XTERRA Trail Run Adventures: April '24

With the dust still settling on the trails of Kenting National Park, a new set of Asia-Pacific Trail Run Champions has just begun their reign after a hot and humid weekend of championship racing in Taiwan.

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We knew Sandi Menchi Abahan was something special coming into the event and the multi-talented Filipino athlete certainly did not disappoint, claiming the overall win in the 36K Trail Marathon women’s race while also picking up the prize for all three segment challenges on her way to the title. Taiwan’s Song Ming Syu took the overall men’s title by virtue of being the first runner from the region to finish. Syu finished just behind Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen (DNK), Sebastien Carabin (BEL), and Maxim Chané (FRA) to take the APAC Trail Marathon Championship men’s title in just 3:42:12.

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In the 21K Trail Half Marathon, it was Ting Wei Zeng of Taiwan who returned back from the mountains first to break the tape and claim the title of APAC Trail Half Marathon Champion in a time of 2:00:16. Zeng also picked up the prizes for fastest sprinter and fastest climber in the segment challenge, while Yi Chun Chen, also of Taiwan, claimed fastest climber and fastest downhiller on her way to the women’s Trail Half Marathon Championship title.

With the sun now setting on that first regional championship, the focus shifts back to the thousands of kilometres of trail that lead to Sugarloaf Mountain, where the biggest title of them all awaits the world’s best at the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship in September this year.

One of Asia-Pacific’s biggest hitters on the XTERRA circuit, the XTERRA Rotorua Festival is braced and ready for a weekend of trail sports where trail runners will share the mighty Redwoods with triathletes, duathletes, and MTB riders. 

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The 21K Trail Half Marathon will take runners on a guided tour through the giant Redwoods of Whakarewarewa Forest Park, weaving through the lush greenery of the tropical forest and along the crisp waters of Lake Tikitapu and Lake Rotokakahi. The run features a moderate amount of climbing with a total of 378m of elevation, and 28 World Championship slots for those getting to the finish fastest within their age division.

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The 11K and 5K races round out the trail running for the weekend, while a Full Distance Triathlon, a Short Distance Triathlon, a Duathlon, and a 26K MTB race complete the 7-race festival on New Zealand's North Island.

Back on the XTERRA circuit this year, XTERRA Puerto Rico returns not only with an enticing new venue but also as the 5th stop on the 2024 Trail Run World Series. Taking place in the coastal town of Cabo Rojo, the 2-day, 7-race festival features two separate distances for trail runners to choose just how much they’re willing to explore. The location is known for its towering limestone cliffs, stunning beaches, and idyllic nature reserves, while an experienced event team is ready to honour the debut of the new venue with an unforgettable weekend of XTERRA racing.

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Starting bright and early on Combate Beach, the 21K Trail Half Marathon offers a beautiful yet challenging run, taking runners on a 2-loop adventure that consists mainly of open fire-roads and long stretches of singletrack. The course is 100% runnable with a couple of punchy climbs contributing to the 200m (650 feet) of elevation gain along the way. There is not a lot of high vegetation along the trail, so expect a warm run under the Puerto Rican sun. For those fastest in their age group, a total of 58 World Championship slots will be on the line for those gunning for a chance to compete in Maine, USA.

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The 10K Trail Run will follow the 21K participants, starting a little later and taking on just shy of a single loop of the Half Marathon. The Swim Run and Gravel races will add to the action of Saturday, before the triathletes and duathletes take centre stage on Sunday.

One of the biggest European races on the Trail Run World Series, XTERRA Trail des Balcons d’Azur offers 3 trail run races specifically designed for enthusiasts of the sport. Starting and finishing in Mandelieu La Napoule on the French riviera, only 35 kilometres from Nice International Airport, the trails skirt the line between ocean and land where the blue Mediterranean Sea meets the famous red rock formations of the Estérel regional Park.

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The 23K Trail Half Marathon is the shortest of the 3 distances, serving as a gateway to the Trail des Balcons d'Azur and coming in at 900m+ of elevation gain and with 116 WC slots awarded to top age group performers. 

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The 47K Marathon, also known as the Trail des Balcons d'Azur, is the biggest draw of the weekend and has consistently attracted hundreds of runners eager to take on this epic course. With 2200m+ of elevation gain it’s certainly not for the faint of heart, but it will reward runners with some of the best trails and views the region has to offer. Just as with the Half, 116 WC slots will be at stake for those taking on the Full. 

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For those who love to suffer, the Ultra Trail des Balcons d'Azur will do just that as the 68K course heads into a near-vertical climb with 3200m+ of elevation. This race demands excellent training, good equipment and a strong character. No WC qualifying slots, but all the bragging rights awarded to every finisher. 

The second of four events for those in the Americas region looking to pick up World Championship slots in April, XTERRA Chile is set to offer a challenging yet enjoyable Trail Half Marathon as just one of the 4 races that make up the 2-day event in the beachside town of Zapallar. 

