XTERRA Off-Road Triathlons: 2024 Season Closers

Speak to any athlete and they’ll tell you that the single greatest part of racing XTERRA is the community that comes together between the tape and often remains connected long after the race is over. It’s a community bound by compassion, resilience, and a spirit of adventure, and nowhere is the power of this bond felt more deeply than at the XTERRA World Championship.

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This year in Molveno, conditions seemed to change by the minute, ranging from predicted downpours to unexpected drops in temperature—circumstances that would have made many second-guess even showing up. 

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But not the XTERRA community. Instead of backing out, they dug in. 

Across social media, there were countless messages of encouragement, support, and camaraderie. And on the ground, when the sun finally shone through at just the right moment, we once again witnessed the true colours of what makes this community exceptional. Athletes helping one another through tough sections, cheering as competitors crossed the finish line, and celebrating not just victories, but the sheer determination it took to get there. It was a powerful reminder that XTERRA is more than a race—it’s a celebration of the human spirit in all its grit and glory.

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From Serrières and Billouin achieving the three-peat, to the five challenged athletes who completed the toughest race in off-road triathlon, to the entire community uniting to honour the extraordinary life of Rife Hilgartner, the 2024 XTERRA World Championship had it all. But perhaps the greatest triumph was the example set for participants of the first-ever XTERRA Youth World Championship. Those 200+ young trailblazers from over 20 countries witnessed what true sportsmanship, resilience, and community look like. They saw firsthand what it means to persevere, to lift each other up, and to embrace every challenge with courage and a smile. It’s this spirit that will inspire the next generation to not only race but to embody the values that make XTERRA a way of life.

For those looking for one last taste, just three races remain in 2024 before we all take a well-earned break and prepare for the adventures of 2025.

Set in the picturesque municipality of Castiadas, XTERRA Sardegna marks the final stop on the EMEA Tour and the perfect opportunity for athletes in the region to end the season on a white sand beach. With the race village based right out of the Garden Beach Hotel, the event combines the best of XTERRA racing with Sardinia's turquoise water, ancient terrain, and the rich cultural heritage and hospitality the island is famed for. 

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The Full-Distance race begins on the sandy shores of Cala Sinzias, where athletes will navigate a two-loop, 750-metre triangular course with sides of 250 metres. Conditions are typically calm, with clear postcard-worthy waters seeing athletes through the first leg of the race.

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Onto the bike, athletes will then take on a 15K loop repeated twice, navigating through scenic trails between Cala Sinzias and Cala Pira. The course is primarily dirt, featuring plenty of singletrack, climbs, descents, and iconic sand crossings, with stretches of loose rock that require sharp technical skills. Athletes will pass through the resort at the halfway mark for boost from the crowd before heading back into the second loop. The total elevation for the entire bike section comes in at 630+ metres. 

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The race concludes with a 5K run loop, also repeated twice for a total of 10K. Athletes will run along both dirt trails and stretches of shoreline sand, with approximately 3K of the route taking place on sandy beaches between Cala Sinzias, Marina di San Pietro, and Monte Turno. The elevation gain of around 160 metres, combined with the unique mix of terrain, will test runners’ endurance and versatility as they push toward what for many will be the finish line of the season.

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XTERRA Sardegna will also feature Sprint and Super Sprint Triathlons that serve as qualifiers for the 2025 XTERRA Youth World Championship, providing opportunities for younger athletes to compete internationally on the biggest stage of them all. Kids Triathlons for ages 9-13 will also be held, ensuring the youngest adventurers get their taste of XTERRA. For trail runners, Sardegna will host a 21K Half Marathon and a 43K Full Marathon, both of which will offer qualifying slots for the 2025 Trail Run World Championship in Snowdonia, Wales.

Often described as the perfect mix of beauty and brutality, XTERRA Tahiti delivers a truly tough race amidst some of the most inviting tropical landscapes in all of the APAC Tour. Taking place on the beautiful island of Moorea, famed for its pristine white sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, and lush jungle trails, this race is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. 

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The Full Distance adventure begins in the blue lagoon waters of Opunohu Bay, where one of the few A-B swims to feature on the World Tour will see athletes take on a near-straight 1.5K swim with the sight of the towering volcanic peaks of Moorea setting the tone for the day ahead. 

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Once back on dry land, athletes' endurance will be truly tested with a 34K bike loop that tackles 1,000+ metres of elevation gain. This ride takes athletes deep into the heart of Moorea, through challenging climbs and descents that wind through dense tropical jungle and past traditional Polynesian landscapes. The course is a mix of dirt paths, rugged trails, and lush greenery, requiring technical skills to navigate the often narrow, winding trails.

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The final 10K trail run pushes competitors through the heart of Moorea’s tropical forest. This route, featuring 340 metres of elevation gain, will have athletes climbing steep trails, navigating technical singletrack, and taking on the humidity of the lush jungle. With diverse terrain that includes both shaded jungle paths and open ridgelines offering panoramic views of the island and ocean, this run challenges athletes to push beyond their limits while immersing them in the incredible beauty of French Polynesia.

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Top performing Full-distance participants will be rewarded with slots in the World Championship event, while young guns aged 14-15 will also get their shot to earn a spot on off-road triathlon’s biggest stage through the open-to-all Super Sprint Triathlon held the same day.

A milestone ending to what has been a historic season, XTERRA Nepal makes its much-anticipated debut on the World Tour, bringing the thrill of off-road triathlon to the iconic city of Pokhara. Nestled at the foothills of the Annapurna Range, Pokhara, often known as Nepal's "City of Lakes," provides a stunning natural arena for this new chapter of the XTERRA journey. 

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The Full-Distance Triathlon begins with a 1.5K open-water swim in the pristine waters of Lake Begnas, one of Pokhara’s most beautiful lakes. Athletes will navigate the course in a counterclockwise direction for two laps, with a brief beach run in between. The calm waters of Lake Begnas offer a tranquil yet deceptive challenge, setting the stage for the adventure that follows.

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The 30K bike leg consists of two 14K loops, starting from the race venue at Begnas Lake. The route initially follows a brief paved section before transitioning to off-road jeep tracks along a water canal, leading riders through the iconic villages and farmlands of the area. The course features a mix of trails with loose rocks, challenging climbs, and scenic jungle sections along the way. Riders will climb to hilltops, pass through dense jungle, and enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks.

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The race ends with a demanding 10K trail run featuring a mix of single and double tracks that will test athletes' endurance. The run course crosses the dam at Lake Begnas before climbing toward the hilltop, with steep ascents and rewarding descents through jungle terrain. Athletes will pass by a fishery, ascend again to reach the highest point of the course, and wind through jungle paths that lead to a second serene lake. The final stretch takes runners up a small hill and through a local village, providing stunning Himalayan views that make the effort more than worthwhile as they make their way to the final finish line of the 2024 season.

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In addition to the Full-Distance Triathlon, the debut event offers a variety of races that cater to different levels of athletes. The event includes a Sprint Distance Triathlon that serves as a 2025 Youth World Championship qualifier, offering younger participants a chance to earn their spot on the big stage in Italy next year. Other races include a Duathlon, a 25K Trail Half Marathon offering qualification slots for the Trail Run World Championship, as well as 12K, 6K, and Kids Trail Runs.