September Events: Championship Season

The month begins with an off-road adventure at XTERRA Šumava in one of the Czech Republic's Bohemian Forests. Set against the picturesque Lake Lipno and the charming town of Horní Planá, XTERRA Šumava is the next of the Long Distance races that allows gravel bikers to put their endurance to the test.

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The Long Distance race starts with a ferry ride to the opposite shore to begin the 93.4K journey back across Lake Lipno and through the Šumava mountains. The 70K bike section has been specially designed for gravel bikes and will certainly favour the lighter bike over the traditional MTB. But no matter the bike, 28 slots to the 2024 XTERRA World Championship will be at stake for those able to finish top of their age division.

For those not ready to take on all 93.4K, there is also a gravel-friendly Sprint Triathlon that will see athletes take on a 700M swim, a 35K ride and a 7K run.

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After crossing the finish line, participants can look forward to an after-race barbecue on the beach in Horní Planá as an opportunity to relax, refuel, and spend time with the XTERRA Community while receiving some of that signature Czech hospitality.

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The final edition of the 2023 Auckland Trail Run & Walk Series heads just 30 mins north of the capital city to the Riverhead Forest, where an endless and ever-changing network of trails await, along with a sufficient amount of glorious mud and clay. 

There are 4 distances on offer, starting with a gentle 8K for beginners and speedsters, as well as a 16K, a 19K, and a 23.5K Trail Half Marathon that serves as a qualifying race for the Trail Run World Series. The mid and short courses are relatively friendly elevation wise, but for the 2 longer distances - be prepared for some real lung-buster sections.

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Mud and clay are what this event is all about, so best embrace it right from the start and be sure to lace up with a pair of shoes that has sufficient tread to get you through. If you don’t finish this one dirty, you didn’t do it properly.

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The last of the Trail Run World Series regional championships is set to play out between the towering peaks of the Brenta Dolomites, where 800 athletes from 20 different nationalities will gather for one of the most contested Trail Run races of the season so far. It’s a race that comes with endless superlatives, with the coldest temperatures and the most elevation balanced with possibly the most iconic views of the series. 

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Championship crowns await European-based age division winners of both the 45K Marathon and the 21K Half Marathon, while runners of any nationality can take their shot at the €5,200 in prize money.

Both races start and finish on the shore of the crystal-clear Lake Molveno, with the courses traversing prominent mountains such as Cima S. Maria and Cima di Campa before reaching the expansive Passo del Grosté plateau, covering the central portion of the Brenta mountain range. The runners then navigate in the shadow of iconic summits – Cima Brenta, Crozzon di Brenta, Cima Tosa, Campanile Basso, among others – before closing in on the crossing of Bocca di Brenta and finishing with the final descent back to the lake. 

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The UNESCO heritage site is a fitting backdrop for the last of the regional championships before the re-imagined Trail Run World Series heads to Maine, USA at the end of the month for the first ever qualification-only XTERRA Trail Run World Championship.

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XTERRA Japan can only be described as an all-out off-road festival with no less than 10 races spread across the 2-day event in Marunuma. Almost every race format is there - from triathlon to duathlon to aquathlon to open water swim - with different distances available in each. 

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The event takes participants through the untouched alpine beauty that surrounds the Katashina Village, where those brave enough to take on the longer distances will be rewarded with more of what makes Japan such an intriguing race destination.

The Long Distance race includes a 2K swim, 60K bike, and a 20K run to take participants through just about as much of the Japanese terrain as possible, while the Full Distance race offers 28 slots to the 2024 XTERRA World Championship.

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The rest of the races include a Sprint Triathlon, Light Triathlon, Light Duathlon, Light Aquathlon and Kids Triathlon to ensure nobody leaves without a taste of XTERRA racing.

