XTERRA America Tour Update - June 15-21, 2019

The sold-out XTERRA Lory off-road triathlon marked the first race of the season in the XTERRA Mountain Region on Saturday, June 15. Held in the historic community of Bellvue, Colorado, Lory featured a half-mile swim in Horsetooth Reservoir, a rolling, 12.2 mile, two-loop, single track mountain bike ride, and a fun and challenging 8K trail run. 

Scott McCalmon was the overall champ with a time of 1:43:28, with Peter Santini just seven seconds back in 1:43:35. Santini was out of the water first, but about a minute slower on the bike. Herbert Groenendaal – with the fastest run split of the day – was third in 1:45:06.

Kiki Silver was the women’s champ with a time of 1:54:23 and the fastest swim, bike, and run splits for the women. Meg Smith was second in 1:57:43, and Amelia Van Dyke was third in 2:04:32. 

A beginner-friendly course, XTERRA Lory is a favorite because of the clear water swim in the reservoir with canyon walls that rise high above. Located in the foothills of the Rockies at about 5000 feet, the ride and run are equally beautiful. 

Photos by Kenny Withrow / Facebook.com/WithoutLimitsProductions

This Sunday, June 23, the XTERRA America Tour heads to another historic town for XTERRA Tsali in the Great Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina. The race includes a half-mile swim, a 10-mile mountain bike ride through the Nantahala Forest, and a five-mile trail run. 

After the race, competitors can discover Bryson City, home to unique shops that take you back to the 1800’s.  For a great family weekend, racers can stick around and raft or kayak on the Nantahala River, fish on Fontana Lake, or take a ride on the newly restored steam engine #1702 over the Tuckasegee River Route. 

Last year, Paul McCall and Margo Pitts won XTERRA Tsali, so stay tuned to see what happens this year. Pitts has been recovering from a mountain bike crash last fall, and McCall hasn’t raced yet this season. 

The following weekend on June 29 XTERRA heads out west again for XTERRA Tahoe City in Tahoe City, California. The race mixes a 1500-meter swim in Lake Tahoe with a 22-mile mountain bike ride and 5-mile trail run through fields of wildflowers with incredible views of the Sierra Mountains. The event weekend also features a sprint triathlon, duathlon, and an aqua bike race. 

Last year, Mike Sooter and Sian Turner Crespo took home the titles. Neither has raced XTERRA yet this year, but Turner Crespo has been training like crazy all winter. 

Find results, schedules, standings, and more at xterraplanet.com.

Bryson City photo courtesy GreatSmokies.