The first-ever Great GU Giveaway is set for next Friday, April 25th. Register for any 2008 XTERRA regional championship off-road triathlon, duathlon or trail run and our good friends and sponsors at GU will mail a free 6-pack of GU Energy Gel straight to your door! The GU giveaway promotion is one-day only – so sign-up on Friday, April 25 for any of the races listed below and get some free GU! RACE RECAPS
XTERRA New Zealand Xduro
From the north island of New Zealand, XTERRA invaded Blue Lake in Rotorua for XTERRA New Zealand on April 12. In its 6th year, this was the world’s largest gathering of XTERRA athletes with over 2,000 trail runners, triathletes and mountain bikers. In the 11k trail run race, Michelle Radley won for the women in 51:07 while Matt O’Neale
came in with his time of 45:45. In the half-marathon distance Xduro, Lesley Turner Hall was victorious for the women with her time of 1:28:39 while Michael Adams crossed the finish line in 1:16:48.
XTERRA Merrimack River Trail Run
Kevin Tilton, 26, of North Conway, NH and Sarah Thompson, 28, from Salem, MA won their divisions at the XTERRA Merrimack River Trail Run 16k in Andover, MA on Saturday, April 12th. With their times of 57:46 and 1:18:11 respectively, Kevin and Sarah came in on top of 183 runners ranging in age from 16-78 from 8 states. Tom Speidel of Nutting Lake, MA continued his 17-consectutive-year streak having competed in “The Rivah” every year since it started. Congratulations Kevin and Sarah.
*Picture: Race Director Dave Dunham makes a run for the finish.
For questions about the XTERRA 2008 Trail Run Series, contact emily@xterraplanet.com or visit www.xterratrailrun.com.
It’s safe to say that neither Jim Roth nor Staci Schilling set out for the 2003 XTERRA Malibu Creek Challenge Trail Run expecting to find the love of their life. But that’s exactly what happened. At the top of “Bulldog”, Jim passed Staci beaming as he looked back at her and said “Isn’t it just a beautiful day?” During the rest of the race, Jim and Staci played tag as they continued to pass each other until finally, with less than 2 miles left, they were side by side and finished the race together. From there the rest is history. Jim gave Staci his phone number on the back of his race bib and they continued their friendship over the next 2 years. Since Staci is from Tustin, CA and Jim is from Thousand Oaks, CA, their relationship grew as they continued to meet each other on the weekends to compete in various races. Being the die-hard XTERRA fans that they are, they have run in the Malibu Creek Challenge every year since 2003 as well as competing in the SoCal Series Boney Mountain, Point Mugu and Topanga Turkey Trot races. Staci had typically stuck to 10k races and the occasional half-marathon when Jim became her catalyst for doing longer runs. Now the couple travels around competing in 5 or 6 marathons a year, but they still love to mix it up with XTERRA trail runs in between. Jim loves Staci’s enthusiasm for life. A SoCal running celebrity in her own right, Staci has become known as “The Jumper” by race directors and photographers. As shown in this picture, Staci tends to be somewhat of a ham in front of the camera and therefore gets her picture taken during many races. Staci says she and Jim always see the glass half full and running in the great outdoors is a constant reminder of keeping the spirit for life alive and never giving up. Jim lives by the motto “Live Life in Big Bites.” After their August 9, 2008 wedding, Staci and Jim are not worried about the trials of marriage. They relate a marriage to running; whenever they come to a hill or rocky trail, they will find a way to overcome their obstacles. Both know their love for running was the reason they formed such a strong bond, and they will continue to run for many years to come. They will be getting married on a mountain with a 360 degree view; they feel it is very fitting to start their new life together with such a spectacular vista after first meeting on one. In case there was still any doubt about how much Jim and Staci love running, after the reception, the newlyweds are going to lace up their running shoes and lead guests on a run into the moonlight. Staci and Jim each had their own love of running, but XTERRA is happy to be part of the running event that started their life together. Congratulations Jim and Staci and good luck in your new adventure!
Just 11 years old, Reaghan Emrick stole the spotlight at the XTERRA Chanoko Trail Run 16k in Folsom, CA on March 29. We talked to Reaghan about her experience and her love of running at such an early age.
XTERRA Gear has redesigned their website making it easier than ever for 