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The 16K Half will be the first race to get the adrenaline pumping for those at XTERRA Chile, with runners competing for the 58 WC slots at stake. The following day will see triathletes taking on the Full Distance and Short Distance races, with an Open Water Swim race completing the event that promises an unforgettable experience for athletes seeking the ultimate outdoor challenge.

Last year XTERRA Australia made a huge splash when the event returned to the XTERRA circuit to unveil a brand new venue in Dunsborough, and this year they’ve done it again by bringing the trail run community into the fold with a place on the Trail Run World Series. The event epitomises the XTERRA DNA, combining world-class trails with an unmistakable atmosphere fueled by a community passionate about trail sports and good times. The 2023 debut of the new location on Dunsborough saw an epic weekend of all-out racing, and now with the vibrant trail run community set to join the fray, 2024 will undoubtedly be one for the books. 

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The 2 trail runs on offer cut through the pure wilderness of what can only be described as a trail running paradise. Winding through large sections of the famous Meelup Coastal Trail, both the 21K and 10K runs are like a sightseeing tour of the region’s most spectacular natural landscapes, such as Castle Rock, Meelup and other secluded beaches, the hinterland wildflowers, quiet country lanes flanked with vines, endless views over crystal clear water and much more – all in the ever present company of kangaroos, kookaburra’s and plenty of other (friendly) wildlife. The runs don’t cross any roads at all, leaving just you, the trail, the wilderness for a pure trail run experience.

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The 21K Trail Half Marathon comes with 340m of total elevation gain and serves as an XTERRA Trail Run World Championship qualifier, with 58 slots for top performers. The 10K requires just 130m of climbing and serves as the perfect stepping stone for those looking for their first taste of XTERRA racing.

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XTERRA Australia is an all-out action weekend, with trail enthusiasts of every kind converging in Dunsborough. Alongside the 2 trail runs will be the XTERRA Full Distance Triathlon, a Short Distance Triathlon, a Kids Triathlon, and a Groms Race as it’s never too early to discover the joy of off-road racing.

A long-time feature on the XTERRA circuit, XTERRA ATX is set to head back to Pace Bend Park where trails runners, triathletes and duathletes will take on the spectacular trails that run alongside Lake Travis in Austin, Texas, USA. The 5-race off-road festival spans 2 days, with the second day dedicated to the trail run community. 

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The 21K Trail Half Marathon is a challenging course that will have runners navigating limestone ledges, numerous rock gardens, some steep climbs, technical drop-offs and plenty of smooth trails in between to help recover before reaching the next obstacle on the trail. Those looking for a qualifying slot to the World Trail Run Champs will need to earn it the hard way as only 28 slots are available for this race. 

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For those not ready to take on the full 21K, there will also be a 10.5K that offers all a taste of the trails and all the scenery that comes with it, but without having to do another loop. Completing the lineup of XTERRA racing throughout the weekend is the signature XTERRA Full Distance Triathlon, a Sprint Triathlon, and a Duathlon for those looking to skip the swim.

The month of April ends strong with one of the most action packed events of all. XTERRA New Jersey brings together trail enthusiasts of all types with a tasty lineup of 12 epic races in just 2 days, all of which take full advantage of one of the most picturesque parks in the Northeast United States. It’s a must-race-once event for any XTERRA fan in the Americas, and even one to put on the list for those looking for their next non-local XTERRA experience. 

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The trail runs make up just 4 of the 12 races, with the 42K Marathon and 21K Trail Half Marathon serving as qualifiers for the World Champs in Maine this September, and the 5K and 10K offering a great way to get out and experience the beautiful Wawayanda trails with like-minded people. 

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All 4 trail runs start at the beachfront of the majestic Wawayanda Lake. The trails are an incredible mix of all types of terrain. The 21K Half Marathon Course is made of two unique loops, which both start and finish at the base camp area. The first 7-mile loop is very similar to the XTERRA New Jersey bike course and features a mix of singletrack and gravel roads. Runners will cross through the finish chute and pass an aid station before starting on the more technical second loop which heads deep into the forest with plenty of rocky goodness. Those ready to take on the 42K Marathon will repeat the same two loops a second time. 

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The first loop is fast and flowy while the second loop is much more challenging and having a good run strategy will be key to winning one of the 28 XTERRA Trail Run World Championships qualifying slots available in each of the distances.

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XTERRA New Jersey is a full on festival of off-road racing, including triathlons, duathlons, aquabike races, gravel bike races, and MTB races. Check out the full line up on the event page, and if it’s not already on your list this year, go ahead and add it to the wish-list for 2025!

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Visit the Trail Run World Series page to see all qualifying events coming up this year, and be sure to also check the XTERRA Pass page for additional races that could provide your slot to the 2024 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship.