We are excited to welcome you to the 2025 XTERRA North American Championship at the beautiful Oak Mountain State Park in Shelby County Alabama where the famed trails of Oak Mountain will surely leave a lasting impression.
As we embark on the second year of the North American Championship, we are excited to crown the first ever Youth Champions and celebrate all the athletes in Festival weekend as you pursue your goals.
Working alongside Stellar Events, Finish line Events, and BUMP, these fantastic partners are dedicated to delivering exceptional immersive events, we are thrilled to create a world-class experience for both local and international athletes and community members alike. Together, we aim to celebrate the true spirit of XTERRA by combining spirited competition with camaraderie and connection.
To every athlete joining us, we warmly welcome you to this unforgettable event. Whether you’re here to chase championship titles, challenge yourself on the trails, or simply enjoy the community atmosphere, we are excited to have you with us. May you push your limits, soak in the natural beauty, and leave with memories that will last a lifetime.
Onwards and Upwards!
Steve Andrus
Americas Tour Manager
Oak Mountain State Park is home to some of the best trails on earth, trails so good they’ve been recognized as America’s best by Runner’s World Magazine and many others. Credit goes to the hard working crews from Shelby County, Oak Mountain State Park, and BUMP, the local trails advocacy group, who have spent more than 100,000 hours on the design and construction of new trails over the past 20+ years and to this day are building, preserving, maintaining, and riding the sweet single track in the park.
To celebrate their efforts, we’ve invited the whole world to discover the trails for themselves at the XTERRA North American Championship and first American stop of the 2025 XTERRA World Cup, featuring four fun-filled days of festivities from May 15-18.
It all starts Thursday night with the 2025 North American Championship Welcome Party. Kicking off at 6pm, join the XTERRA community at Taco Mac / Cahaba Cycles in Pelham, Alabama to connect with old friends and new. There will be a DJ, free food, drinks available for purchase, and some special messaging to jumpstart the weekend festivities.
On Friday, the day starts with a morning coffee meet-up and casual group ride, packet pick-up, and athlete briefings. Great for kids, the Oak Mountain State Park Interpretive Center and the Oak Mountain State Park Wildlife Center will take the stage to showcase native animal species! Friday night, the XTERRA Super Sprint and the XTERRA Kids Triathlon events kick off the weekend races. The Youth A division of the XTERRA Youth World Tour will be awarded at 7pm to wrap up the evening!
Saturday ushers in the first of three main events, the XTERRA North American Championship full distance off-road triathlon, which doubles as XTERRA World Cup stop No. 4 with series points and $25,000 in prize money up for grabs to the best off-roaders from across the globe. For amateurs, there are 58 slots into the XTERRA World Championship in Italy, and a chance to score big points towards winning an XTERRA Americas regional title. The challenge combines a 1.5K swim in Double Oak Lake with an epic 33K mountain bike and sweet singletrack 10K trail run.
There are also shorter distance races. A Sprint race featuring a 750-meter swim, 14K mountain bike and 4.5K trail run; and a Super Sprint featuring a 400-meter swim, 8K mountain bike, and 2K trail run. Athletes can even create a two or three-person relay team to tackle the Sprint or Full distance races together. Youth B & Junior participants competing in the individual Sprint distance and Youth A participants in the Super Sprint will also have the chance to qualify for the brand new XTERRA Youth World Championship in Italy taking place alongside the full distance event.
Once the racing is over, stick around for the Good People Brewing Post-Race Concert featuring The StepDads! There will be a wide variety of food and drink options, and yard games the whole family can enjoy. Ending the day’s events, athletes and the community alike can head over to Taco Mac / Cahaba Cycles for the XTERRA After Party and a viewing of the day’s highlight video on the big screen at 7:30PM.
Then on Sunday morning, it’s showtime, as the XTERRA Short Track off-road triathlon pits World Cup stars from around the globe against each other in a live-streamed, action-packed race against the clock for prize money and precious points in the series standings. All are encouraged and welcome to cheer on your favorite athletes in the Short Track event.
