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XTERRA National Championship returns to Tahoe |
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Written by Submitted to the World
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Monday, 24 September 2007 |
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Off-road triathlon and other events take place Sept. 28-30 in Incline Village.
Since April, thousands of amateur athletes have taken part in the challenge of the XTERRA America Tour. Through the trials of these 50 races, spanning 32 states from coast-to-coast and reaching as far as Alaska and Hawaii, a determined few have qualified to race for the ultimate prize.
On Sept. 30 in Incline Village, the best-of-the-best XTERRA racers from age 15-to-70 will challenge each other, and Mother Nature, for the prestigious national championship crown.
 The race, now in its seventh year in Incline Village, will be filmed and edited into a one-hour special that will be seen by millions of viewers across the country via national syndication starting in November.
It all starts at the beach fronting the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe where competitors swim two laps of a 750-meter course in the spring-fed, crystal clear waters located 6,200 feet above sea level.
The second element is a legendary 32-kilometer, single loop mountain bike course. The first off-road section greeting riders is a 1,600-foot climb up Tunnel Creek Road to Tahoe’s famed Flume Trail. The “Flume” is a 4.4-mile section of single track known for its exposed crossing of sheer rock faces & incredible sweeping vistas.
At the aspen-clad Marlette Lake, a second leg-burning climb on Hobart Road takes racers to the Tahoe Rim Trail. Halfway into the 6.6-mile section is the Marlette Lake Overlook at 8,700 feet above sea level (the highest point on the XTERRA course). From the top, a 2,500-foot descent to the second transition area resembles “Toad’s Wild Ride” as it passes through a series of switchbacks.
 The last leg of the race is a 10-kilometer forest trail run consisting of two 5-kilometer laps through some of nature’s most arduous obstacles. While the run course remains relatively flat, there are numerous short, steep climbs and quick descents. Balancing along narrow log and rock crossings, and skipping over boulders are just a few of the final tests of skill and endurance. The run course also passes through the crowd at the compound, who will hoot, holler, monitor, and react to all the action.
Note: The XTERRA Nevada course on Sat., Sept. 29 is identical to the main event except the swim and run segments are half-the-distance. XTERRA Nevada is open to all. The USA Championship is invite-only.
XTERRA PRO RACING
The professionals competing in Nevada are among the best mountain bikers and triathletes on the planet – drawing not only from the U.S., but also overseas. This is the last of five events in the XTERRA U.S. Championship Series for pros, and to the winner goes the spoils! A total of $110,000 is up for grabs, 40k for the race purse and 70k to the top point scorers in the Series. Of the more than 50 international elites toeing the start line, here are the favorites:
PRO MEN FAVORITES
Conrad Stoltz – 33, of Stellenbosch, South Africa. The “Caveman” won this race and the Pro Series title four times in the last six years (excluding 2004 & 2006) and is poised to do it again having won the first three regional races of the year.
Mike Vine – 34, Victoria, BC, Canada. The “Vineman” was the runner-up here a year ago and is currently third in U.S. Series with 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place finishes. He’s a great climber and fearless downhiller, both key traits for this course.
 Seth Wealing – 28, of Boulder, Colorado. Wealing won this race and the XTERRA U.S. Pro Series last year and just won the XTERRA Mountain Championship at altitude in Utah. He’ll be hard to beat.
Peter Reid – 37, of Squamish, BC, Canada. The three-time Ironman World Champion is retired from road racing, but has found new life with XTERRA. As a six-time winner of the Hawaiian Airlines Double Award (given to the racer with the fastest combined times at the Ironman & XTERRA World Championships) Reid is no stranger to XTERRA, and this time he’ll be racing with fresh legs.
PRO WOMEN FAVORITES
Jamie Whitmore - 31, of Somerset, California. “J-Dawg” won four straight races here from 2002-to-2005 and was also top’s in the Pro Series during that stretch until Melanie McQuaid took home race and Series honors last year. Just a short drive from her hometown and on a course perfectly matched for her abilities, she’d like nothing more than to recapture the crown. With three straight regional championship wins she’s on top of this year’s Series and THE lady to beat.
Melanie McQuaid – 33, of Victoria, BC, Canada. McQuaid won all the big races last year – USA, Worlds, and the U.S. Pro Series. In all four years Whitmore was first at this race, McQuaid was second…but now that she’s had a taste of the top spot it will not be easy to give it up. McQuaid is the only three-time pro XTERRA World Champion in event history – man or woman.
