XTERRA Trail Run Adventures: March '24

With the opening races of the season done and dusted, the Trail Run World Series now looks to the first major milestone of the season as Asia-Pacific’s top age division runners gear up to compete for regional championship titles at the 2024 APAC Trail Run Championship. 

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The race returns for a second year to the trails of Kenting, Taiwan, where the footing, speed and power of every runner will be tested with sections of high technicality, fast flow, and tough climbs. It was here last year that the relatively unknown Hậu Hà Thị of Vietnam dominated the Full Marathon to establish herself as one of Asia-Pacific’s most promising runners and secure her name in the 2023 class of APAC Trail Run Champions.

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Multiple nationalities from the APAC region and further abroad are set to be represented in the Half and Full Marathon races. Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Philippines, and Australia are just a few of the APAC nationalities already confirmed on the start list, with runners also coming from as far afield as Nicaragua, Belgium, and the USA. Only those representing the APAC region will be in contention for the age division Asia-Pacific Trail Run Championship crowns, but the prize purse can and will be claimed by the fastest runners on the day, regardless of nationality. 

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The first of the regional championships goes down in Taiwan on March 24, but not before the Trail Run World Series makes a stop at the Khasab Fort in Oman and the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, USA.

When Oman joined the XTERRA circuit in 2023, it brought with it one of the most unique terrains and cultural experiences for the XTERRA Community to explore. Often referred to as the ‘Norway of Arabia’, Oman is a paradise of towering mountains, rugged cliffs, and crystal clear turquoise waters. The combination of dramatic fjords and untouched beauty makes it any adventure enthusiast’s dream, while the fascinating tapestry of cultural heritage evident throughout the country leaves plenty more exploring to be done off the trails. 

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This year XTERRA Oman is ready to back up their debut success with another 2-day trail festival designed to showcase the country's proud cultural heritage and deliver a world-class race experience to both local and travelling runners. 

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The Half Marathon, which is not for the faint-hearted, starts and ends at the Khasab Fort - a Portuguese-built castle dating back to the 17th century. From there, the 21K run challenges runners through plenty of rocky terrain and steep climbs that contribute to the 500m+ of elevation gain. Expect plenty of local support along the way, and with every climb comes another stunning vista of the Omani peninsula. 

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For runners not chasing World Championship slots, there is also a 10K trail run that will offer just as much adventure and challenge without all the elevation. The kids races will round out the racing for Saturday, with Sunday dedicated to those taking on the XTERRA Oman Full Distance Triathlon.

The Black Canyon Trail traces back to the early 19th century, when the sole purpose of the trail's 130K+ of singletrack was to link local settlements and provide a path to travel long distances. Designated as a National Recreation Trail in 2008, the historic path through the Sonoran Desert landscape will now set the stage for the final stop of the Arizona Trail Run Series, and ultimately decide which runners will punch their ticket to the XTERRA Trail Run World Champs in Maine, USA. Of the 6 races in the Arizona series, Black Canyon offers the single most World Champs slots, with 58 slots each allocated for the Full and Half Marathon.

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The 42K Marathon and 21K Half both make full use of what is widely considered as some of the best singletrack in the area. The trail features diverse and rugged desert terrain with a mix of rolling hills, water crossings, sandy stretches, and rocky river beds for a dynamic and varied running experience. Rocky outcrops and viewpoints along the way offer breath-taking vistas of the Sonoran Desert, rugged mountains, and the iconic saguaro cacti which are in full bloom at this time of year. 

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Those taking on the Full Marathon will do 2 loops of the Half, beginning with a steep ascent from the fields of Deep Canyon Ranch to the Black Canyon National Recreation Trail. From there the trail heads south along a mix of single and double track before descending into the Agua Fria River Basin. The first river crossing is followed by a short jaunt through the riverbed and 1.5K of desert double track. After the 2nd aid station the race doubles back before climbing the switchbacks back up to the Black Canyon Trailhead and another well-earned aid station. The race ends with a descent down to the singletrack section that leads back to Deep Canyon Ranch, or for those taking on the Full Marathon - it’s just half way. 

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The Arizona Trail Run Series has expertly fostered a welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere, and friends and family are encouraged to get involved in the 10K and 6K trail runs that are also on offer. The event has moved the starting location, but runners from previous editions can still look forward to that famous pie, courtesy of Mamma Toledo’s Pie Hole. Camping is also available for $10 per night for those looking to stay near the race venue.

The APAC Trail Run Champs is heading back to Taiwan with the double-feature format set to see thousands of trail runners, triathletes, and spectators descend on the sunny beach town of Kenting. Saturday will see the opening race of the XTERRA World Cup and the crowning of the 2024 APAC Triathlon Champions, with 1,000+ trail runners taking to the trails of Kenting National Park on Sunday in the hopes of beginning their reign as the next APAC Trail Run Champion of their age division. 

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All trail runs start and end on Stony Brook Farm inside the national park, where the energy will be electric throughout the weekend with DJs, cultural performances, and a variety of activities adding to race action. 

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Championship titles will be awarded to the fastest male and female of each age division in both the Half and Full Marathon races and, given the course that stands in their way - it will be a title well-earned. 

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The course starts fast with a hard-packed track that will suit runners who enjoy taking on obstacles at speed, but that soon leads into the first climb of the race. On the scale of what the southern mountains of Taiwan can sometimes ask, the climb is not steep, but hot weather and high humidity may be a factor for those who are not prepared. Make it to the top and a mind-blowing descent awaits with some of the best views Kenting National Park has to offer. The race continues with more climbs and technicality in the form of rocky sections and rope assistance before heading up the infamous Menmaluo Mountain for a 360-degree view of mountain and ocean. This is where the Half and the Full split, with the Half Marathon runners heading to the rocky riverbed section that leads back to the finish while the Full Marathon runners brace themselves for a demanding uphill stretch that will squeeze out every ounce of endurance as they begin the additional 15K of the championship race. 

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Both championship races include a multitude of mixed terrains that require strength, speed, and technical footing, with those who get through it the fastest crowned the 2024 APAC Trail Run Champion. 

The 2-day event is an all-out trail festival with the race village serving as the central hub. A 13K and 7K will add to the trail runs on Sunday, while the Full Distance Triathlon, XC Mountain Bike race and Kids Duathlon will all contribute to the trail action on Saturday. Free shuttle buses will be available between Kenting and the race village throughout the weekend, with large LED screens and viewing sections set up for the livestreamed XTERRA World Cup race on Saturday.