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With the Wadden Island of Ameland as the backdrop, XTERRA Netherlands is the ultimate battle against the elements as participants navigate through the cold waters of the North Sea, before mountain biking and running through woods, dunes and on the treacherous beach. The beach ride is a signature section of XTERRA Netherlands that will put the leg strength of every athlete on full display, but the course is every bit as stunning as it is challenging as the race plays out in the middle of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

This year the Full Distance Triathlon will also act as host of the Dutch Cross Triathlon Championship, where pro athletes and age group athletes can compete together for honour and prize money. Age group athletes can also compete for the 28 slots to the 2024 XTERRA World Championship - the last to be held in Trentino, Italy. The Sprint Triathlon will also double as the Dutch Junior Championship for local athletes between the ages of 16-19, but athletes of all ages are welcome to compete. 

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XTERRA Netherlands has long been a place where young athletes get their start and this year will be no different. The Kids Triathlon is divided into four categories with separate races for those aged 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, and 14-15 years old.

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The first stop on the American Tour in September touches down in the biggest bucket-list destination of them all - the legendary Whistler. The World Class mountain resort town hardly needs any introduction and for the second year running, XTERRA Whistler will give off-road triathletes the opportunity to compete on arguably the best trails in Canada. 

The 2-day event offers 3 different distances for all ages and strength levels. Day 1 includes a Youth Triathlon with 3 different courses for 6-7, 8-11, and 12-15 year olds designed to challenge youngsters in a fun way that will leave them proud of their accomplishment. The opening day also includes a Sprint Triathlon for those looking to test the waters of off-road tri in one of the best locations possible.

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The feature race of XTERRA Whistler is the Full Distance race that takes place on the Sunday, where an elite prize purse of $3,000 CAD and 28 World Championship slots will be at stake. 

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The Full Distance race starts with a 1.5K swim in the crisp and clear waters of Lost Lake before heading into a 23K bike section that makes use of Whistler’s beginner and intermediate bike trails - including wooden bridges, some rock rolls, a few technical sections and the infamous hike-a-bike section. The run is fast and flowy with the exception of ‘The Wall’, but once you’ve conquered that it’s all downhill to the finish.

Taking place in fall, XTERRA Whistler gets the best of the spectacular colours, with the waters of Lake Lost at its best after a summer of warming to add another must-race experience to the World Tour.

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The final stop of the XTERRA Americas Tour for 2023 heads to another North American bucket-list destination as XTERRA Lake Tahoe plays out against the stunning backdrop of this pristine landmark location.

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The single-day event invites both off-road triathletes and trail runners to come experience the best that Lake Tahoe has to offer. 

A 5K and a 10K are on offer for the trail runners, with participants taking on the renowned trail system featuring tall pines, aspens and creek crossings. Run one lap for the 5K or two for the 10K. The second lap starts right back in the venue creating a fun viewing area for spectators to cheer on the 10K participants.

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There is also a Sprint Distance Triathlon and an Aquabike race for those looking to skip the run. But the feature race of the day will be the Full Distance Triathlon, where a 1.5K swim in Lake Tahoe, a 35.5K bike ride and a 10K trail run will decide who earns one of the 28 slots to the 2024 XTERRA World Championship.

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But no matter the result, be sure to stick around for the Big Blue BBQ after the race for some XTERRA-style recovery.

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The challenge at XTERRA Comino SwimRun & Trail encapsulates the spirit of the Maltese islands in a fusion of aquatic and terrestrial feats. Picture yourself traversing super-warm waters and scaling amazing cliff-top paths that offer jaw-dropping views of the Mediterranean expanse.

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Complementing previous triathlon and trail running XTERRA events in Malta and Gozo, this event unfolds on the idyllic island of Comino, renowned as one of the region's iconic nature reserves. The two races on the schedule feature the SwimRun Race (2K swim, 8K run) and the 8K Trail Run. 

Trail runners will discover a terrain that meanders through a landscape between rocky paths, and serene coastlines. As you navigate aromatic shrubs, wildflowers, and rustic trails, the Mediterranean Sea's panoramic vistas take shape around you. Elevation changes add a pulse-quickening dimension, challenging your endurance and agility. 