We’re thrilled to have you with us at this historic event, and grateful for your support! Read on for all the details you need to know to prepare yourself for the 2025 XTERRA North American Championship.
BRING YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS! We look forward to seeing everyone at Oak Mountain.
We extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors for making the XTERRA North American Championship event possible.
How to Get There
Park Address: 200 Terrace Drive, Pelham, AL 35124 // 205-620-2520
Race headquarters is on Terrace Drive, just past Park Headquarters. Look for big tents and follow the XTERRA signage.
Oak Mountain State Park is located 15 miles south of Birmingham off Exit 246 on Interstate 65. Coming from the North: On I-65, take Cahaba Valley Road (AL-119) exit (246). Turn right to go South on AL-119 and immediately turn left on to State Park Road. Go approximately 1.5 miles and turn left at the 4-way stop sign into the park. Once you get through the ranger station parking booth go straight and turn right on Terrace Drive. Continue on Terrace Drive until you see Double Oak Lake, then look for XTERRA parking signs. Coming from the South: On I-65, take Cahaba Valley Road (AL-119) exit (246). Turn left to go South on AL-119 and immediately turn left on to State Park Road. Go approximately 1.5 miles and turn left at the 4-way stop sign into the park. Once you get through the ranger station parking booth go straight and turn right on Terrace Drive. Continue on Terrace Drive until you see Double Oak Lake, then look for XTERRA parking signs.
Park Fees
Registered participants will receive a digital participant pass for free park entry valid on Friday, May 16th and Saturday, May 17th. Please have the digital pass saved to your phone and be prepared to promptly show the gate attendant the pass. Please do not share with non-registered attendees.
Additional guests will be required to pay the park entrance fee.
DAY USE FEES AT OAK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
● $5 per Adult (age 12+)
● $2 per Child (age 4 to 11)
,● $2 per Senior (age 62+)
● Free for ages 3 & under
● All Active Military, Retired Military, and Veterans are Free
Please bring exact change to speed-along entry on race day, and keep in mind that proceeds are providing financial support for Oak Mountain State Park and are much appreciated. Thank you!
Expo Village
The XTERRA Expo Village is a great place to hang out and watch the races, play games, listen to music, check out the exhibitors, grab a beer, and have fun with the coolest crowd in endurance sports. And, the park's day-use picnic facilities include large pavilions and tables with grills, fishing lakes, a recreational lake with pedal boat and canoe rentals, a sandy beach swimming area, an 18-hole golf course, and even rental horseback riding facilities!
Good People Brewing Beer Tent
Refreshments provided by Good People Brewing will be available Friday and Saturday, served by the Birmingham Ultra Trail Society. Donations are warmly accepted.
Pursuant to US law, individuals must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Valid government issued identification is required for verification of age.
There will be a free water station available Friday through Sunday in the Good People Brewing Tent for spectators and participants. Recyclable cups will be provided, but we ask you to bring a reusable water bottle to reduce waste.
Good People IPA is a flagship beer of Good People Brewing Company, located in Birmingham, Alabama.
Award-winning whiskey for the adventurer in all of us.
Striking Mountain bikes 1993.
As one of Alabama's fastest growing counties, Shelby County is a brilliant patchwork of history, culture, business, attractions, arts, and community - making it one of the nation's most dynamic counties.
The mission of BUMP is to BUILD, MAINTAIN, PRESERVE, and RIDE mountain bike trails in the Birmingham and surrounding areas.
Expert pain relief, chiropractic care, and injury rehabilitation tailored for you in Birmingham. Dr. Beau Beard and The Farm will be offering complimentary soft tissue therapy, stretching, and minor injury care to all athletes for the entire weekend. Make sure to stop by their booth in the XTERRA Expo.
Bike Tech Schedule: Friday 2-8pm, Saturday 6am-9am, Sunday 8am-10:30am
Not-for-profit organization created to promote the sport of triathlon in Birmingham, AL.
The Alabama Wildlife Center is dedicated to the protection, preservation, and conservation of Alabama’s native avian species through rehabilitation and education initiatives.
