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XTERRA Returns to SoCal

Off-road triathlon’s biggest event of the year in Southern California is less than a month away as the XTERRA West Championship returns to Vail Lake Resort in Temecula for the third year-in-a-row this May 19-20.

The main event combines a one-mile swim in Vail Lake with a grueling 20-mile mountain bike, and 10k trail run that climbs up ridges and into gulches filled with sand and ankle-biting rocks.

XTERRA is the consummate individual challenge for outdoor adventure athletes – pulling competitors from triathlon, trail running, mountain biking and adventure racing.  Finishers arrive covered in dirt - sometimes bruised and battered and too tired to stand - but with smiles. 

The challenge lures professional athletes from around the world and amateurs from across the nation to Southern California, and the accompanying two-day XTERRA Sports Festival at Vail Lake gives local athletes and outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to join in the fun. 

Aside from the XTERRA Championship and half-distance XTERRA Sport off-road triathlons, there’s a 5k walk and 5k and 10k trail runs (all to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation – Inland Empire Chapter), an XTERRA Duathlon (trail run – mountain bike – trail run), free clinics taught by pro athletes, corporate tents, demos, giveaways, music, and food.

Just for kids there are running and bicycle races, obstacle courses and agility drills.  It’s called the XTERRA Kids Zone, its free to participate in, and all kids 12 and under win prizes and awards.

Competitors, spectators, friends and family are encouraged to camp and relax at Vail Lake for the weekend and take advantage of the 9,000 acres of countryside trails that serve as the ideal setting to run, mountain bike, go fishing, ride horses, or pitch horseshoes.  The XTERRA camping rates can’t be beat – just $25 per night for tent sites hosting up to eight people ($35 for RVs).  For reservations call 951-303-0173.

To register for events call toll-free to 877-751-8880, sign-up online, or sign-up onsite at Vail Lake Saturday morning, May 19 (from 7-8:30am for the Trail Runs; 9-11am for the Duathlon; and 11am-5pm for the XTERRA off-road triathlons).  There is a $5 per car park entry fee.

“This venue is the model for big XTERRA races,” said XTERRA Managing Director Dave Nicholas.  “It’s the perfect spot for a family weekend and with all our competitors camping and hiking and enjoying the atmosphere together – it’s a one-of-a-kind experience.”

More than a thousand athletes are expected for the various events, along with a large following of friends and family.  On the following pages please find a schedule of events and more details on each activity. High-resolution photos from last year, athlete interviews, press credentials, and video are available on request.

TEAM Unlimited, a Hawaii-based television events and marketing company, owns and produces XTERRA.  The sport started in Maui in 1996 with one race and now boasts 100 events in 17 countries worldwide. 

May 19-20, 2007 … XTERRA “Wild” West Championship in Temecula Valley

EVENT DESCRIPTIONS

The location at Vail Lake Resort is a throw back to what it must’ve been like in the old west – complete with sagebrush, cactus, and dried-up riverbeds.  It’s an ideal rugged setting for the nation’s premier off-road multisport gathering.  Here are more details on the weekend activities:

XTERRA VILLAGE

9-to-4 Sat/Sun:  For one weekend only on the shores of Vail Lake the lively world of XTERRA gathers for a celebration of sport, healthy living, and good times.  Come down and jump around to the beat of music, smell of bbq, and sight of great racing action.  Visitors can get a professional haircut from the best Paul Mitchell stylists in Southern California, keep it cool in the Pacifico Beer Garden, style-up with XTERRA Gear apparel, and stay fueled with the latest in GU Energy Gel formulas.  It’s a weekend festival specifically designed to get you out and active.

XTERRA VAIL LAKE TRAIL RUN/WALK 5K/10K

9am Sat:  Experience the positive vibe and physical invigoration of XTERRA by participating in a 5k walk, 5k run or 10k run and support a great cause – the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.  The top three competitors in each age group win awards and the women’s 10k winner earns a roundtrip flight to Hawaii from Hawaiian Airlines.  Participants in the 10k also earn points in the XTERRA SoCal Series and could end up racing for a national title in Nevada on Sept. 29.  For more information on the XTERRA Trail Running Series, along with a complete schedule of events, visit xterraplanet.com/trailrun.

XTERRA DUATHLON

11:30pm Sat:  The XTERRA Duathlon is the equivalent of the XTERRA Sport competition with a run replacing the 750-meter swim.  Competitors start with a 3k off-road trail run, follow with a 15k mountain bike, and finish with a 5k run.  It’s open to athletes of all ages and skill levels; you can even team up with two or three people and make it a team effort. The trails are identical to those being used for the main event and as such, the mountain bike course offers awesome challenges including leg-burning climbs and twisting, technical downhills.

XTERRA KIDS ZONE

9:30am-to-4pm Sat:  For the youngsters 12 years and under, there are running and bicycle races as well as obstacle courses and agility drills. Every kid who participates wins a prize, and these events are super fun and totally free!  The running race is at 10:30 and the bike race is at 11:30.

XTERRA UNIVERSITY

11-3:30pm Sat:  The very best professional athletes in the sport of off-road triathlon offer free advice on swimming, mountain biking, trail running, and even specific details on how to best handle the course in Temecula.  Check the schedule for clinic times.

GU CRUISE FOR A CAUSE

11am Sat: The first in a series of “GU Cruise for a Cause” charity bike rides is set for Saturday at 11am with proceeds to benefit the San Diego Mountain Biking Association.  All riders will receive a free t-shirt and swag from GU and 100% of their $20 entry fee will be donated to the SDMBA.  Bring your bike and have some fun in this non-competitive, all-inclusive ride.

XTERRA SPORT

8:00am Sun:  Swim, Ride and Run the same course as the pro’s, just half the distance (750m swim, 15k mountain bike, 5k trail run).  Relay teams available.

XTERRA WEST CHAMPIONSHIP

10:30am Sun:  Here, in the midst of the serene Southern California countryside, an amazing “wild west” adventure charges forward.  The XTERRA West Championship is the first of four regionals leading up to the XTERRA USA Championship in Nevada, Sept. 30.  For the top 15 pro men and women, a $20,000 prize purse and points towards the overall series title will be awarded.  Amateur athletes compete for the West Champ age group title, one of the 34 qualifying spots into the XTERRA World Championship in Maui, and for points in the XTERRA USA Championship Series.  For more information on how the Series works visit xterraplanet.com.