Xterra and Cross Triathlon

Triathlon is one of the worlds’ fastest growing sports. It has been in the Olympics since 2000 and with success of the Brownlee brothers, Helen Jenkins and Chrissie Wellington to name a few, is now enrained in the minds of audiences worldwide. It has extensive media coverage and is now regularly seen on the television. It consists of a swim followed by a cycle and finally a run. Distances range from Sprint 400m swim, 20k bike and 5k run, through Olympic distance, 1500m swim, 40km bike and 10 km run, up to the legendary Ironman 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run and even beyond this!

terra triathlons are all off road, the swim is in a lake or in the sea, followed by a gruelling mountain bike ride over 40km and a tricky off-road 10km run. Global Xterra races are televised and most are part of either the European or US tour. There is a European Championship and the World Championships are in Maui in October. In addition to Xterra there is now an ETU and ITU European and World Cross Triathlon Championships too.

While it is true that some of the world’s best triathletes, mountain bikers, runners, and adventure racers compete in Xterra, the sport is focussed on much more than just elite racing. Beyond the competition, Xterra is about community, camaraderie, adventure, and promoting the healthy, active, outdoors lifestyle among people of all ages. The Xterra mantra is ‘Live More’.