Training and racing gear designed specifically for the athlete who wants high-quality gear but doesn't want to break the bank getting it.
We offer comprehensive dermatology services, including medical dermatology, skin cancer surgery and cosmetic services. Surgical Dermatology Group will be providing free skin checks and sunscreen.
Oak Mountain State Park’s mission is to preserve natural areas; to develop, furnish, operate and maintain recreational facilities, and to extend the public’s knowledge of the state’s natural environment.
As certified run coaches, our priority is to help you safely navigate the intersection of your running goals with the demands of the rest of your life.
We specialize in family-friendly running and hiking events, triathlons, and festivals.
Birmingham Ultra Trail Society (BUTS)
BUTS is a club for trail running enthusiasts.
“Upcycled Athlete” is an art installation created by Homewood Middle School students using donated triathlon gear.
Bringing baked goods, loaded liege waffles, ice cream, exceptional coffee to Helena, Hoover and beyond.
Authentic Mexican cuisine serving Birmingham and the surrounding areas. Friday only.
From humble beginnings as a home-based pizza venture to a thriving restaurant and food truck business, we're serving up delicious pizzas. Saturday only.
Easygoing Alabama-style pulled pork & other in-house smoked meats.
Specialty tea and lemonade refreshments, served in refillable mason jars, along with a classic assortment of concession snacks. Be sure to check out their limited time southern grit-tea!
Registration
Participants can pick up their packet at the XTERRA Expo Registration Pavilion at Oak Mountain State Park starting Friday from 2-8pm, then on Saturday from 6am-7:30am.
Online registration will be open throughout the week, so we recommend that you register before arriving at the park to speed through the pickup process.
Triathlon Packet Pickup Notes
USAT Membership fees for 2025:
● Adult Silver Membership: $64
● Adult Silver 3-Year Membership: $165
● Adult Gold Membership: $99
● Adult One-Day Membership: $14-28 (depending on distance)
● Youth (ages 17 and under) Membership: $10-30
More information about USAT membership can be found at here.
Triathletes may only pick up their own packets, and all relay team members must be present to receive the full race packet.
All athletes are required to show a photo ID. NO ID, NO RACE, NO EXCEPTIONS. Every single participant, including relay participants, must have a photo ID. Youth athletes without an ID must be accompanied by a parent/guardian with a photo ID. Annual members are required to show their membership card every time they compete in a USA Triathlon-sanctioned event. If athletes do not show their valid USAT number and expiration date at packet pickup, they will not be allowed to pick up their race number.
If an athlete does not bring a photo ID to packet pickup there are two options:
a. Go home to get it
b. Have someone text/email/fax them a copy of their photo ID
Any athlete that has not signed the USA Triathlon waiver prior to packet pickup will be required to do so in order to obtain their race number.
Race Packet
Registration fee includes a t-shirt, finisher medal, and post-race refreshments.
Triathlon participant race packets will include:
● Bike Plate - Please attach this to your handlebars using the twist ties provided.
● Runner Bib - Please attach in a clear, visible place on the front of your body using safety pins provided or a race belt. Do not alter your bibs in any way.
● Race Number Tattoos
Timing chips and swim caps will be picked up from registration on race morning.
Taking your place on the starting line at the 2025 XTERRA North American Championship in Oak Mountain, USA? Let the world know with a custom-made story image designed to share on your socials.
All XTERRA North American Championship shareables are free for XTERRA athletes, however we kindly ask the following:
Here is a list of things to bring with you on race day:
Age groupers please go to body marking in the XTERRA Registration Pavilion on race morning to stamp your age division on the back of your calf. Elites and relays do not need age division marking.
Note: RACE NUMBER TATTOOS are REQUIRED FOR ALL TRIATHLETES
Mark yourself the night before the race.
1. TEAR - Tear your number in half down the center.
2. STICK - Remove the protective top sheet. Place on the FRONT of BOTH ARMS. Do not place on
the side of your arms. Place the ink side to CLEAN and DRY skin, right side up.
3. Hold a very wet, folded paper towel over the paper backer of the tattoo for 30 seconds. Make sure it gets wet all the way through.