MORE THAN JUST A RACE
Not just for XTERRA racers, the events and activities at the XTERRA sports festival offer an adventure for everyone. Located at the Village Green in Incline Village, visitors to the XTERRA festival will find big white tents filled with everything from the latest in XTERRA Gear to ice cold Pacifico beer. It’s headquarters for all the outdoor action, and a great place to spend some time after running in the 5k or finishing up a big plate of BBQ. There’s music playing, prize giveaways, kids games, and all the buzz one could imagine from a rockin’ outdoor EXPO. On Sunday you can even get a professional haircut from Paul Mitchell stylists in exchange for a donation to the Challenged Athletes Foundation. In addition to the big race, there is a weekend-long outdoor lifestyle celebration that includes:
XTERRA TRAIL RUNNING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
The XTERRA trail running national championship is a twisting, turning, 10k up-and-down adventure - the last of 30 qualifying races across the U.S. The XTERRA Trail Running Series was grouped in nine regions; Northern and Southern California, Utah, Tennessee, the Midwest, Northeast, St. Louis, Chicago and Georgia. When each series concluded, Regional Champions were crowned and invited to compete for the title of U.S. Champion, along with other leading runners from each region.
FUN FOR KIDS
It’s good to be a kid at the XTERRA Village. At the XTERRA Kids Zone there are running and bike races just for the youngsters plus obstacle courses and agility drills. Every kid wins prizes and awards. It’s all free, and all fun, plus Saturday, September 29 is the official Worldwide Day of Play (WWDoP), where kids across America are urged to gather in parks and playgrounds to engage in healthy, fun outdoor activities.
XTERRA NEVADA OFF-ROAD TRIATHLON
While only a select few will qualify for the championship race on Sunday, one-and-all are eligible to compete in the XTERRA Nevada open competition on Saturday, Sept. 29. The race is comprised of three disciplines: a 750-meter swim, 32-kilometer mountain bike, and 5k trail run. While the swim and bike segments are half-the-distance of the championship course, the mountain bike leg is identical to that of the main event.
In this race college kids will be competing for school pride and bragging rights in the brand new collegiate division. Other individuals will create a two or three person relay - where one person does the swim, another the bike, and the other the run - and enter the relay team competition. This is a great way to have fun with family and friends even if all three disciplines aren’t your thing. If you need help completing a team drop us a note at HYPERLINK “mailto:
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”
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and we’ll help hook you up.
Note: The XTERRA Nevada course on Sat., Sept. 29 is identical to the main event except the swim and run segments are half-the-distance. XTERRA Nevada is open to all. The USA Championship is invite-only.
XTERRA NEVADA 5K/10K TRAIL RUNS
These races are open for the community to enjoy and benefit the AYSO of Incline Village. Definitely not your average Saturday morning run – they’re dirty, dusty, crooked, muddy and gutsy. Moreover, fun, with creek crossings and twisty turny paths through the woods. Venture out on a scenic trek through the high-country and exercise your way to the start of a great day. The short distance is great for families while the serious runner will revel in the challenges of the 10k.
XTERRA UNIVERSITY
Get to know the Pros! Under the Paul Mitchell tent in a relaxed and casual environment the best professional athletes in the sport - the ones who will race for the championship on Sunday - give free advice. Topics of discussion include swimming, mountain biking, and trail running, and they’ll even get specific about how to best handle the Flume Trail. At the session titled “the Art of XTERRA”, the focus broadens to include guidelines on nutrition, goal setting, and strategy, as well as the psychological tricks of the trade.
GU CRUISE FOR A CAUSE MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE
The GU Cruise for a cause is a 13-mile charity mountain bike ride to benefit the Tahoe Rim Trail Association. It’s for riders with moderate ability, will take around an hour-and-a-half, and includes roughly 2,800-feet of descending. It starts at a beautiful section of the Tahoe Rim Trail 8,700’ above sea level at the Sheep Flats (aka Tahoe Meadows) on the Mt. Rose Highway above Incline Village. The first part of the trail parallels the highway and then descends through the meadows and briefly joins the Ophir Creek trail. After a 300’ climb out of the meadows you begin to contour your way to Tunnel Creek road with many great vistas of Lake Tahoe as well as Washoe Lake in Nevada along the way. There are many small climbs and descents along the route and this section is moderately technical due to the many solo rock steps (Lofting your front wheel over the steps is a very useful skill to have in your quiver). At about mile nine you reach Tunnel Creek Road where we’ll turn right and head down this fun and speedy sandy fire road for 2.4 miles to Ponderosa Ranch Road (then to Lakeshore Blvd. another mile back to Village Green).
