XTERRA Off-Road Triathlons: May ‘26

The vibe at XTERRA Weston Park is something special. The grassy fields, oak trees and an Estate older than some countries! This green space is an oasis of calm - only 20K away from Birmingham, providing a quintessential British XTERRA experience.  

The expo village moves lakeside for 2026, providing an opportunity for spectators to enjoy a leisurely stroll alongside the course as athletes navigate their way around the kidney bean-shaped swim leg. 

The bike course has a special place in my heart. Giving up weekends and evenings walking every inch of the estate, scoping out the best lines and locations before getting busy with the tools to shape the trails that have matured nicely over the last four years into a course that everyone can enjoy, regardless of how deep your mountain bike skill set runs.

The run course adds some elevation for 2026, still fairly flat and manageable as you head around an anticlockwise lap of the lake before hitting a maze of trails through the woodlands and orchards that will have you forget you’re still racing until you pop out of the trees and back into the beating heart of the finish line. 

With the whole of the Estate to play in for 2 days, the schedule is pretty chill so there will be plenty of time to kick back and relax, grab a bite to eat and enjoy the event in its entirety. For those of you inclined, the campsite will be open from Friday evening - campfire songs optional! 

I have been participating in XTERRA races since 2017. I was often the only Croatian at the races, at least until Mali Lošinj. I was very excited when I saw that the race would be organized again in 2025, so I came with friends and we turned it into a small holiday and used the opportunity to get to know the island a bit. I especially wanted to show my friends from Germany the beauty of our coast.

The swim, which is probably my strongest discipline, is tough, but I enjoy the excellent MTB course. The course is really diverse and unusual. I have ridden many European courses and this one is an excellent combination of town, forest, single trails, and stairs. I really enjoy it.

The run course makes you feel alone in nature, but it definitely stayed in my memory. In Mali Lošinj, walk the harbor, swim in Čikat Bay, and eat simple grilled fish or black risotto by the water. From Veli Lošinj to Nerezine to the village of Lubenice and the beautiful beach below it. Hiking on Osoršćica is also something I would recommend.

The local area is very welcoming to athletes coming in for the race, people and local businesses are so warm and friendly.  After the race, you can have a great time exploring more mountain biking trails around Birmingham and also at Coldwater Mountain in Anniston.

It is always fun to see and catch up with the other age group athletes from around the country, many of whom I have been seeing at these events for more than 12 years!

Oak Mountain State Park is a real gem, at the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains.  The terrain and trails are actually similar to Vermont where I am usually riding my bike, just hotter!