September.
Among the athletes heading to Puerto Rico is Lucas Wright (USA), competing in the Junior division (18–19). Though it’s his first time racing in Cabo Rojo, he’s eager to start his season strong:
“I’ve never actually done XTERRA Puerto Rico before, but after the season I had last year, I knew I needed to knock some XTERRAs out this year. I saw this on the calendar for an early season race and I knew I had to do it.”
A versatile athlete who also competes in Junior Draft Legal races in the U.S., Wright says “XTERRA is way cooler—who doesn’t love mountain biking?”
Looking ahead to the course, Wright expects a fast day: “I’ve heard Cabo Rojo has a vibrant mountain biking culture and the course seems like a super fun time. Looks like the bike will be pretty similar to the States—fast, fun flowy trails.”
Wright’s 2024 XTERRA season included three outright race wins and a memorable top-15 finish at the Youth World Championship in Italy.
“I didn’t quite realize how amazing 15th in the world in my age group was. I’m just overall super excited to get down south for my first race of 2025. Everything looks beautiful, and that’s what truly gets me going and excited for races.”
XTERRA Puerto Rico offers the perfect launching point for athletes like Wright—those chasing qualification, international experience, and their next big leap in the sport.
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From the XTERRA Trail Run World Series stop offering 58 slots to the 2025 Trail Run World Championship in Snowdonia in the 21K Trail Half Marathon, to the variety of additional races across the weekend—Duathlon, Aquathlon and 10K Trail Run—XTERRA Puerto Rico delivers something for everyone who’s drawn to live beyond the ordinary. Whether chasing qualification or simply showing up to share in the moment, participants and supporters alike are swept up in the atmosphere of outdoor energy and island culture.
“The XTERRA vibe is awesome here,” concludes Daniel Leon. “The volunteers are throughout the course, making sure everything is safe. You have to come to our Island to understand our vibe as well. Friendly hospitality is always there. Puertorriqueños always have the music inside, expressed through our salsa, merengue, bomba y plena, and now our reggaeton. Be ready to add a couple of pounds if you are up for Puerto Rican food and make sure you get mofongo, which is smashed plantain usually accompanied by some sort of sauced protein.”
John Wiygul sums it up simply by stating, “The overall feeling is a scene of sports adventure in a fun beach town in friendly Puerto Rico.”
In Cabo Rojo, the race is only part of the experience. The rest is found in the people, the place, and the pulse of an island that opens its arms to those who come ready to explore.
Follow XTERRA Americas for event updates.
CABO ROJO, PUERTO RICO – On April 5-6, the 2025 XTERRA World Tour touches down in the Americas for the first time this season, bringing off-road racing to the sun-soaked shores of Cabo Rojo's Combate Beach.
Returning athletes and first-time visitors will discover a community deeply passionate about mountain biking and outdoor exploration including Daniel Leon (PRI), third last year in the men’s 50-54 age group, and describes the unique draw of the location:
"Puerto Rican culture offers hospitality and a good time. Our Island is an awesome destination for the whole family, from the colorful rainforests to the beautiful beaches. Cabo Rojo, located on the southwest corner of the Island, offers the feeling of a relaxed beach community with the opportunity for adventure mountain biking, numerous local trails, close-by beaches, and comfortable water temperature for swimming."
With a full slate of events—including the Full Distance Triathlon, Sprint Triathlon (XTERRA Youth World Championship Qualifier), Duathlon, Aquathlon, and the 21K Trail Half Marathon (XTERRA Trail Run World Championship Qualifer)—XTERRA Puerto Rico exemplifies the challenging pulse of Caribbean adventure.
Cabo Rojo, situated on Puerto Rico’s southwestern coast, traces its origins to indigenous Taíno heritage, when the region’s salt flats were vital to local communities. Officially founded on December 17, 1771, this popular vacation town moved into the XTERRA spotlight in 2023 when the race transitioned from Fajardo. By 2024, athletes were already praising the shift to Cabo Rojo for its unparalleled course design and welcoming atmosphere.
Daniel Leon explains, “The southwest part of the Island is used by the locals as a vacationing escape, with beautiful, calm, and moderate water temperature, with numerous bike trails where you can enjoy what the area has to offer. You can adventure to the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse, surrounded by cliffs that drop to the ocean, other close-by trails in Joyuda for more bike park-type riding, or the area of the Dry Forest in Lajas.”
Returning XTERRA Puerto Rico champion Suzie Snyder (USA), a two-time XTERRA Pan Am Tour winner and six-time XTERRA USA Champion, appreciates how quickly athletes can immerse themselves in the trails and ocean, “Cabo Rojo is a cool place for an XTERRA because the town is so close to the trails and of course right on the ocean. With just a mile of pavement to get through town, you’re on the trails, and at the same time, you can easily walk to a number of restaurants for lunch or dinner, or the beach for a swim.”