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Swimmers will be captivated by Comino's turquoise waters and a vibrant marine world, visible through the waters' clarity. This aquatic playground caters to swimmers of all inclinations.

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The island's rugged trails merge seamlessly with its inviting shores that define Comino's diverse landscapes. Whether you're conquering rocky paths in your trail shoes or embracing the tranquility of open water swims, Comino beckons, offering an exhilarating haven for athletes seeking the moment to conquer nature at its finest.

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The 27th edition of the XTERRA World Championship returns once again to the crystal waters of Lake Molveno and the trails that wind through the foothills of the Brenta Dolomites to decide who will be the crowned champion of the 2023 season. As the deciding race of the season and the final stop of the XTERRA World Cup, qualifying athletes from around the world will be joined by the biggest names in the sport as the world watches on for what is often described as off-road triathlons greatest day. 

The week-long event begins as early as the 19th, with bike, run, and swim clinics scheduled to give age group athletes the chance to test the course under the guidance of XTERRA’s best. But the action truly begins on the 21st, when the top 30 male and female athletes go head to head for crucial points in the final Short Track race of the XTERRA World Cup. The livestreamed race will no doubt set the mood for the 800+ triathletes onsite as they mentally prepare for the big day. 

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On September 23 at 10:00 local time, the Elites will lead the way as they dive into Lake Molveno to begin the 2023 XTERRA World Championship. The 1.5K swim is followed by a 32K bike ride through the stunning but challenging trails that connect Molveno and Andalo. The 10K run course follows the white-sand shores of Lake Molveno and heads into the beautiful forest tracks before an unforgettable finish beneath the arch where the 2023 class of XTERRA World Champions will be crowned.

For the first time ever, the Short Track format will be opened to age group athletes on the day after the Full Distance race. Relay teams will connect athletes from over 55 nationalities around the world in an opportunity to race together once again in the short and fast format. On the same day the future stars of XTERRA will get their chance to race as the Kids Races offer children from 6-19 the opportunity to experience XTERRA racing. The races will follow a duathlon format - a trail run section followed by a mountain bike and then another trail run section - with distances varying according to age group.

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This will be the penultimate XTERRA World Championship in Trentino, with the event moving to a new location following the 2024 XTERRA World Championship.

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Just one week after the XTERRA World Championship the spotlight turns to the trail runners as the first ever qualification-only XTERRA Trail Run World Championship heads to Maine, USA. The event is the culmination of the re-imagined Trail Run World Series which now connects the global XTERRA trail run community in a single series that includes 3 regional championships, 44 qualifying events in 19 countries, and 1 World Championship. 

In another first, the Trail Run World Championship will be contested on the trails of Sugarloaf Mountain, where the signature colours of Maine in the fall will set the backdrop for this pinnacle event of the series. The weekend-long trail running festival will see top elite and amateur runners compete for $10,000 in prize money and XTERRA championship crowns in both full and half marathon distances with live music, great food, and family entertainment to keep the energy high throughout the weekend.

The festival opens on September 30th with 5K and 10K runs open to all ages and skill levels to give the entire community a taste of the trails in Sugarloaf. On October 1st the headline races of the weekend will begin with the Full Distance Trail Marathon, where qualifying runners from over 20 different nationalities will take to the trails to compete for the World Championship crowns and the $6,800 prize purse. The Half Marathon Trail Run will follow with runners looking to add their names to the 2023 class of World Champions and the $3,200 prize purse. 

For those looking to experience the hype and atmosphere of a World Championship event, there is also an open category for the Marathon and Half Marathon where non-qualifying runners can enjoy the same trail as the pinnacle races and take in the sights of Sugarloaf Mountain, test the trails, and feel what it’s like to be a part of an XTERRA World Championship event.

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The 2023 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship will be marked as an important milestone in the history of XTERRA, and is set to pave the way for the future of the XTERRA Trail Run World Series.

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