XTERRA World Championship

Join us and be part of a fantastic international event weekend with some of the best athletes from all over the world swimming, biking, and running right in Ruidoso. We are looking for groups or individuals to serve as course marshals and sweeps, help with timing, and hand out recovery at aid stations. No previous experience is necessary.

Volunteers will get an event t-shirt, food, and the undying gratitude of the XTERRA family.

SIGN UP HERE!

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

We hope to see you there!

Ruidoso is located in southern New Mexico, between Alamogordo and Roswell. The nearest airport with commercial air service is in Roswell, with International airports in Albuquerque (ABQ) and El Paso (ELP), each about 150 miles away.

For more information, visit https://www.discoverruidoso.com/info/getting-to-ruidoso.

Discover Ruidoso

Discover all that incredible Ruidoso village has to offer at https://www.discoverruidoso.com/.

A true mix of nature, wildlife, and a vibrant local scene with trails, shops, restaurants, live music venues, wine bars, brewpubs, and attractions open and eager to welcome you.

Check out some of the things Ruidoso has to offer at https://youtu.be/2SKgFbwPcbw.

What to do in the state of New Mexico

Plan your trip to New Mexico

New Mexico Travel Guide

New Mexico Tourism Department

Honor the season, the athletes who define it, and 30 years of off-road adventure. With local food, live music, and lots of memorable moments, the Welcome and Award Ceremonies will offer a chance for athletes, families, and friends to come together to celebrate in true XTERRA fashion.

Thursday, October 8, 2026

17:00-22:00: Welcome Ceremony - Wingfield Park (map)

17:00-19:00: World Championship Welcome Buffet Open - Wingfield Park (map)

18:30-19:30: Welcome Ceremony Program (Open to Community) - Stage at Wingfield Park (map)

19:30-21:30: Phil Hamilton Band (Open to Community) - Stage at Wingfield Park (map)

Saturday, October 10, 2026

19:00-22:00: Awards Ceremony - Full Distance Athletes - Ruidoso Convention Center (map)

22:00: XTERRA After Party - Ruidoso Convention Center (map)

Sunday, October 11, 2026

18:00: Youth Awards and Closing Ceremony - Ruidoso Convention Center (map)

XTERRA Ruidoso – Parking & Shuttle Plan

Wingfield Park Parking

• Opens: 6:00 AM each day
  

• Location: There are two main public parking lots located at the Northeast and Northwest corners of Wingfield Park.
  

• Signage:
  

  • Look for the signs that say  “Public Parking”.
    

  • XTERRA-branded parking signs will be posted at each lot entrance.
    

• This is ideal for spectators and athletes accessing Start/Finish area activities at Wingfield Park.
  

Grindstone Lake – Disc Golf Course Parking Lot

• Open: Thursday – Saturday, beginning at 6:00 AM each day.

• Location: Below Grindstone Lake, in the Disc Golf Course parking lot.
  

• Signage & Flags:
  

  • Large XTERRA parking signs/flags at lot entrance.
    

• Staffing: Managed by the Ruidoso Parking Team for efficient vehicle placement on Saturday only.
  

• Recommended Use:
  

  • Thursday & Friday: Convenient for pre-riding the race course.
    

  • Saturday: Athlete, Spectator, and Overflow Parking for the swim and transition areas.
    

• Access to Lake: The lot is within walking distance—follow the marked trail to Grindstone Lake.
  

Handicap / Accessible Parking

• Available at both Wingfield Park and Grindstone Lake.
  

• Clearly marked with handicap signage and located close to venue access points.
  

Shuttle Service – Saturday Only

• Hours: To be announced soon.

• Cost: Free to all athletes, spectators, and volunteers
  

• Shuttle Pick-Up & Drop-Off Points - Identified by bright yellow XTERRA Shuttle Flags.

  • Wingfield Park: Pick-up on the Northwest corner of the park.

  • Grindstone Lake

  • Grindstone Lake – Disc Golf Course Parking Lot

• Fleet: Two shuttles operating on a continuous loop to minimize wait times.
  

Pro Tips for Parking & Shuttles

• Arrive early to secure your preferred parking location.
  

• Follow all XTERRA parking signage and staff instructions for smooth traffic flow.
  

• If you’re pre-riding or need longer-term parking, Grindstone Lake Disc Golf Lot is your best choice.  NO CAMPING ALLOWED.
  

• Please allow extra time if you’re taking the shuttle—particularly before the race start.

Athletes looking for full information about qualifying for the XTERRA World Championship can visit https://www.xterraplanet.com/race-rules/xterra-world-championship-qualification.

Bike Rentals
If you are in need of a bike rental, the following shops are recommended. Please note that supplies are limited and advance booking is strongly encouraged.

