World’s Leading Off-Road Triathlon & Trail Running Races Return to Utah for 15th Year
Press Release – OGDEN, UTAH – It’s long been said that XTERRA is more than just a race, it’s a lifestyle. Perhaps nowhere is that more evident than in Ogden, Utah where the Mayor, Mike Caldwell, was the founder and race director for the first XTERRA event in Ogden back in 2004.
Mayor Caldwell and a collection of the most welcoming locals to be found anywhere rallied the entire community to bring off-road triathlon to their hometown 15 years ago and are themselves everyday XTERRA people. They swim, bike, and run in the mountains, have fun, eat well, laugh, and unpretentiously perpetuate the sports’ motto to “Live More.”
“XTERRA is a unique event for our community that has grown and progressed into a world class event,” said Caldwell. “It is a huge part of our community’s DNA. These athletes and race organizers have become part of our family providing an opportunity for us to form lasting friendships with people from all over the world. Not only do I enjoy the homecoming feel the event brings, it also has great economic impact for Ogden. Our hotels sell out and our restaurants fill up. It is the perfect fit for Ogden, and I look forward to this weekend every year.”
Athletes also look forward to this event every year, and more than 800 of the very best amateur and professional triathletes and trail runners are traveling to the State of Sport to battle for the title of XTERRA Champion.
“We love bringing the XTERRA Tribe together in Utah, the energy level is just incredible,” said Janet Clark, president of XTERRA. “Ogden and Snowbasin are simply the best – between the facilities at Snowbasin, the great restaurants and atmosphere along Historic 25th Street in Ogden, and the unbelievably supportive community – we can’t ask for a better venue.”
The main event, the XTERRA Pan America / USA Championship triathlon is the culmination of a series of off-road triathlons spanning South and Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada, and the U.S.
It starts with a one-mile swim in Pineview Reservoir (4,900-feet elevation), follows with an 18-mile mountain bike leg that climbs more than 3,000-feet to the top of Sardine Peak (7,300-feet elevation), and culminates with a 7-mile trail run featuring another 600-feet of climbing on trails around Snowbasin Resort in the Wasatch Range. There is also a half-distance sprint off-road triathlon and relay-team options.
The fastest racers in each five-year age group will be honored as the XTERRA Pan American Champion, and the fastest American in each of those divisions will be celebrated as XTERRA’s U.S. National Champion.
Elites will be competing for $80,000 in prize money, and cameramen will position themselves around Wheeler Canyon and the Wasatch Range to capture all the action for a nationally syndicated one-hour TV show that exposes the beauty of northern Utah to the masses.
The triathlons are Saturday, September 15 and on Sunday, the 16th, it’s the trail runners turn on the mountain.
The XTERRA Trail Run National Championship half-marathon features scenic views, technical trails, and big climbs. The half-marathon, plus the 5K and 10K trail runs are open to everyone, and it’s important to note that you don’t have to be fast to join in the fun. For some, it’s just about finishing and that’s okay as XTERRA is all about perpetuating the healthy, active, outdoors lifestyle.
In addition to the weekend races XTERRA will host an expo in downtown Ogden on Friday with free run and bike races for kids, a full-on Kids Zone, Suunto demos, triathlon clinics, and the Paul Mitchell hair cut-a-thon for charity.
There is great entertainment to be found at Snowbasin Resort highlighted by the spontaneous, ecstatic, and sometimes tear-jerking displays of emotion at the finish line for the races.
This year, experience it for yourself. Have a look at the schedule for places and times, and whether you race or not – join in the fun and excitement of XTERRA. For more info and links to registration visit www.xterrautah.com, or call toll-free to 877-751-8880. Live More!
PRO RACE
The elite’s racing at the XTERRA Pan America Championship are among the best off-road triathletes in the world. The men’s race features the last three XTERRA World Champions with Bradley Weiss from South Africa (2017 Champ), Mauricio Mendez from Mexico (2016 Champ), and American great Josiah Middaugh from Eagle-Vail, Colorado (the 2015 Champ).
The women’s race is highlighted by two-time XTERRA World Champion Lesley Paterson from Scotland, XTERRA Pan Am Tour leader Fabiola Corona from Mexico, and America stand-outs like Julie Baker and Kara LaPoint.
Follow the elite race live on twitter @xterraoffroad starting at 9am on Sept. 15.
The 2018 XTERRA Pan Am Championship triathlon and XTERRA Trail Run National Championship are presented by the Utah Sports Commission and Paul Mitchell. Partners include Gatorade Endurance, Suunto, GOAL Foundation, OOFOS, Maui Visitors Bureau, Hawaii Tourism Authority, and the U.S. Forest Service.
About XTERRA
XTERRA is a sports lifestyle brand that produces authentic race experiences and apparel for the outdoor enthusiast. In 2018, XTERRA will offer more than 300 off-road triathlon and trail running events in 30+ countries. XTERRA also offers premium, performance apparel and accessories for the trail and beyond. Learn more at xterraplanet.com.