4. PEEL - Peel the paper backer off skin, leaving tattoo on your skin.
5. SUNSCREEN - Apply the morning of the race.
TO REMOVE: Soak the tattoos in baby oil, rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover for 30 seconds, then wipe away. If you make a mistake during application, within 3 minutes you can lift off the tattoo using a few pieces of transparent tape. If you forget to put on your tattoos, visit the body marking station at the XTERRA Registration Pavilion on race morning.
We will distribute timing chips and swim caps on race morning at the XTERRA Registration Pavilion. Please strap ankle timing chips to your left ankle before the race. Remember to hand your timing chip back after you finish to ensure you receive an official time. Any chips not returned will incur a replacement fee.
SWIM CAP COLORS:
Race officials Chris Appleton, and Kirk Ermels will run through the ins and outs of the XTERRA Full and Sprint courses at 5:15pm on Friday afternoon on the XTERRA Stage. We encourage all athletes to attend this important meeting. There will also be a quick race briefing on event morning ten minutes before the start of each race distance held at the swim start.
The elite athlete race briefing will take place at 4:15pm on Friday afternoon in the finish line recovery area under the XTERRA branded dome. This is mandatory for all elite athletes racing in the XTERRA World Cup events.
Last minute packet pickup will be available from 6-7:30am in the XTERRA Registration Pavilion. There are no new registrations, substitutions, or transfers on race day.
Transition will be open for set-up starting at 6:30am and will close at 8:00am.
Guardian Lockers is committed to delivering top-notch security features that go beyond traditional locker systems. The lockers are designed with the latest technology, surveillance monitoring, and tamper-proof mechanisms to safeguard your valuables effectively.
Guardian Lockers will be available Friday and Saturday with first come first serve rental availability. Look for Guardian Lockers signage at the event entrance near the venue parking lot. Cash and credit cards are accepted at a rate of $20 for day-use.
The Super Sprint race will be a mass start.
18:00 Super Sprint race - yellow swim cap
The Sprint race will be a mass start.
08:00 Sprint race– orange swim cap
There will be three wave starts for the championship race:
08:30 Elite men – white swim cap
08:31 Elite women – pink swim cap
08:34 Age-group men 49-Under (TBD, Based on # of Athletes) – red swim cap
08:35 Age group men 50+, all women, physically challenged & relay teams – green swim cap
Transition is open on Saturday morning starting at 6:30am. The transition area will feature separate racks for elites. Please be mindful of others and ensure you allow six bikes per rack. ONLY athletes are allowed inside transition. Supporters need to wait outside. Please leave valuables at home or with your supporters. Do not leave them in transition. For security of your equipment, you will need to show your race numbers when accessing the transition area. Bikes must be collected from transition by 3:00pm.
XTERRA North American Championship will be held rain or shine and will only be postponed in extreme circumstances. If weather conditions may potentially cause any amendments to the format and distance of the event or the postponement or cancellation of the event, race organizers will communicate in the days prior to the event via email, and on the website to race participants. If a decision is to be made on the day of the event, announcements will be made at the Race Village. Please note the event will be staged unless extreme weather conditions occur on the day of or leading up to the event. i.e. not just a bit of rain.
Final water temperature reading and determination of wetsuit use will take place about an hour before the race start. XTERRA follows the Swimming Conduct rules for Wetsuit and Speedsuit Use established by USA Triathlon.
Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wetsuit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78°F (25.5°C). When the water temperature is greater than 78°F (25.5°C), but less than 84°F (28.9°C), age group participants may wear a wetsuit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit. The wetsuit policy for elite athletes shall be determined by the USAT Athletes Advisory Council.
The AAC has set the wetsuit maximum temperature for elite athletes at 68°F (20°C) for swim distances less than 3000 meters and 71.6°F (22°C) degrees for distances of 3000 meters or greater. Any swimmer wearing a wetsuit with a thickness measured in any part greater than 5 millimeters shall be disqualified.
2025 USAT Swimwear Information
Due to swimwear products entering and leaving the market over time, it is no longer feasible to have a predetermined “Approved” list. The information provided here is meant to help the athlete determine if the swimwear in question would be legal for use at USA Triathlon sanctioned events.
