EXPERT ADVICE FOR RUNNERS IN BEND
After months of hype, the XTERRA Nationals are finally here.
The XTERRA Trail Run National Championship is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 18, at Bend, Ore. More than 500 trail runners from around the world are expected to be on the starting line.
A handful of them – like two-time defending champion Max King – are considered experienced and elite runners who will blaze through the 21-kilometer course.
But what about the rest of the field? What about the runners who are competing in Bend for the first time?
For those who are not sure what to expect at Bend on Sept. 18, here are some tips from two of the elite runners in the field: Stephanie Howe of Bend, and Sean Kievning of Southern California. Howe placed eighth among the women at the 2009 XTERRA Nationals, and Kievning placed seventh among the men.
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AN AMERICAN RUNNER IN JAPAN
XTERRA Trail Run aficionado Richard Burgunder recently traveled from New York to Marunuma, Japan, to compete in the XTERRA Japan Xduro 30K race on Aug. 29.
Burgunder is an experienced trail runner – he placed sixth in his age group at last year’s XTERRA Trail Run National Championship in Bend – so if he described the course as the most difficult he’s ever competed in, it must have been a monster.
As proof, his finishing time was 5 hours, 24 minutes, 7 seconds. There were around 200 runners in the race, and half of them needed six hours or more to complete the course.
READ BURGUNDER'S TAKE
2010-11 XTERRA TRAIL RUN SEASON STARTS SEPT. 19
Just one day after the XTERRA Nationals in Bend, the process will start all over.
The 2010-11 XTERRA Trail Run Series season will start on Sept. 19 with the XTERRA Cheaha State Park Trail Run at Alabama. The race is a 10K, and entries are still being accepted at www.dirtyspokes.com.
Alabama is one of 10 regions that will host an XTERRA Trail Run Series during the 2010-11 season. The others are Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Long Island, North Carolina, Ohio, Philadelphia, Southern California and Texas.
The age-group champions from each of those regions will receive a free entry to the 2011 XTERRA Trail Run National Championship.
XTERRA GEAR IN BEND
If you're traveling to Bend this weekend stop by the XTERRA Gear pavilion at the XTERRA Expo in the Old Mill District beginning Saturday at 8AM.
They've got you covered for your race-day and everyday training needs. From tech tees and racing caps to running socks and hoodies.
You can also order online at www.xterragear.com.
CONTACT THE XTERRA TRAIL RUN SERIES
Toll-free: 877-XTERRA-1 (877-983-7721)
emily@xterraplanet.com
www.xterratrailrun.com
Facebook: Become a Fan
Twitter: XTERRAoffroad
