June Events: Titles and Terrains

XTERRA Costa Brava is the first of the new terrains this month that will be raced for the very first time, offering a signature XTERRA race experience through the ocean waters, rocky cliffs covered in lush greenery and quaint villages of North East Spain, seamlessly blending the natural beauty of the location with technical trails designed to put athletes to the test.

The full-distance triathlon starts with a 1.5K swim in the Mediterranean Sea, followed by a 30K mountain bike ride through rocky singletrack trails in the foothills that lie just behind the town of Sant Antoni de Calonge, and finally finishes with a technical 10K trail run along the beautiful but deceptively hard coastal path. 

‍

The full-distance race enters the 2023 season as the 8th stop on the EMEA Tour and will offer 28 qualifying slots to the best local and international athletes looking to claim their place on the starting line at the XTERRA World Championship this year.

‍

The inaugural event will also include a sprint triathlon for the short distance specialists to take on the terrain of Costa Brava across a 750m swim, 15K bike and 5K run to the finish.

‍

Undoubtedly the single most anticipated race this month and of the season so far, XTERRA Belgium returns once again to the legendary Citadel as the official host of the 2023 European Championship and Stop #3 of the XTERRA World Cup. 

‍

This is a race defined by the history of the location, the intensity of the competition, and the atmosphere created by the fans. It’s been 4 years since the race was last held at the Citadel, an iconic fortress that embodies the history and strength of the city of Namur, and fans will no doubt show up in numbers to support the most contested race of the EMEA Tour in the fight to be crowned the next XTERRA European Champion. It’s no secret that the XTERRA rankings are currently dominated by European athletes and this will be on full display in Belgium. Expect both current XTERRA Champions to be joined on the start line by almost every male and female currently in the top 10. 

The biggest showdowns of the weeknd will be the full-distance championship race on Saturday and the livestreamed Short Track race on Sunday, but the event will feature no less than 9 events across the weekend with no shortage of food, drinks and music coming together to deliver that signature mix of race and party that has become synonymous with XTERRA Belgium.

‍

The first of four races in the XTERRA Quebec Series takes place in Tremblant, a unique ecological preserve that is transformed for just one weekend a year into an incredible endurance sports arena.

‍

Over the past 20 years, Tremblant has championed a multitude of green initiatives ranging from waste management best practices promoting recycling and composting to using free shuttles, carpooling, and electric carts. The results reveal a stunning natural environment and a community determined to keep it that way, and they even offer visitors the opportunity to do their part by offsetting their CO2 emissions.

In Tremblant, athletes can run the 20K trail run to try and qualify for the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship which is happening nearby at Sugarloaf Resort in Maine on October 1, or the full-distance off-road triathlon to chase a slot into XTERRA triathlon Worlds in Trentino, Italy.

‍

For those out just to celebrate the healthy, active, outdoors lifestyle there are kids races, 3, 6, and 11K trail runs, and youth sprint and full distance duathlons and triathlons.

‍

Halfway between Austin and Dallas, Texas along the Brazos River you’ll find Cameron Park, a 400-acre oasis with undulating singletrack trails that weave up and down pretty white limestone ledges.

‍

“The course will take your breath away as you go up and down climb after climb, in and out of cedar breaks, and into dark bamboo forests,” explained race director Joel Grimmett.

There’s two worlds’ qualifiers on offer, with the full-distance off-road triathlon on Saturday and the 20K trail run on Sunday, and plenty of brisket and pie to fill you up when the day is done.

‍

The Lone Star State is renowned for having the coolest crowd in XTERRA, although you can count on it being “hotter than a stolen tamale” come race day.

‍

Nestled within the awe-inspiring Hunua Ranges, a sanctuary of untamed wilderness just beyond the bustling cityscape of Auckland, awaits the next stop of the XTERRA Auckland Trail Run & Walk Series.

