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XTERRA New Zealand on April 18

The XTERRA Festival in Rotorua annually hosts more than 2,000 athletes in what is considered the world's largest single day XTERRA off-road triathlon gathering. Competitors can choose from walking, running, mountain biking as well as the individual and team XTERRA triathlon events.

The weekend's format is encourages participants to roll into town on Friday, complete in their chosen event on Saturday morning or afternoon, then take a shower or spa and head into town for the prize-giving and a beverage or two. Sunday is left for checking out a bit more of Rotorua before the journey back home.

For XTERRA triathlon individual entrants, there is more on the line with top place-getters in each age-group qualifying for the XTERRA World Championship.

Last year, spectators were treated to a showdown between world champion triathlete, Terrenzo Bozzone and world champion adventure racer, Richard Ussher (pictured here at XTERRA Worlds in Maui). It was Ussher who took line honors that time round and is hoping to be back to defend his title this year, as he explains.

"I had such a great time in Rotorua last year, the people, the atmosphere, the course – it was all great.  All things going well I will be back to defend the title for sure," said Ussher.