THE BREEDER’S CHOICE XTERRA K9 CHALLENGE DEMO
The Central Garden & Pet Company’s ultra premium dog food and treat brand, Breeder’s Choice, will be the lead sponsor of a brand new competitive race series featuring teams comprised of dogs and their owners at all the XTERRA America Tour championship race venues in 2008 – and will give the competition a test run here in Tahoe. The competition will consist of a time trial format with teams competing against the clock in a combined trail run and obstacle course format.
COMMUNITY GIVEBACKS
In an effort to show its appreciation to the local community, XTERRA raises money and gets local non-profit organizations involved in the events. The trail runs benefit the AYSO of Incline Village and the charity bike ride benefits the Tahoe Rim Trail Association. The XTERRA Eco Team is organizing an ecological restoration work party, and the Incline Village wresting team and High School JROTC are given a donation in exchange for volunteer work.
To register for events or learn more, visit xterraplanet.com or call (877) 751-8880.
XTERRA CALENDAR
Friday, September 28
1-6pm XTERRA Nevada/XTERRA USA Championship/XTERRA Trail Run Registration and Packet Pick-up
3-4pm XTERRA University, presented by Paul Mitchell - Swim Clinic hosted by Andy Noble and Josiah Middaugh
4-5pm XTERRA University, presented by Paul Mitchell - Art of XTERRA hosted by Conrad Stoltz, Melanie McQuaid, Candy Angle, and Seth Wealing
5-6pm XTERRA University, presented by Paul Mitchell - Mountain Bike Clinic hosted by Jamie Whitmore and Mike Vine
3pm Gu Cruise for Cause benefit for the Tahoe Rim Trail
Saturday, September 29
6:30-8:30am XTERRA Nevada Registration and Packet Pick-up
6:30am Body Marking and Transition Open
8:30-9:30am XTERRA Trail Run Registration and Packet Pick-up
8:45am Mandatory XTERRA Nevada Competitor Briefing at Hyatt Beach Swim Start
9am XTERRA Nevada Start (750m swim, 32k mtb, 5k trail run) at Hyatt Beach
9am Expo Open - Exhibits, Food Booths, Pacifico Beer Garden, XTERRA Kids Zone
9:30am-3pm XTERRA USA Championship Registration and Packet Pick-up
10am XTERRA National Championship of Trail Running and 5K/10K Trail Run Start (last finisher 11:25am)
a benefit for Incline Village AYSO
10:05am Kids Sprint Start
10:20/42am Trail Run (5K/10K) Winners Expected
11:20am XTERRA Nevada Male Winner Expected
11:30am XTERRA National Trail Running Championship and 5K/10K Trail Run Awards Ceremony
12:00pm XTERRA Nevada Female Winner Expected
12:30pm XTERRA Nevada Competitors BBQ (included in registration)
1:00pm XTERRA Nevada Cut-off at T2
1pm Breeder's Choice XTERRA K9 Challenge
1:30pm XTERRA Nevada Awards Ceremony
3pm Expo Close
6:00pm USA Championship Race Briefing at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe
6:30pm "Night of Champions" Dinner - Introduction of XTERRA National Trail Run Champions, XTERRA Regional Champions & Mr/Ms XTERRA 2007, Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe (admission complimentary to USA Championship competitors. Tickets for sale at the door @ $55 to other event competitors, families and friends).
Sunday, September 30
6:30am Registration Packet Pick-up
6:30am Body Marking and Transition Open
8:45am Mandatory Competitor Briefing at Hyatt Beach Swim Start
9am XTERRA USA Championship Start (1.5K swim, 32k mtb, 10k trail run)
9am Expo Open - Exhibits, Food Booths, Pacifico Beer Garden, XTERRA Kids Zone
10am-2pm Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon, benefit for the Challenged Athletes Foundation
10am Shimano Youth Series - free bike races for kids
11:35am XTERRA USA Championship Male Winner Expected
12:00pm XTERRA USA Championship Female Winner Expected
1:30pm XTERRA USA Championship Cut-off at T2
1:30pm XTERRA USA Championship Competitor BBQ - Aspen Grove
2pm XTERRA USA Championship Awards Ceremony - Aspen Grove
3pm Expo Close
8pm Pacifico Post Race Party! Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe - Cutthroats Bar
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Last Updated ( Monday, 24 September 2007 )
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