Returning to the Edge of Aus for the 2026 APAC Champs

What to Know about Southwest Australia

Dunsborough, the gateway to the Margaret River region, sits about three hours south of Perth. It rests along the calm curve of Geographe Bay, where clear water meets coastal bushland and the granite headlands of Meelup Regional Park. Trails weave through forest and along the coastline, opening to small beaches and rocky outcrops that make this corner of Western Australia feel both relaxed and wild in equal measure.

This coastline sits within Country cared for by the Noongar People, Traditional Custodians of the South West. Their connection to Boodja—the land and environment—continues to shape how this landscape is respected today. For our collective community, that matters. As Busselton Mayor Phill Cronin noted, the weekend is about inclusive programs that cater to all ages and abilities, where people come together to share in the challenge and camaraderie.

Starting the Weekend With World Cup Racing

Opening the action under the rising Australian sun will be the first stop of the 2026 XTERRA World Cup. This seven-stop series travels from the coastlines of Australia through the trails of Europe and North America, before returning to Europe and concluding in 2026's highly anticipated debut destination in Suzhou, China. Throughout the season, the world’s best off-road triathletes chase points and each other across this global circuit, looking to be crowned as the best across the season, while the World Championship remains the best on the day.

For many of the pros arriving from colder climates, this setting provides a chance to reset in the sun. As Scott Anderson, who has spent time training in Australia, shares: “I think the people that actually make the long journey down here quickly realize how great of a place it is and come again and again. For me, it’s special to meet everyone again after not seeing them over the winter, so it’s almost like a little reunion.” 

Italy’s Marta Menditto, the reigning World Cup champion, describes the atmosphere as "dreamy, beautiful, and relaxed," a sentiment echoed by the many who find the Dunsborough course an ideal start to the year. The mountain bike trails are fun and flowing, while the run captures the essential textures of off-road racing in Southwest Aus: rocks, sand, and rolling terrain.

For fans and spectators, it is a rare chance to witness the sport’s best take on the wild terrain of Western Australia up close. For the age-group athletes lining up behind the pros as part of the World Tour, it’s an opportunity to share the same water and trails with the world's top professionals. And for the pros themselves, Dunsborough is the first opportunity to put points on the board as the World Cup kicks off another journey through the world’s most beautiful and challenging landscapes.

World Cup Start Times:

Elite Men: March 28, 07:00 (GMT+8)
Elite Women: March 28, 07:03 (GMT+8)

The Off-Road Triathlon Takeover

Behind the pros taking to the waters on Saturday morning will be the legion of Full Distance off-road triathletes from across the region and around the world. Their journey begins with a swim in the clear water of Geographe bay, moving into the singletrack of Meelup Regional Park where the trails keep things honest with plenty of peagravel,  tight corners, and a constant shift in terrain underfoot. From there, a coastal run moves between paths, sand, and rocky sections before the final stretch back in.

For those within the region, this is the chance to compete for Asia-Pacific titles across every age division. But for all, it's a celebration of the sport that sparked movement in Maui three decades ago, now playing out across Australia’s wild west. 

New Zealand’s Anna Craig, the fastest women’s age group finisher in 2025, finds the magic in this regional connection: “What I love about the Asia-Pacific Championship is that it brings together people from all across the region. Last year it was so cool to see the group that came down from Japan and the energy they brought with them. Living in New Zealand you are quite isolated, so when you have success at home the natural next step is wanting to test yourself against a wider group of people. This feels like that perfect step”.

Whether chasing a regional title or simply testing personal limits, this is where athletes from all corners of the map come together on the same dirt. By the end, a new class of Asia-Pacific Champions will be crowned, while many others will have punched their ticket to the 2026 World Championship in Ruidoso, New Mexico.

APAC Champs Start Time:

Age Group Full Distance: March 28, 08:00 (GMT+8)

The Next Generation Adventures Begin

The Youth Tour also returns to Dunsborough as a celebration of where the adventure begins, with young athletes stepping into the trails through a format designed for determination and discovery. Across the course and through the village, it is a chance to see the next wave of the community find their place in the sport.

Perth’s Tori Stancombe, now in her third year on this course, captures the spirit of the challenge: “I remember the swim being very challenging, but I just keep pushing through it and into the mountain bike course which is really fun, so I just try to enjoy that part”.

The Asia-Pacific Champs will see all three youth divisions taking to the trails—Youth A, Youth B, and Junior—with the Super Sprint and Sprint distances designed to offer the right level of challenge.

Australia holds one of the most active youth fields in the world, and when these races kick off, you can expect full gas from the gun. It’s a field keen to take on the trails with all the energy you’d expect from a next generation set to lead the way. 

APAC Youth Champs Start Time:

Youth B & Junior: March 28, 11:10 (GMT+8)
Youth A: March 28, 15:10 (GMT+8)

Moving Together in the Trail Run Championship

The final day in Dunsborough shifts the focus to vast trails, where the Asia-Pacific Trail Run Championship is decided across the Marathon and Half Marathon distances. Runners from across the region and beyond line up with regional titles on the line for Asia-Pacific athletes and qualification spots to the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship available across divisions.

Busselton’s Meluka Bancroft, reigning age group champion, knows these trails well and sees the weekend from both sides. “Running at the XTERRA race is really exciting. I know Bunker Bay and Eagle Bay really well from walking along the beach, so it feels special to run them during a race. It’s easy to stay there for the race and spend time around the area. Another thing that stands out is how good it is for spectators. There are lots of opportunities for people to watch along the course, especially around the different beaches.”

The Trail Marathon covers 38K from Meelup Regional Park out towards Cape Naturaliste and back. It’s a course that keeps changing underfoot, with sections of technical trail, sandy stretches, and 4WD tracks that ask for patience and awareness over the full distance.

The Trail Half Marathon follows next with a 21K route through the same coastal and bushland trails, with plenty of variation and long stretches alongside Geographe Bay. Shortly after, the 10K Discovery Trail Run begins to open the door for anyone looking to step into the trails, whether it’s their first time or just a shorter way to be part of the weekend.

Across all three distances, it’s a day that reflects what XTERRA Trail Run has grown into, giving space for experienced runners to test themselves while keeping the experience open for those simply looking to get out there and be part of it.

Trail Run Start Times:

Trail Marathon: March 29, 07:30 (GMT+8)
Trail Half Marathon: March 29, 08:30 (GMT+8)
10K Discovery Trail Run: March 29, 08:45 (GMT+8)

Join the XTERRA Crew

Beyond the start lines, there’s plenty happening across the five days, from the coffee rides and runs, to the community course sessions, to the energy in the town that slowly builds. This is what championship weeks were made to feel like. It’s the kind of setup where people come and go, catch up, and stay a little longer than planned.

From the Groms just getting started to the veterans returning to add another notch on the belt, there’s a spot waiting for anyone willing to get out there. Entries remain open for those looking to join in. And for those who can’t make it to Dunsborough this time, you can follow the moments captured across the coastal trails on the Asia-Pacific and Trail Run Instagram accounts, and we’ll see you at the next one.