‍

Already a sold-out event, the series has grown in popularity due its friendly, community-based feel, welcoming athletes of all abilities to explore the natural beauty that lies just beyond the city’s edge.

As with all races in the series, the event offers 4 distances, ranging from 6-24K, the longest of which will offer competitive runners qualifying slots to the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship in Maine, USA later this year. 

‍

Not new to the XTERRA circuit but an entirely new course waiting to be conquered, XTERRA Switzerland is primed and ready to show local and international athletes all the reasons why the Vallée de la Brévine is the ultimate location for off-road racing. 

‍

Driven by the multi-sports event company, SportPlus, the event will host 6 races across two days, with the full-distance triathlon serving as the pinnacle race with €7,500 in elite prize money and 28 XTERRA World Championship slots up for grabs. 

Starting from the shores of the Taillères Lake, the full-distance race begins with a 1.5K open-water lake swim before heading into the fields and forests that surround the Neuchâtel Mountains for a 34K bike ride with regular short climbs and descents. The race then ends with an 11K trail run through off-road forest and pasture terrain and back to the finish.

‍

‍XTERRA Switzerland is considered to be a beginner-friendly course, with excellent transport connections making it an ideal choice for first-time XTERRA competitors to gain off-road experience and for local athletes looking to claim their place at the biggest race of the season in Trentino, Italy later this year.

‍

SOLD-OUT. Again. XTERRA Lory is limited by the park to 350 competitors and has reached capacity months before the race every year since 2009.

Held in Lory State Park along the Rocky Mountain foothills in northern Colorado, the race and place epitomize XTERRA.

‍

“The course is the perfect opportunity for road triathletes looking to taste the off-road culture, but also features challenging aspects on the run course to really push the seasoned off-road triathlete,” explained event organizer, Lance Panigutti.

‍

The scenic swim takes place in-between the steep canyon walls of Eltuk Bay, and there’s a stand-up paddle option for those who would rather enjoy the view from up high. From there, the gentle bike course allows beginners to challenge themselves without feeling overwhelmed.  

“The run course is where athletes will really feel the burn,” said Panigutti. “With a two-mile switchback climb right out of transition, this punishing quad burner at least comes with breathtaking views in all directions.”

‍

Located just 30 minutes south of the trendy college town of Fort Collins, there are plenty of fun food and lodging options for every budget. 

If you didn’t get in this year, set yourself a reminder to sign-up early next year, and be sure to sign-up for the XTERRA USA Championship in Avon, Colorado on August 26 while the gettin’ is good!

‍

An all-new addition to the XTERRA Trail Run World Series, XTERRA Awesome Akatarawas now forms the 5th and final stop on the local XTERRA Wellington Trail Run & Walk Series.

‍

This course provides a diverse mix of MTB tracks, horse trails, open field running and bush, serving up magnificent views out over the sea towards Kapiti Island along the way. Whilst still delivering the grit and challenge expected of an XTERRA course, Awesome Akatarawas is arguably the least technical venue of the series, making it the ideal race to bring friends, family and even colleagues to get a first taste of XTERRA. 

Accommodating runners of all abilities, the event offers 3 separate distances, from 7-17K, with the 17K offering top runners a ticket to the big show at the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship.

‍

The last stop in June is also the latest addition to the EMEA Tour. XTERRA Valachy is the first of two XTERRA events to be held in the Czech Republic this year, giving local athletes more chances to qualify for the XTERRA World Championship which will be held in Europe for only the second time this year.

‍

Over 1,000 athletes have already signed up to the debut event, which will see the full-distance triathlon headline the weekend alongside two shorter distance triathlons designed for short distance specialists and first timers, with a kids triathlon and a kids run rounding out the weekend.

Prior to joining the XTERRA EMEA Tour, the Valachyman race stood as a timeless classic event, renowned for its enduring legacy. This iconic course, revered for countless years, epitomized the essence of a long-standing tradition that has captivated participants and spectators alike.

‍