USA Triathlon Swimwear Rule
4.9a For the purpose of these rules, wetsuits are swimwear made of material providing thermal insulation. Wetsuits cannot exceed 5 millimeters thickness anywhere. If the wetsuit is made in two pieces, the combined thickness in the overlapping areas may not exceed the 5mm thickness limit. Any swimmer wearing a wetsuit with a thickness measured in any part greater than 5mm shall be disqualified. When wetsuits are permitted, wetsuit tops and/or shorts (constructed of rubberized, buoyant material such as polyurethane or neoprene) are allowed but may not be worn in addition to a wetsuit.
There are basically three categories of triathlon apparel: Wetsuits, Swim skins, and Tri suits/kits (including standard Cycling apparel).
Wetsuits: Are made with a non-permeable material. Usually, neoprene. This material provides buoyancy and is only legal in wetsuit legal swims or wetsuit optional waves. Wetsuit legal water temperatures are variable depending on the hosting party. They are allowed a maximum thickness of 5mm.
Swim skins/skin suits: Are made of permeable synthetic textiles designed to smooth the swimmers in-water profile and reduce drag. They contain no neoprene and do not provide buoyancy. They are legal for use in either wetsuit or non-wetsuit legal swims. (Unless the swim is wetsuit mandatory in which case, they cannot be worn in place of a wetsuit.)
Tri suits/kits: Are made of permeable textiles (whether synthetic or natural materials). They contain no neoprene and do not provide buoyancy. They are legal for use in either wetsuit or non-wetsuit legal swims (unless the swim is wetsuit mandatory in which case, they cannot be worn in place of a wetsuit.) and may be worn underneath a wetsuit in wetsuit legal swims.
If you have a question not covered here regarding a specific swimskin/skinsuit please reach out to rulesandofficials@usatriathlon.org.
For a complete overview of the race courses, see the video below
The race starts in Double Oak Lake, a long narrow warm water lake, with two 750-meter laps separated by a short beach shuffle in-between. Sprint racers swim a 750-meter lap.
The long, single-loop mountain bike course starts at about 500 feet elevation, twists, turns, and rolls through the forest. The flow starts on seven bridges trail, and just as the name suggests, there are seven bridges to cross and if it's wet, it’s slippery, so riders have to cross it clean and straight or risk the front wheel slipping out.
After the bridges the first early passing opportunity opens up on camp road, about two miles in. This is the best chance to make a move and improve your position, because with so much single track ahead being in the front is always a good thing.
For the next few miles the course goes from Garret’s Gulch to the Chimney’s to Cat Dog Snake until you get to the North TrailHead and the start of the Red Road climb, a gradual, rocky, 700-foot ascent to the summit (1206 ft) and another prime opportunity to pass before it gets technical.
There is about 1,650 feet of climbing all told, just enough to get your heart rate jacked for some high-gear rhythm sections that will have you pedaling right through the downhill sections.
The descent is a fast, wild ride highlighted by the notorious “Blood Rock” section – a series of tricky to maneuver, uneven and jagged rocks. After descending through Blood Rock, take a right turn onto Centipede Trail for 0.8 mile making the connection to the very fun and flowing Jekyll ‘n Hyde trail, left on Peavine Falls road to Johnsons Mountain down toi Foreplay which connects to Mr. Toads Trail where the top men and women will be flyin!
The 10K championship run course goes around Double Oak Lake on hard-packed, tight, and twisty trails with scenic views at every turn before connecting with the rocky Rattlesnake Ridge trail and the flowy Family Trail.
The race starts in Double Oak Lake, a long narrow warm water lake, with a single 750-meter lap.
The single-loop mountain bike course starts at about 500 feet elevation, twists, turns, and rolls through the forest. The flow starts on Seven Bridges Trail, and just as the name suggests, there are seven bridges to cross and if it's wet, it’s slippery, so riders have to cross it clean and straight or risk the front wheel slipping out.
