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2010 XTERRA America Tour Preview

The 2010 XTERRA America Tour is comprised of 65 races in 35 states.  Among these events are 60 XTERRA Point Series races (XPS) and five XTERRA Championship Series (XCS) races - also known as the XTERRA U.S. Pro Series.  Note that amateurs are also welcome at XCS events, and can earn more points at these races because, generally, participation is higher and the courses are tougher.

April 25 – XTERRA West Championship
(Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort – Henderson, NV)

May 23 – XTERRA South Central Championship
(Cameron Park - Waco, TX)

June 13 – XTERRA Southeast Championship
(Oak Mountain State Park – Pelham, AL)

June 20 – XTERRA East Championship
(Brown’s Island – Richmond, VA)

July 17 – XTERRA Mountain Championship
(Beaver Creek Resort – Avon, CO)

September 25 – XTERRA USA Championship
(Snowbasin Resort – Ogden, UT)

For Pros: The top 15 pros at each championship event are awarded points based on overall pro finish.  Pros count their best four-of-five scores plus the points they get (or don’t get) at the XTERRA USA Championship in Utah. Thus, the final point total combines the best four scores in the first five races, plus the USA Championship race points.  He/she with the most points in the end is declared the U.S. Pro Series Champ. The U.S. Series will dish out $132,500 in prize money: $10,500 at each regional championship race, $20,000 at the USA Championship, and $60,000 to the top overall points scorers in the Series. Note:  The XTERRA World Championship Oct. 24 at the Makena Beach & Golf Resort in Maui is a stand-alone event worth $100,000.

For Amateurs:  The XTERRA America Tour is designed to provide age group athletes (amateurs) with a bona-fide championship to compete for within their geographic region. At the end of the regular season the top performers in each of eight regions are invited to compete against other athletes their same age - but from different regions - at the national championship in Utah on September 25. 

Here's how the Series works:

1) CHOOSE REGION: There are 8 regions, determined by a competitor's primary residence at the time of their first race.

2) DETERMINE YOUR DIVISION/AGE GROUP: "XTERRA Age" is based on a competitor's age on December 31, 2010.  Athletes compete in the following age categories: 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60+ (w), 60-64 (m), 65-69 (m), 70+ (m), and we also have Collegiate and Physically Challenged Divisions.

3) RACE AND SCORE: Series competitors race for points at their choice of 65 events - including XTERRA Points Series (XPS) races & XTERRA Cup Series (XCS) races.  Competitors can enter as many events as they'd like but just their best four finishes count towards their total points score.  Competitors are required to race in at least one event in their region, and must COUNT two events in their region.  Note: You don’t have to race in two, but you have to count two in your region.  Bottom line, to play the game (to qualify for nationals and win a regional championship) you have to race in at least one event in your region, and everything more than that is gravy and increases your chances of winning.

4) COUNT ‘EM UP:  Points are awarded to the top 15 finishers in each age group at each race. Athletes can earn more points at championship series races because, generally, participation is higher and the courses are tougher.  If an athlete races at more than one championship event, only the best finish counts at full points. Any other finishes earn points at the same rate as the XTERRA Points Series races.  See the points allocation at www.xterraplanet.com.

5) BECOMING A REGIONAL CHAMP: At the end of the regular season in late August, the athlete with the most points - by gender, by division, by region - earns the title of XTERRA Regional Champion.  In addition, the highest points scorers in each region are invited to compete for a national title at the XTERRA USA Championship in Utah.

Note: All XTERRA America Tour events are sanctioned by USA Triathlon, the national governing body of multisport in the United States. As such all athletes are subject to the rules and regulations set forth by the USAT.  Details available at www.usatriathlon.org.

The XTERRA Points Series races are a collection of independently produced off-road triathlons owned and operated by local promoters, while the championship series events are bigger races with pro purses on full-length courses operated by TEAM Unlimited / XTERRA.