Press and Media Center

Maui and XTERRA - A Magical Combo

It’s Thursday morning in Maui and the melting pot of XTERRA is in full swing as racers from all over the world are shuttling through the Makena Beach & Golf Resort to pick up their race packets, and then hopping on their mountain bikes or slipping into their trail runners to hit the practice course.

It’s truly a magical sight seeing so many happy, smiling faces and joyous reunions as competitors bump into friends they’ve made from far off places through the years.

“Nothing demonstrates XTERRA more than seeing athletes from 20+ countries hugging each other like brothers and sisters at the World Champs,” said XTERRA CEO Tom Kiely.

Moreover, the smiles are extending well past the competitors as the influx of out-of-state participants is having a meaningful impact on the locals who live here year-round.  An amazing 90% of this sold-out field of 550 is from out-of-state, and they are living it up – staying at the hotels, eating at the restaurants, and shopping at the Kihei strip.

In a study produced last year by Professor Robert Case of Old Dominion University direct spending by out-of-town participants totaled $1.83 million, and the total economic impact was $4.7 million – a welcome boost in any economic climate.

In addition these racers are bringing in canned goods when they register to donate to the Maui Foodbank, their gathering tomorrow to pick up rubbish along miles of south Maui coastline, Paul Mitchell stylists are cutting hair raising money for the Challenged Athletes Foundation, and runners are raising funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui County by taking part in the XTERRA Makena Beach 5k and 10k trail runs on Saturday.

It’s a grand collection of inspiring people setting brilliant examples on the benefits to leading healthy, active, outdoors lifestyles.  The “Magic Isle” is clearly living up to its name.

Online Resources for more information:

Images: www.xterraphotos.com
Videos: www.xterra.tv
Event website: www.xterramaui.com
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/XTERRATRI
Facebook: XTERRA