Just before the last bridge, riders will take a right turn onto Slingshot Trail and enter two new trails to our XTERRA offering this year. Following a flowing ascent halfway up Slingshot, riders take a right onto the brand new Room Service Trail, which starts out with a steep climb and then rolls across the park to join up with the very fun and flowing Jekyll ‘n Hyde trail. At the bottom of Jeckyl, there is a left turn for a very short, mellow pavement ride on Peavine Falls road to Foreplay which connects to Mr. Toads Trail where the top men and women will be flyin!
The run course goes around the lake to the finish line. There’s not a ton of climbing, just about 400 feet, but there’s lots of roots and rocks ready to grab weary ankles.
The race starts in Double Oak Lake with two 200-meter laps.
The single-loop mountain bike course will travel clockwise around Double Oak Lake. The course follows the XTERRA Short Track course on the way to Mr. Toads and Family Trail. The course then connects to Lake Trail before returning to transition along the shoulder of Terrace Drive. The course is mellow and flowy without any large climbs. The trails have some small rocks and roots but were specifically chosen for novice riders.
The run course mostly follows the XTERRA Short Track course with a little bit of Mr. Toads mixed in. The course will finish along the shores of Double Oak Lake back into the finish line at the XTERRA festival village.
The self-serve aid station for the Full Bike course is at Mile 15.
The self-serve aid station for the Sprint Bike course is at Mile 7.
Water and HEED sports drink will be available at both.
There are three aid stations on the Sprint Course – one by the dam (about mile 1.5) and one at mile 2.5, and championship runners will hit each of those plus one more at roughly mile 5. Water and HEED sports drink will be available at each station in cups. There are no hand-offs, so grab cups off the table yourself.
The course will be clearly marked using a mixture of signs and arrows as well as bright tape tied to trees to reassure you that you are going the right way. The blue arrows are for the bike courses only. The red arrows are for all run courses. Please watch for course marshals to point you in the right direction.
All races will fall under the USA Triathlon Rules for Multi-sport Competition.
No swim fins, hand paddles or any swimming aids are allowed. Listen for race announcements on race morning for updated wetsuit ruling. Athletes must wear swim caps provided at body marking. If you decide not to continue during or after the swim you MUST IMMEDIATELY REPORT to the transition manager that you did not finish.
There will be a separate, non-competitive wave for any athletes who wish to wear non-allowed equipment (snorkel, wetsuit if outside of temperature range, buoy, etc.). You must talk to the race director at the Friday Athlete Briefing in order to have equipment approved and be assigned to this wave.
You may not mount your bicycle before the exit of the transition area and you must dismount your bike before entering into transition. Riding your bicycle in transition will result in a time penalty.
ATHLETES OR REPRESENTATIVES MUST RETURN TIMING CHIP AND SHOW THE RACE NUMBER AT TRANSITION TO PICK UP BIKES AND GEAR AFTER THE RACE.
All competitors must start the run by 1:00 pm. Course marshals will enforce 1:00 pm cut-off times. Limited outside assistance is allowed from another athlete competing in the same event or a race official. No outside assistance is allowed from any person not competing in the event. These include but are not limited to spectators, friends, family, volunteers, photographers, or police. Assistance is limited to tools, tubes or any item that would be used to repair a faulty part or damaged bicycle or water, food, or first aid. Exchanging bikes is not allowed. The only permitted bicycles are mountain bikes. Bicycles must have 26”, 27.5" or 29” wheels and straight handlebars. Cyclo-cross bikes and bicycles with drop handlebars are prohibited. Bar extensions or grips off the handlebars may not exceed 5”. Drafting is allowed. Competitors must display the front number plate at all times. No advertising stickers, writing, or alterations of the number plate are allowed. Approved helmets must be worn at all times while on the bike.
Competitors must display their run number on the FRONT of their body. No advertising stickers, writing or alterations of the number are allowed. Number holders are permitted. Competitors may not use inline skates or other devices, human or otherwise powered, to assist them in running. HEADPHONES ARE NOT ALLOWED.
Showers are available for triathlete use near the Oak Mountain State Park beach public restroom and changing area facility.
