XTERRA Off-Road Triathlons: Sep '24

As September dawns, nerves will kick in around the world as the idea of lining up with off-road triathlon’s best athletes on the shores of Lake Molveno becomes a reality for those heading to Trentino, Italy. No XTERRA World Championship comes without intense anticipation, but even so, this one feels bigger than ever.

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For starters, there are the sheer numbers. Over 1,000 of the world's best off-road triathletes will compete across the weekend, reaching the maximum number allowed for responsible trail use and a clear indication that the sport of off-road triathlon has never been stronger. On race day, titles across every single age division will be hard-fought and well-earned in a sport that’s thriving. Then there are the reigning World Champions, Arthur Serrières and Solenne Billouin, both on the cusp of greatness as they aim to win their third consecutive titles and cement their legacies. However, it won’t be easy; the competition level has significantly risen, and as the race in Czech showed us, this could be one of the most unpredictable World Championships in recent history.

Finally, this year marks the start of a new era, as the world's best emerging athletes aged 14-19 will share the stage with the pros and top age group athletes for the first time with the XTERRA Youth World Championship now an official part of off-road triathlon’s greatest day.

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With September's arrival, the countdown begins to a battle that will not only define the 2024 XTERRA World Champions but also shape the future of XTERRA for years to come.

XTERRA Whistler, set in the renowned landscape of British Columbia, is a bucket-list event that combines the best of XTERRA racing with some of the most iconic trails in the world. Held in the fall, this world-class mountain resort town allows participants to experience Whistler's vibrant autumn colors and fresh mountain air while taking on one of the most exciting courses on the Americas Tour.

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The Full Distance Triathlon kicks off with a 1,500m swim in the pristine waters of Lost Lake. Participants complete two loops, exiting onto the beach halfway through, which provides a brief respite before diving back in for the second lap.

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Once on dry land, competitors will embark on a 25.2K journey through Lost Lake’s famed trail network. The bike course is a challenging blend of gravel roads, double-track green trails, and technical blue singletracks. Featuring root-filled paths, rocky sections, and demanding uphills, the course also includes a notorious hike-a-bike section that tests both physical stamina and technical skills. It’s advisable for athletes to pre-ride the course to fully prepare for the demanding ride.

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The race culminates with a 10K run that mirrors the diversity and challenge of the bike course. Athletes will tackle a mix of gravel paths and technical trails that extend along the scenic Sea to Sky Trail before looping back through the network to the finish line.

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28 World Championship slots will be available for those looking to secure their spot at XTERRA Worlds 2025.

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Whistler’s charm extends beyond the racecourse. Known as the “Disneyland” of mountain resorts, it offers a plethora of activities for families and spectators. Alongside the Full Distance Triathlon, XTERRA Whistler will also feature a Sprint Triathlon that will provide top-performing Junior and Youth B athletes with slots to the XTERRA Youth World Championship, as well as a shorter Youth Triathlon and a Kids Triathlon. After all, you’re never too young to get a taste of the world’s best trails.

XTERRA Lake Tahoe showcases the rugged beauty of one of North America's most magnificent lakes, Sand Harbor State Park. Known for its crystal-clear waters and panoramic vistas, this event offers the best of off-road triathlon in one of North America’s trail sport hotbeds.

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The Full Distance race begins with a 1,500-meter swim in the cool, pure waters of Lake Tahoe, known for its depth and clarity. Athletes launch from a sandy beach straight into the washing machine of white water and elbows as packs form and the race starts to take shape.

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After the swim, competitors face a 35.5K mountain bike ride that starts with a gradual ascent up Tunnel Creek. This segment transitions into the Flume Trail, a path that hugs the mountainside and offers unforgettable views of Lake Tahoe. The course then winds past Marlette Lake and descends on the fast and rocky Tahoe Rim Trail, making for an epic yet demanding ride with around 1,220 meters of climbing in total.

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The event concludes with a 10K trail run that features a scenic loop through aspen and pine forests, interspersed with creek crossings. While less elevation-intensive than the bike course, this run still challenges athletes with a fair amount of technicality.

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In addition to the Full Distance Triathlon, XTERRA Lake Tahoe hosts a variety of other races, including an aquabike event and 5K and 10K trail runs, catering to a broad range of athletic abilities. A Sprint Triathlon also serves as a qualifier for young athletes aged 14-19 to earn their slot to the 2025 XTERRA Youth World Championship.