XTERRA Puerto Rico’s Full Distance Triathlon opens with a 1.5K swim in the calm, clear waters off Combate Beach, followed by a 300-meter run to transition. From there, athletes tackle a two-lap, 29K mountain bike course blending rocky climbs and coastal views, before finishing with a 10K run on sandy trails surrounded by ocean and salt flats.
Suzie Snyder (USA) explains the course’s beauty and difficulty:
“I think the highlight of the bike course is the incredible ocean view from the top of the course. The water is warm and calm. The run course is very sandy, but it is picturesque. You run on a sandy double track along the ocean on one side, which is just beautiful and then return on a mix of double track and single track along the salt flats on the return side of the peninsula. It is tough and challenges you both physically and mentally because of the sand and heat.”
Katja Krenn (AUT), notes the contrast in terrain:
“The swim starts at a pretty beach, and we swim in the sea. The water is nicely warm. The bike course includes multiple sections from a trail system—it has a few technical climbs and descents but is mostly flowy. I really like the more rocky parts but also the view one gets along the race course. The run does not have much elevation gain, but running partly on sand gives the course a nice twist.”
Brittany Schroeder (USA), emphasizes the diversity of the bike course:
“The bike course is awesome because it is a mix of challenging climbs, fast flowing sections, some singletrack, and even some slight technical sections. It really offers a little bit of everything! With two loops, it goes by pretty quickly.”
James Kirschner (USA), summed up the swim:
“The swim is awesome. The water temp is perfect and it is shallow so it’s not super intimidating. The current is always a factor.”
From shallow bay waters and breezy climbs to coastal sand running, the XTERRA Puerto Rico course shows off the natural variety of the island—compact, scenic, and deceptively tough.
XTERRA Puerto Rico welcomes back a strong lineup of returning elites and rising contenders for the 2025 edition. In last year’s Full Distance Triathlon, Branden Rakita (USA) took the win in 2:24:09, followed by James Kirschner (USA) and John Wiygul (USA). On the women’s side, Suzie Snyder (USA) led the field in 2:42:04, with Kamille Larocque (CAN) and Katja Krenn (AUT) rounding out the podium.
Snyder, the defending champion, praises the overall experience:
“Event organizer David Velez Reyes reports an increase in single track this year compared to last, so I'm looking forward to that! He does an excellent job of making it the best experience he can, for the wide range of races he offers over the course of the XTERRA weekend, from the Triathlon to various distance trail runs, a gravel race and youth races. The community seems to get excited about and really support the event. The locals seemed really excited to talk to the race participants last year to find out who we were and where we were from. There is a great crew and volunteers on race day which helps the event go off really smoothly.”
Brittany Schroeder (USA), fourth in 2024, notes how spectator-friendly the course is:
“Cabo Rojo is a beautiful small town right near the beach. The majority of the race, you are treated with phenomenal views! When you aren’t racing, the salt flats are right down the road, which you can check out in your downtime. The race is very easy to spectate! It’s not that far of a walk to get to the portion of the bike that starts the second loop, and the run being two loops means you pass right through town twice. The swim course also goes parallel to the beach, so you can see the action on the swim really well too.”
Katja Krenn (AUT), who placed third in 2024, emphasizes the unique atmosphere and scenery:
“Cabo Rojo is an outstanding location for a race—it combines a technical race course with a spectacular landscape, making it very enjoyable to race there. The local community is very motivating. People are really interested in this event and I feel supported throughout the race. I’m also happy to see so many of the locals participating, and everybody has a great time. Overall, the atmosphere for racing XTERRA at Cabo Rojo is great. I feel very welcomed—not only during the race, but throughout my whole trip.”
James Kirschner (USA), runner-up last year, returns for a third consecutive showing:
“I love the Puerto Rico race. It’s such a fun way to open the season. The race vibe here is amazing. Cabo Rojo has that small beach town feel, and you really get the sense that the locals are just here to go hard on their favorite backyard trails. It feels like you’re being accepted into an exclusive friend group with inside knowledge on the coolest spots on the island. Puerto Rico has its own sense of identity and pride, and you have to respect that to understand the value of this race experience.”
John Wiygul (USA), third in 2024, is also back in the mix:
“Puerto Rico is truly special when it comes to outdoor adventure. What sets it apart is the stunning landscapes, as well as the incredible people and culture that make you feel like family. Expect a warm, clear, and calm ocean swim. The bike course is very scenic! There are beautiful ocean views, fun climbs, and winding dirt singletrack. The local community really embraces the race in the small beach town.”