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XTERRA Pan America Championship and
XTERRA Trail Run Nationals Event Schedule
Sept 14-16, 2018 // Ogden/Snowbasin, Utah
Friday, September 14
Opening Festivities in downtown Ogden @ Ogden’s Amphitheater Park (corner 25th/Grant)
10-6pm Expo and XTERRA Kids Zone Challenge Stations Open
10-6pm Registration and Packet Pick-up (All events – XTERRA Utah/XTERRA Pan Am Championship/
XTERRA Trail Run Nationals, 10K and 5K)
12-5pm Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon, benefit for the Challenged Athlete Foundation
3:00pm XTERRA Tri and Trail Run Regional Champion Introduction
4pm XTERRA Kids Bike Race (free)
5-6pm XTERRA University, presented by Paul Mitchell – Art of XTERRA
with Lesley Paterson and Josiah Middaugh
6:00pm XTERRA Race Briefing (mandatory for Pan American Championship triathletes)
Saturday, September 15 – XTERRA TRIATHLON at Snowbasin Resort
6:30am Late packet pickup at Snowbasin (no registration)
6:30am T2 open for Set-up at Snowbasin
6:30am Shuttle operating from Snowbasin to Port Ramp Marina, Pineview Reservoir
6:30am T1 open for set-up at Port Ramp Marina, Pineview Reservoir
6:30am Body marking, timing chip and swim cap distribution at Port Ramp Marina, Pineview Reservoir
8:20am Last shuttle from Snowbasin to Port Ramp Marina
9:00am XTERRA Pan American Championship Start at Port Ramp Marina (1.5k swim, 29k mtb, 10k run)
9:45am XTERRA Utah Start – Sprint Course at Port Ramp Marina (750m swim, 19k mtb, 5k trail run)
10am-3pm Registration and packet pickup for XTERRA Trail Runs – Nationals, 10K and 5K
10am-2pm Expo area open at Snowbasin – exhibits, food service
10:30am-2:30pm Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon – benefit for the Challenged Athletes Foundation
10:30am XTERRA University, presented by Paul Mitchell – The Art of Trail Running –
with Tina Wiessauer and Brett Hales
11:20/11:50am XTERRA Pan American Championship Male/Female Winner Expected
11:30am XTERRA Utah Sprint winner expected at Snowbasin
11:30am Athlete Post-Race meal served in Earl’s Lodge
2:20pm XTERRA Cut-off at T2
1:30pm XTERRA Utah Awards Ceremony
2pm XTERRA Pan American Championship/XTERRA USA Champs Award Ceremony
6:30pm XTERRA Dinner and After Party @ Hub801 (3525 Riverdale Road, Ogden). Complimentary entry to XTERRA Pan Am Championship athletes. XTERRA Utah athletes, friends, family welcome (tickets online, at registration and at the door, if available)
7:30pm XTERRA Pan American Tour introduction of Champions and race highlight video
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Sunday, Sept. 16 – XTERRA TRAIL RUNNING
at Snowbasin Resort
7:00-8:00am Late Registration
7:00-8:30am Late packet pick up
8:00am XTERRA Expo open
9:00am XTERRA Trail Running Nationals Half Marathon Start
9:05am XTERRA 5km and 10km Trail Run starts
9:00am-2:00pm Paul Mitchell Cut-a-Thon, a benefit for the Challenged Athletes Foundation
9:20am/9:40am 5km/10km winners expected
10:06/10:19am Men’s and Women’s National Championship male/female winners expected
11:00am XTERRA Kids Sprint (free)
11:00am XTERRA 5km and 10km awards ceremony
11:45am XTERRA National Championship race awards ceremony
12-5:30pm “Blues, Brews and BBQ” on the patio at Earl’s Lodge, free concert – 12:30pm Timmy the Teeth and 3pm Folk Hogan
2:00pm XTERRA Expo closes
After Party in downtown Ogden
6:00pm XTERRA After Party @ TBD. No host dinner and drinks.
7:00pm Video Highlights
For more info and links to registration visit www.xterrautah.com, or call toll-free to 877-751-8880. Live More!
Update:
A note from the Race Organizers regarding the algae bloom in Pineview Reservoir:
NO SWIMMING IN PINEVIEW RESERVOIR UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
The Weber-Morgan Health Department issued a public safety warning for Pineview Reservoir August 31, 2018, after environmental health staff confirmed the presence of a harmful algal bloom.
Read the full media release here.
On Saturday, September 1, the same algal bloom was NOT seen by health officials. Regardless, for your own safety, do not swim in the Reservoir until further notice.
The Reservoir will be tested by Environmental Health officials at the Port Ramp Marina area where the XTERRA swim is on Tuesday, September 4, and results should be available by Friday, September 7.
XTERRA is in direct communication with Health Department officials and the U.S. Forest Service and will provide updates as they become available.
While we are optimistic that we will be able to swim, we do have a plan B in place, and will communicate details of it on September 7.
