OGDEN, Utah (August 30, 2021) — 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 16 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.”
This September 25-26, hundreds of the very best amateur and professional triathletes and trail runners from around the world are traveling to the State of Sport to battle for the title of XTERRA Champion.
The main event, the XTERRA USA Championship off-road triathlon, combines 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 USA Champion. Elites will be competing for $25,000 in prize money, and cameramen will position themselves around Wheeler Canyon and the Wasatch Range to capture all the action for a nationally syndicated TV show.“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 triathlons are Saturday, September 25 and on Sunday, the 26th, 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, 5x5K relay, 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 a free community-based Mountain Bike Night on Thursday, and an expo on Friday with free run and bike races for kids, triathlon clinics, and the Paul Mitchell hair cut-a-thon for charity.
This year, experience XTERRA in Utah 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!