First-time XTERRA Puerto Rico participant Charlie Smoak (USA) is eager to line up for his debut on this course:
“Oak Mountain allowed for an experience that led to growth within the XTERRA network—something I'm looking forward to in Puerto Rico. At the events I participated in last year, the XTERRA Community was incredibly welcoming and stood for more than just performance. These ideas are what motivated me to come back. In Puerto Rico, I’m looking forward to the race but also to be back in the community of optimistic people.”
With course updates, passionate locals, and a returning podium field, XTERRA Puerto Rico’s elite race is set to deliver another fast and fierce contest in 2025.
At XTERRA Puerto Rico, age group athletes share the course with the elites, often crossing the same finish line just minutes apart. Among those returning to take on the challenge is Edwin Maldonado (PUR), who placed second in the 40–44 division last year. A strong contender with local knowledge, Maldonado describes why Cabo Rojo is unlike anywhere else.
“Puerto Rico is an excellent place to come if you like tropical forest, tropical weather, and tropical beaches. Cabo Rojo for Puerto Ricans is like the place that you need to go to for the best vacations. You can eat different food and drinks. The weather is sunny and the heat doesn’t matter the season.”
The swim course, set at Combate Beach, remains one of the most consistent and memorable sections of the race, “The swim is always flat, on a beautiful beach in Combate Cabo Rojo—maybe one of the most beautiful beaches that we have.”
But it’s the bike where the real test begins, “Yes, the bike course is the most challenging section in the triathlon or duathlon. The course has flats, fast downhills, and some uphills.
Maldonado says the spirit of the race lives in the experience itself, “The participants like the challenge—want to repeat because it’s really challenging. The spectators are in a motivating mood because they know the difficulty of the challenge.”
The 2025 XTERRA Youth Tour also makes its first stop in the Americas region on April 6 with the Sprint Triathlon at XTERRA Puerto Rico. The race is open to Youth A, Youth B, and Junior athletes looking to earn their place on the global stage. The fast, scenic trails of Combate Beach, features a 500M swim, 18K mountain bike, and 5K run course serving as a qualifying event for the XTERRA Youth World Championship in Trentino, Italy this September.
Among the athletes heading to Puerto Rico is Lucas Wright (USA), competing in the Junior division (18–19). Though it’s his first time racing in Cabo Rojo, he’s eager to start his season strong:
“I’ve never actually done XTERRA Puerto Rico before, but after the season I had last year, I knew I needed to knock some XTERRAs out this year. I saw this on the calendar for an early season race and I knew I had to do it.”
A versatile athlete who also competes in Junior Draft Legal races in the U.S., Wright says “XTERRA is way cooler—who doesn’t love mountain biking?”
Looking ahead to the course, Wright expects a fast day: “I’ve heard Cabo Rojo has a vibrant mountain biking culture and the course seems like a super fun time. Looks like the bike will be pretty similar to the States—fast, fun flowy trails.”
Wright’s 2024 XTERRA season included three outright race wins and a memorable top-15 finish at the Youth World Championship in Italy.
“I didn’t quite realize how amazing 15th in the world in my age group was. I’m just overall super excited to get down south for my first race of 2025. Everything looks beautiful, and that’s what truly gets me going and excited for races.”
XTERRA Puerto Rico offers the perfect launching point for athletes like Wright—those chasing qualification, international experience, and their next big leap in the sport.
From the XTERRA Trail Run World Series stop offering 58 slots to the 2025 Trail Run World Championship in Snowdonia in the 21K Trail Half Marathon, to the variety of additional races across the weekend—Duathlon, Aquathlon and 10K Trail Run—XTERRA Puerto Rico delivers something for everyone who’s drawn to live beyond the ordinary. Whether chasing qualification or simply showing up to share in the moment, participants and supporters alike are swept up in the atmosphere of outdoor energy and island culture.
“The XTERRA vibe is awesome here,” concludes Daniel Leon. “The volunteers are throughout the course, making sure everything is safe. You have to come to our Island to understand our vibe as well. Friendly hospitality is always there. Puertorriqueños always have the music inside, expressed through our salsa, merengue, bomba y plena, and now our reggaeton. Be ready to add a couple of pounds if you are up for Puerto Rican food and make sure you get mofongo, which is smashed plantain usually accompanied by some sort of sauced protein.”
John Wiygul sums it up simply by stating, “The overall feeling is a scene of sports adventure in a fun beach town in friendly Puerto Rico.”
In Cabo Rojo, the race is only part of the experience. The rest is found in the people, the place, and the pulse of an island that opens its arms to those who come ready to explore.
Follow XTERRA Americas for event updates.
XTERRA is a global lifestyle brand that champions the outdoor enthusiast in their pursuit of relentless adventure.
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