World’s leading Off-Road Triathlon & Trail Running Races return to Ogden

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 here 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 more than a decade 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 one-thousand of the very best amateur and professional triathletes and trail runners have traveled to the Beehive State 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.

This year, for the first-time ever, what has historically been an invite-only race just for U.S. citizens racing in the America Tour is now an open to one-and-all. So sign-up and see what XTERRA is all about!

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.

Opening up the race to all comers means one can expect some of the fastest off-roaders from Canada, and all over the world for that matter, to converge on Ogden for a shot at the crown and a chance to race on one of the World Tour’s most challenging and scenic courses. Snowbasin is an ideal spot for off-road tri in the summer time and when the fall colors turn the mountain landscape into a kaleidoscope of colors, it’s spectacular.

Pros will be competing for $80,000 in prize money, and dozens of 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. (Note: The award-winning XTERRA Adventures TV series, XTERRA USA and World Championship broadcasts are available as a video subscription for Prime members on Amazon Video via the Amazon Video app for TV, connected devices including Fire TV, mobile devices and online at Amazon.com/XTERRA).

The triathlons are Saturday, September 17 and on Sunday 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 races XTERRA will host an expo in downtown Ogden on Friday with free kids races, vendor booths, the Compex recovery trailer, Outrigger Pavilion featuring prize drawings for free Hawaii stays, Hawaii-themed treats and kukui nut bracelet making, and of course the traditional Paul Mitchell hair cut-a-thon for charity.

There is great entertainment to be found at Snowbasin Resort as well 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 reigning XTERRA World Champion Josiah Middaugh from Eagle-Vail, Colorado, Canada’s best off-roader Karsten Madsen, Great Britain’s Karl Shaw, last year’s XTERRA USA and World Championship race runner-up Braden Currie of New Zealand, and Costa Rican great Rom Akerson.

The women’s race is highlighted by American XTERRA Warrior Suzie Snyder, winner of four Pan Am Tour races this season. She will have plenty of competition from the likes of XTERRA Asia-Pacific Tour Champion Lizzie Orchard of New Zealand, Brazilian star Sabrina Gobbo, French stand-out Myriam Guillot-Boisset, rookie pro sensation Julie Baker of the U.S., and nine of the top 10 ranked women in the XTERRA Pan Am Pro Series.

Follow the elite race live on twitter @xterraoffroad starting at 9am on Sept. 17.

The 2016 XTERRA Pan America Championship weekend is presented by Paul Mitchell, the Utah Sports Commission, and XTERRA TV at Amazon Video. Sponsors include the GOAL Foundation, Snowbasin Resort, Hub 801, Utah Media Group, Outrigger Resorts, Gatorade, PowerBar, XTERRA Travel, U.S. Forest Service, XTERRA Wetsuits, Muscle Milk, XTERRA Fitness, Compex, Optic Nerve Sunglasses, Greenlayer, and XTERRA Boards.

About TEAM Unlimited/XTERRA

TEAM Unlimited is a Hawaii-based television events and marketing company, founded in 1988. It owns and produces XTERRA and in 2015 produced more than 300 XTERRA off-road triathlon and trail running races in 25 countries worldwide. View samples at www.xterra.tv, and learn more at xterrautah.com, xterraplanet.com and xterratrailrun.com.

XTERRA NATIONALS QUICK FACTS
WHO: More than 1,000 athletes from 40 states ages 10-to-80.
WHAT: The XTERRA USA Championship triathlon and XTERRA Utah short and long course tri's are Sept. 19, plus kids races, clinics, and Ogden's annual Harvest Moon Celebration, and the XTERRA Trail Run National Championship half-marathon and 5k, 10k are Sept. 20.
WHEN: Friday-Sunday, September 16-19
WHERE: Ogden on Friday and Snowbasin Resort on Sat/Sun
WHY: Both the XTERRA Tri and Trail Run National Championship races are the culmination of 70+ race nationwide series, that end with a best-of-the-best showdown in Utah.
WEBSITE: www.XTERRAUtah.com / FACEBOOK: Facebook.com/XTERRAPlanet
TWITTER: @xterraoffroad #xterraUTAH
HIGHLIGHT VIDEOS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2CsJ093t-w&feature=youtu.be
XTERRA USA CHAMPIONSHIP TRIATHLON COURSE STATS:
Swim course distance: 1,500-meters (0.93 miles) Combines two 750-meter laps (no run in-between)
Elevation at Port Ramp Marina for swim start: 4,900-feet / Water temperature: Traditionally around 67 degrees
Mountain bike course distance: 28-kilometers (17.7 miles) / Total climbing on bike: 3,400-feet
Elevation at highest point: 7,300-feet (where Sardine Peak Trail meets the ridgeline)
Elevation at T2/Snowbasin Resort Lodge: 6,400-feet
Trail Run course distance: 10.4kilometers (6.47 miles) / Total climbing on run: 616-feet / Total climbing on course: 4,016-feet

XTERRA Pan America Championship and XTERRA Trail Run Nationals Event Schedule
Sept 16-18, 2016 // Ogden/Snowbasin, UT

Friday, September 16
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)
12-5pm Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon, benefit for the Challenged Athlete Foundation
3:00pm XTERRA Regional Champion Introduction
4pm XTERRA Kids Bike Race (free)
5pm XTERRA Kids Sprint (free)
5-6pm XTERRA University, presented by Paul Mitchell – Art of XTERRA
6:00pm XTERRA Race Briefing (mandatory for Pan American Championship triathletes)

