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The XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship has officially confirmed its return to Dunsborough, Western Australia, from March 26-29, 2026. The weekend will feature off-road triathlon and trail running championship events alongside opportunities for everyone to take part. A variety of races are open to all ages and skill levels, including kids events and the second edition of the Asia-Pacific Youth Championship for athletes aged 14–19 in the Youth A, B, and Junior divisions.

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Landry Benoit, XTERRA’s Asia-Pacific Technical Director, made the announcement, highlighting why Dunsborough continues to stand out as a world-class championship venue:

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“Dunsborough has proven itself as one of the best destinations anywhere for off-road racing,” Benoit said. “The raw beauty of the coastline, the technical challenges on the course, and the way the community rallies around the athletes make it something special. Every year we see more competitors coming here to test themselves, and the atmosphere keeps getting better.”

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He added, “We’re proud to bring the Asia-Pacific Championship back to Western Australia as one of the key major championship stops on both the XTERRA World Tour and the XTERRA Trail Run World Series in 2026, and we look forward to seeing the trails come alive again.”

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XTERRA Lands Down Under

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XTERRA arrived in Australia in the early 2010s, building on the country’s rich culture of endurance sport. The first official XTERRA event on Australian soil was held at Great Ocean Road in Anglesea, Victoria, in April 2013, where Olympian Courtney Atkinson (AUS) and Swiss off-road legend Renata Bucher (CHE) claimed the men’s and women’s titles, adding a new chapter to the nation’s off-road history.

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In 2014, XTERRA introduced its marquee championship event for the Asia-Pacific region and selected Australia as the host. The inaugural XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship took place on April 26 at Callala Beach in Jervis Bay, New South Wales, establishing Australia as a major hub for the XTERRA Community. Over the next two years, Australia continued to host the championship, demonstrating its ability to deliver world-class racing with ocean swims, bushland bike trails, and strong community support.

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Asia-Pacific Championship Soars

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After 2016, the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship began moving around the region, bringing the event to new countries and communities. In 2017, it arrived on the tropical island of Langkawi, Malaysia, followed by Danao in the Philippines in 2018 and then Kenting, Taiwan. Each stop offered something different, from Malaysia’s jungle heat to the coastal trails of Taiwan.

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The championship paused between 2020-2022, then returned in 2023 and 2024 at Stony Brook Nature Farm in Kenting with a refreshed festival format. The weekend would now combine off-road triathlon with the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Trail Run Championship. After eleven years, XTERRA returned to Australia once again in 2025 to host the regional championships and found a new home in Dunsborough where it also opened the first stop of the 2025 XTERRA World Cup.

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Dunsborough Delivers

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With roots going back to 2013, organizers Rapid Ascent launched the Dunsborough X-Adventure in the town’s pristine coastal wilderness. The course combined ocean swims in turquoise Geographe Bay, trail runs along sculpted granite coastline, and mountain bike legs through flower-lined singletrack in Meelup Regional Park.

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In 2023 and 2024, the event was fully in a new era through its partnership with XTERRA as a key destination on XTERRA World Tour. By 2025, more than 1,000 competitors from 29 countries came to Dunsborough for championship aspirations and a family atmosphere that left visitors, challengers, and champions with lasting memories with the overwhelmingly positive support from the local community. 

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Looking ahead to 2026, Rapid Ascent’s General Manager Sam Maffett summed it up: “We are looking forward to welcoming athletes from all over the world to Dunsborough for the 2026 Asia-Pacific Championship. It’s been a thrill to showcase our spectacular off-road course and friendly race community to athletes, and now that Dunsborough is known as a world-class race destination we’re excited to see even more athletes racing down under next year. Bring it on!”

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Scenic and Surreal

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The clear Indian Ocean waters of Geographe Bay, flowing singletrack lined with wildflowers and eucalyptus, and a run over granite boulders and along coastal cliffs with ocean views at every turn define the Dunsborough course. The expo village at the welcoming Dunsborough Country Club and the town’s strong support create a festival atmosphere, with events for everyone.

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Oliver Wright (AUS-WA), the 2025 Asia-Pacific age group champion in his division and the first overall age grouper to finish, spoke about the announcement. “I think Dunsborough is a great choice to host the Asia-Pacific Champs again in 2026. The course is tough, technical, and super fun — proper XTERRA racing. Plus, the setting is just unreal. It’s one of those places that feels made for off-road tri. I feel like everyone who I spoke to who travelled to the race, left feeling like they’d had an amazing time in a pretty special location.”

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Fellow 2025 overall age group champion Arna Craig (NZL) described how the atmosphere and environment stood out. “That race really was a highlight in my time as a triathlete. The community and the closeness fostered by all, for all, really brought some of that emotion. The kids had the most amazing time also. I think bringing APAC back to Dunsborough is fantastic. It’s such a stunning location with a course that delivers a great mix of challenges and excitement. You really feel like you are facing the Australian native landscape head on. Worth the trip from NZ. I am planning to return for 2026 and this time bringing a few fellow off-road athletes from Wānaka who are frothing to give this race a crack. Hope the Aussies are ready for it!”

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Western Australian Welcoming

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At the heart of this championship festival is a deep respect for the natural environment and the community that cares for it. Kelly Patterson from the Meelup Regional Park Committee explained, “Meelup Regional Park is home to a unique ecosystem with species found nowhere else in the world.” It’s a reminder that every step, pedal, and stroke happens in a place worth protecting.

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That respect extends to the people who make the event possible, with strong support from local authorities, Tourism Western Australia, and the City of Busselton. Mayor Phill Cronin of the City of Busselton described what makes the event so fitting for the area: “Dunsborough is the perfect stage for an event like XTERRA and we’re thrilled to have it return in 2026.”

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He continued, “The natural beauty of our region, combined with the warm, welcoming community, makes it an unforgettable destination for athletes and spectators alike. We can’t wait to share this experience with the world and welcome everyone to what promises to be another incredible event while supporting good health and wellbeing within our community.”

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Registrations for the 2026 XTERRA Asia-Pacific Championship will open later this year. Continue to follow XTERRA Asia-Pacific on Instagram for updates, and visit the event page to stay informed. Don’t miss your chance to be part of something special in 2026.