Rules

XTERRA Trail Run World Championship Qualification

Qualification Slots

Qualifying spots into the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship half and full marathon races will be awarded to the top finishing individual runners of each age-group at each event on the XTERRA Trail Run World Series as follows:

Slots per race and per gender for Marathon and Half-Marathon races.

Division

Gold Events - 116 slots

Silver Events - 58 slots

Standard Events - 28 slots

19U

2

1

1

20-24

4

2

1

25-29

4

2

1

30-34

6

3

1

35-39

6

3

1

40-44

6

3

1

45-49

6

3

1

50-54

6

3

1

55-59

4

2

1

60-64

4

2

1

65-69

4

2

1

70-74

2

1

1

75-79

2

1

1

80+

2

1

1

Note: Slots are only valid for the distance in which they were earned. If you earn a slot at a half marathon race, it qualifies you for the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship half-marathon. If you earn a slot at a marathon, it qualifies you for the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship marathon. Downgrading qualifying distances will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of XTERRA officials.

Special Circumstances:

Athletes who would like to be considered for a slot based on any special circumstances may apply by writing in to [email protected].

‍Age Group Classification

Your age-group is determined by your age on December 31 in the year of the championship race.

Divisions for men and women:

19U, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+, and Physically Challenged.  

Physically Challenged (PC) Athletes:

- Physically Challenged athletes may choose to compete in the XTERRA Physically Challenged division or in the XTERRA age group divisions. PC athletes must choose whether to race in the PC or age group division at their first race of the season and remain in that category for the remainder of the year.

- There are no PC age group divisions (19U, 20-24, etc.…) or disability categories (PT1, PT2, etc.…)

- All PC athletes who complete at least one qualifying race during the regular season will be invited to compete at the  XTERRA Trail Run World Championship half-marathon or full-marathon slot (depending on the distance where they qualified).

World Championship Races

- Top 3 finishers in each age group of the Trail Run World Championship races will receive slots to the following year's World Championship race.

- Top 3 overall per marathon and half marathon will receive free entry to the following year's World Championship race.

Transfer of Slots between Marathon and Half-Marathon Distance

Athletes may not transfer their slot for the half-marathon distance to the full marathon, unless under the following circumstances.

  • No desired distance format is available within a radius of 500km.
    Example : If an athlete wishes to win a slot for the XTERRA World Championship marathon distance, but only an XTERRA half-marathon is available within 500km of his home, the athlete can request to change the slot to marathon IF the runner finishes in the top 15 overall (men or women) of the completed XTERRA half-marathon race.

  • The top 3 men and women overall in the half marathon distance races at all XTERRA Trail Run World Series events can request to change their slot from half distance to full marathon distance.

Athletes who qualify for the marathon distance may only transfer to the half-marathon distance under exceptional circumstances and upon special request.

Requests need to be made by writing [email protected].

XTERRA Pass Program

The XTERRA Pass program provides a route for qualification to the XTERRA TRWC by offering slots to races that are not officially part of the Trail Run World Series. 

The XTERRA Pass program provides additional routes for qualification into the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship even if your local race is not part of the official Trail Run World Series. Find the full XTERRA Pass schedule here. 

*Please note, XTERRA Pass events will not be awarding points towards an athlete’s series ranking. 

Exceptions and Wild Cards‍

Elites can request slots by submitting proof of road or trail performances to [email protected].

Elites men:

  • Less than 2h30 min Marathon time (Within 2 years)

  • Less than 1h12 min Half marathon Time (Within 2 years)

  • Less than 32 min on 10km

  • Over 800 ITRA score for Men

Elites Women:

  • Less than 2h45 min Marathon time (Within 2 years)

  • Less than 1h25 min Half marathon Time (Within 2 years)

  • Less than 34 min on 10km

  • Over 700 ITRA score for Women

If you have any questions about qualification, please contact us at [email protected].