Ruidoso, New Mexico
The Village Bike Shop

Address: 1017 Mechem Dr. Ruidoso, NM. 88345
Email to book: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (816) 405-9061
Website: https://ruidosobikeshop.com/

Albuquerque, New Mexico 183 miles north of Ruidoso
Fat Tire Cycles – Montaño
Address: 421 Montaño Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107
Phone: +1 (505) 345-9005
Booking note: Call to book and mention XTERRA
Website: https://www.fattirecycles.com/demorental

*Fat Tire Cycles also offers a service to ship bikes to and from their store in Albuquerque. Contact the store for more information.

El Paso, Texas 136 miles south of Ruidoso
Crazy Cat Cyclery
Address: 2800 N Stanton, El Paso, TX 79902
Phone: +1 (915) 532-9666
Website: https://www.crazycatcyclery.com/articles/bike-rentals-pg183.htm

EVENT BIKE MECHANIC SCHEDULE

Wednesday: 12:00-17:00 at Wingfield Park

Thursday: 10:00-17:00 at Wingfield Park

Friday: 9:00-17:00 at Wingfield Park

Saturday: 7:00-16:00 at Wingfield Park & 7:00-10:30 at Grindstone Lake

Sunday 7:00-11:30 at Grindstone Lake

EVENT BIKE MECHANIC INFORMATION

Rad Dog Bikes

+1 (915) 630-2682

Contact: [email protected]

Website: https://www.raddogbikes.com

Based out of El, Paso Texas: 10710 Gateway N Blvd. Suite B-6 El Paso, Texas 79924

LOCAL BIKE SHOP INFORMATION

The Village Bike Shop

+1 (575) 973-1043

Contact: [email protected]

Website: https://ruidosobikeshop.com

Address: 1017 Mechem Dr, Ruidoso, NM 88345

The Ruidoso Athletic Club has a 25 yard (22.86 meters) swimming pool that is available to use for lap swimming during race week. Reservations are required, so contact the facility directly for a day or week visitor pass.

https://ruidosoathleticclub.com/

+1 575-257-4900

415 Wingfield St, Ruidoso, NM 88345

Athletes in the full triathlon may request a partial refund of US$110 with written notice to [email protected] on or before August 31, 2026.

No refunds on or after September 1, 2026.

Medical conditions, pregnancy, military assignments, or visa issues may be considered, but are not guaranteed. To request a deferral, email [email protected] with your name, event name, and reason for the request. Include supporting documentation such as a doctor’s note confirming the injury, illness, or pregnancy and recommending you not race, visa denial letter, or official military orders.

Please note that the partial refund available does not apply to athletes who deferred from a previous year, those are nonrefundable.

All the race excitement will kickoff at Grindstone Lake Park with the event celebration finishing at Wingfield Park.

All multi-sport athletes during the XTERRA World Championship weekend will be required to have a USA Triathlon license in order to race. If an athlete does not already have a USAT year-long membership, during the registration flow, athletes will be given the opportunity to purchase a one-event license (Bronze Membership). The Bronze Membership allows athletes to race in a single USA Triathlon Sanctioned Event without an annual membership. Your Bronze membership also provides you with athlete participant accident medical coverage during the event. Bronze Memberships are purchased for a specific race, non-refundable and are not sold directly through USA Triathlon. Planning to race more than one distance at the event? Just grab the Bronze Membership for the longest race - you'll be covered for all the shorter ones too. More information about USAT Memberships can be found at https://www.usatriathlon.org/membership. 

Congratulations on qualifying for the XTERRA World Championship! If you require an official invitation letter to support your visa application, we’ll be happy to provide one. Please send the following details to [email protected]

Full Name (as shown on your passport)
Date of Birth
Role (Athlete / Support Crew / Family Member)
Passport Number
Passport Issuing Country
Date of Issue
Date of Expiration

Once received, our team will prepare your invitation letter promptly. If you have any questions or additional requests, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Information about traveling to the USA can be found at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html. If an athlete's United States visa application is denied, next step options will be evaluated on an individual basis by emailing [email protected].

Check out some of the amazing trails athletes can explore in Ruidoso.

https://youtu.be/vuMhms18734?si=8n7t0IKza6qjkIxH

If you need to make any changes or additions to your existing registration, please visit https://myevents.active.com/XTERRA.

While we can’t say for certain, historic data measured the water temperature at 63-64°F (17-18°C) on the same weekend in 2025.

We will be following the wetsuit rules as outlined by USAT, which can be found at https://www.usatriathlon.org/multisport/rules.

The emergency number to call in the USA is 9-1-1.

Those wanting to stay up-to-date with any weather or emergency situations in the Village of Ruidoso, can find information about downloading their app at https://www.discoverruidoso.com/ruidoso-mobile-travel-app.