Saturday, September 17
XTERRA TRIATHLON at Snowbasin Resort
6:30am Shuttle operating from Snowbasin to Port Ramp Marina, Pineview Reservoir
Late packet pickup at Port Ramp Marina, Pineview Reservoir (no registration)
T1 & body marking open for set-up at Port Ramp Marina/T2 open for Set-up at Snowbasin
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 trail run)
9:45am XTERRA Utah Start – Sprint Course at Port Ramp Marina (750m swim, 19k mtb, 5k trail run)
10am-2pm Expo area open at Snowbasin – exhibits, food service
10am-3pm Registration and packet pickup for XTERRA Trail Runs – Nationals, 10K and 5K
10:30-2:30 Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon - benefit for the Challenged Athletes Foundation
10:40am XTERRA Utah Sprint winner expected at Snowbasin
11:30am Athlete Post-Race meal served in Earl’s Lodge
11:20/11:50am XTERRA Pan American Championship Male/Female Winner Expected
12:00pm XTERRA University, presented by Paul Mitchell – Trail Running
2pm XTERRA Pan American Championship/XTERRA USA Championship/XTERRA Utah Awards Ceremony
2:20pm XTERRA Cut-off at T2
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. Admission $25.
7:30pm XTERRA Pan American/USA Championship introduction of Champions and race highlight video

Sunday, September 18
XTERRA TRAIL RUNNING at Snowbasin Resort
7:00-8:00am Late Registration and packet pickup
9:00am Paul Mitchell XTERRA Trail Running National Championship Half Marathon Start
9:05am Paul Mitchell XTERRA 5km and 10km Trail Run starts
9:00a-2:00pm Paul Mitchell Cut-a-Thon, a benefit for the Challenged Athletes Foundation
9:20am/9:40a 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)
11am/11:45a XTERRA 5km and 10km awards ceremony / XTERRA National Championship race awards ceremony
12-5pm “Blues, Brews and BBQ” at Earl’s Lodge with Folk Hogan (12:30pm) and Jon Wayne & the Pain (4pm)
6:00pm XTERRA After Party at Union Grill in downtown Ogden with Video Highlights

XTERRA PAN AM CHAMPIONSHIP ELITE START LIST

Bib #/Pan Am Pro Series Rank – Name, NAT
1/1 - Josiah Middaugh - 38 - Vail, Colorado
2/2 - Rom Akerson - 32 - Tambor, Costa Rica
3/3 - Karsten Madsen - 24 - Guelph, Ontario, Canada
4/4 - Kieran McPherson - 24, Matamata, New Zealand
5/5 - Branden Rakita - 35 - Colorado Springs, Colorado
6/6 - Chris Ganter - 37 - Boise, Idaho
7/7 - Ian King - 26 - Virginia Beach, Virginia
8/9 - Sam Long - 20 - Boulder, Colorado
9/10 - Thomas Spannring - 40 - Longmont, Colorado
10/12 - Cody Waite - 38, Lakewood, Colorado
11/16 - Karl Shaw - 36, Great Britain
12/21 - Ryan Ignatz - 37, Boulder, Colorado
14/37 - Brad Zoller - 39, Avon, Colorado
15/45 - Dan Molnar - Bismark, North Dakota
16/46 - Brian Smith - 41, Gunnison, Colorado
17/47 - Michael Nunez - 35, Salt Lake City, Utah
18/56 - Eduardo Marcolino - 36 - Sao Paulo, Brazil
19/62 - Patrick McKeon - 27, Philadelphia, Penn.
20/NR - Rodrigo Acevedo - 30 - Bogota, Colombia
21/NR - Felipe Barraza - 24 - Santiago, Chile
22/NR - Barret Fishner - 33, Blodgett, Oregon
23/NR - Matt Lieto - 37, Bend, Oregon
24/NR - Alex Martinek - 24 - Durango, Colorado
25/NR - Alex Modestou - 29, Durham, North Carolina
26/NR - Cameron Paul - 26 - Taupo, New Zealand
27/NR - Jean-Philippe Thibodeau - 25 - Quebec, Canada
28/NR - Walter Schafer - 25 - Centennial, Colorado
29/NR - Braden Currie - 29, Wanaka, New Zealand
30/NR - Alex Roberts - 26, Taupo, New Zealand

Race #/Pan Am Pro Series Rank - Name - Age - Hometown
51/1 - Suzie Snyder - 34 - Reno, Nevada
52/2 - Myriam Guillot-Boisset - 37 - Brindas, France
53/3 - Maia Ignatz - 36 - Boulder, Colorado
54/4 - Kara LaPoint - 29 - Truckee, California
55/5 - Sabrina Gobbo - 39 - Sao Paulo, Brazil
56/7 - Katharine Carter - 29 - North Vancouver, BC, Canada
57/8 - Debby Sullivan - 35 - Stafford, Virginia
58/9 - Caroline Colonna - 52 - Taos, New Mexico
59/10 - Rebecca Blatt - 36, Lakewood, Colorado
60/12 - Sarah Graves - 39 - Ballantine, Montana
6113 - Julie Baker - 40, Sonora, California
62/17 - Liz Gruber - 27, Colorado Springs, Colorado
63/28 - Lisa Leonard - 28 - Las Vegas, Nevada
64/36 - Amanda Felder – 34, Del Mar, California
65/NR - Elizabeth Orchard - 31 - Auckland, New Zealand
66/NR - Annie Bergen - Kelowna, B.C., Canada

NR = Not Ranked in Pan Am Pro Series

www.xterraUTAH.com // info@xterraplanet.com // toll-free 877-751-8880