Xterra National Championships 2013

Right in our backyard, there is a lot of fun stuff to do.

The Xterra National Championships have been at Snowbasin Resort above Ogden for the past 5 or 6 years. Athletes who race in the national championships race are there by invitation only. I was lucky enough to get an invite. Others who want to race the event can sign up for a long course or a short course at the same venue but are not considered for an invite to the World Championships in Maui, HI. Altogether, including pros, there were about 350 athletes who got invites and raced in the national championship event. My age group represented 20 of these triathletes from all over the USA. Another 450 athletes raced in the long and short courses.

Just like all other triathlons, this race included swimming, biking, and running. The difference is that the biking and running were all off-road. After a mile swim, the bike course was roughly 18 miles from Pineview reservoir to Snowbasin Resort to Sardine Peak and finally back to Snowbasin Resort. The run was a 10 km trail run loop to the south of the resort. Another difference between a regular triathlon and an Xterra triathlon is that you have to stay focused on the bike and the run. There is no “zoning out” during these disciplines. You must remain totally alert about your environment and the trail. About a 1 mile from the finish line on the run, I snagged a toe on a rock and crashed into more rocks. Fortunately my injuries were minor.

I finished 13th in my age group. Although it wasn’t fast enough to get an invite to the World Championships, I really enjoyed the opportunity to race at a nationals level. I recommend trying one of Xterra races -- they are a lot of fun and the people who race them are great. For example, the two other athletes highlighted in the video are some talented Tri/Xterra friends from Boise, who have both had very successful racing seasons.

Thanks Lana for putting together the Xterra Video. You’re the Best!

Written by Tony Perkins, Video by Lana Grover