Making its official debut on the World Tour, XTERRA Branson Mountain Man takes place in the legendary landscapes of the Ozarks at Table Rock State Park in Branson, Missouri. Known for its picturesque scenery and raw terrain, this latest addition to the Americas Tour offers off-road triathletes a signature blend of natural beauty and tough competition, with 28 slots up for grabs for athletes in the Midwest looking to secure their spot at the 2025 XTERRA World Championship.

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The Full Distance Triathlon begins with a 1.5K swim in the clear waters of Table Rock Lake. Competitors start from the boat launch, following an out-and-back course designed to test their endurance from the start.

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Exiting the swim, athletes transition to a two-lap, 30K mountain bike ride that starts on a paved path along the Lakeside Trail before turning onto a dirt trail that leads into the White River Valley Trail System. This segment includes a series of technical trails and climbs, requiring athletes to ride through a network of connectors and loops, including the Blue and Orange Loops that local riders will be familiar with. After completing the first lap, athletes transition back onto the paved section before re-entering the trail system for the second lap.

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The race finishes on the feet with a 10K trail run through lush forests and rugged terrain that reflects the natural beauty of the Ozarks. This loop challenges runners with varying elevations and technical paths, making for a tough finish to the race.

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With age group athletes vying for the 28 World Championship slots in the Full Distance race, youth athletes will have their chance to earn their ticket to the big stage in the Sprint Triathlon, where 5 Youth World Championship slots for men and 5 for women will be up for grabs in each of the Junior, Youth A, and Youth B categories.

The biggest race of the season and the biggest stage of all in off-road triathlon. This will be the 28th edition of the XTERRA World Championship, and as the sport grows from strength to strength, this one will pack a punch. Last year the pinnacle event added a new element in the form of the final stop of the debuting World Cup, XTERRA’s pro series. This year will feature another debut as the long-awaited Youth World Championship marks the culmination of the first full run-through of the Youth, adding the final piece of the puzzle for young athletes to progress within the sport from junior level, to age grouper, and even to pro. 

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The World Championship event once again returns to Dolomite Mountains in Trentino Italy, attracting a maximum capacity field of 1,000+ athletes from 52 countries around the world. Of those countries, France will be the most represented nation, followed closely by the USA and the host country, and with strong contingents from Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, the UK, and Canada. Athletes will also come from as far afield as Zimbabwe, Kuwait, Oman, Slovenia, and Guatemala. 

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The Full Distance World Championship race begins with a 1.5K swim in the cold yet crystal-clear waters of Lake Molveno, navigating an "M"-shaped course with an Australian exit that will have athletes diving off the pier before heading into the second half of the swim. 

The 32K bike course, consisting of two 16K laps, challenges competitors with a diverse terrain that encapsulates the rugged beauty of the Brenta Dolomites. Starting with a flat 3-kilometer loop around the lake, the course quickly ascends through a mix of gravel and rocky trails. Athletes will climb to the course's highest point within the first ten kilometres, followed by a fast descent that includes both smooth sections and more technical areas laden with roots and rocks that will reward those with good bike handling skills. The lap concludes with a ride through Molveno and directly into the race village where a series of wooden ramps and berms will put on a show for the crowds before athletes head back alongside the lake for the second lap. 

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The biggest change in the course comes on the final 10K trail run, which will be in the reverse direction from the two previous years. This year the 2-lap run will begin at pace along a wide fire road before heading into the more technical aspects of the course which includes challenging single tracks with steep ascents and descents. Athletes will then exit the mountain trails to link up with the beach of Lake Molveno to either run through the village and back into the second lap or across the finish line that will decide the 2024 class of XTERRA World Champions. 

The week-long event is designed as an inclusive celebration of the sport of cross-triathlon. Community-centric activities throughout the week include swim, bike, and run clinics led by pro athletes, Q&A sessions with legends of the sport, an open-air move night to shine a light on the characters, communities, and cultures that have shaped the environments we explore, and culturally themed dinners to honour the competitors of the 2024 World Championship and next class of XTERRA World Champions.

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The livestreamed Short Track race will get the racing started on Thursday as the pros battle it in the final fast-format race of the World Cup series. Saturday will then see the Elite and Age Group categories compete for the title of 2024 XTERRA World Champion, with this race also being streamed live. The Junior, Youth A, and Youth B athletes will then take centre stage on Sunday to compete for the inaugural Youth World Champion crowns in each respective category.