Race results can be found at these links following the event:
Full Distance, Sprint Distance, and Super Sprint Distance Race Results
Once the results have been verified and processed, official results will be posted to results.xterraplanet.com.
Photos from the 2025 XTERRA North American Championship by Enduro Photo
All finish line photos are free to download!
Be sure to check out the photos from the Swim, Bike, and Run courses, available for purchase downloads, and prints with discounts on your entire gallery of images. All photos will be searchable by bib number:
2025 XTERRA North American Championship Photo Album
Each registered athlete will receive an email after the event with a unique link to their personalized gallery of race photos.
Email contact@endurophoto.com with any questions.
Join us all-weekend long at the XTERRA Festival at Oak Mountain State Park. The XTERRA Festival is expanding its footprint to the swim start location, so be sure to check out the new Waterfront Festival! This area features family-fun activities like native species presentations, XTERRATalk, the Homewood Middle School “Upcycled Art” project, food vendors, yard games, and more!
Over in the main XTERRA Festival, we’ll have a mix of DJ entertainment, local vendors, food trucks, and Good People Brewing. The XTERRA Festival is open and free to the public, so bring your friends and family with you!
Festival Hours:
Friday 14:00-20:00 / 2:00-8:00PM
Saturday 8:00-16:30 / 8:00AM-4:30PM
Sunday 8:00-12:00 / 8:00AM-12:00PM
Stick around for the Good People Brewing Post-Race Concert featuring The Stepdads, a local string band that blurs the lines between bluegrass, heirloom country, and upbeat blues music. This is a free concert open to the community of Shelby County, so bring your friends and family along for the fun!
Oak Mountain State Park - XTERRA main Stage
Saturday, May 17th 2:30pm-4:30pm
The Homewood Middle School art teacher, Eric Swope will have a 15-20 minute opportunity to take the stage at Oak Mountain State Park to share in-depth details and stories about the “Upcycled Athlete” art project that the art program at Homewood Middle School has been creating with donated triathlon gear the past two months.
Oak Mountain State Park - Waterfront Festival Stage
Saturday, May 17th 12:30pm-12:45pm
The “Upcycled Athlete” is a collaborative, community-driven art installation that will debut at the XTERRA North American Championship at Oak Mountain State Park. This large-scale sculpture, crafted from upcycled and repurposed materials, will symbolize endurance, resilience, and sustainability—values central to both XTERRA and its athletes. Thank you to Cahaba Cycle, Trak Shak, and Bob’s Bikes, and to all those who have donated!
Oak Mountain State Park - Waterfront Festival Stage
Friday, May 16th - Sunday, May 18th
The Alabama Wildlife Center will share an educational program highlighting the native bird species that can be found at Oak Mountain State Park. The mission for AWC’s Education Programs is focused on building a connection between the people and the wild birds of Alabama. The Wildlife Center aims to help educate the public on Alabama’s native wild birds and AWC’s role in wildlife conservation.
Oak Mountain State Park - Waterfront Festival Stage
Friday, May 16th 5:00pm-5:30pm
The Oak Mountain Interpretive Center will share an educational program highlighting the native species with “scales & tails” that can be found in Oak Mountain State Park. The Interpretive Center is Oak Mountain State Park's hub for educational programs, Park Naturalist headquarters, and interactive exhibit hall.
Oak Mountain State Park - Waterfront Festival Stage
Friday, May 16th 4:30pm-5:00pm
Saturday, May 17th 10:30pm
The Homewood Middle School Band, based in Homewood, Alabama, is a vibrant program that introduces students to the fundamentals of music and performance. Starting in the 6th grade, students progress through 7th and 8th grades, learning the importance of pride, perfection, and professionalism—core values of the Homewood High School Patriot Band. Remarkably, over a third of the approximately 1,000 students at Homewood Middle School participate in the band program.This strong foundation has contributed to the growth of the Homewood High School Patriot Band, which boasts over 400 members and is recognized as the largest high school band in Alabama. The band offers various ensembles, including: brass/woodwind ensembles, percussion ensembles, jazz bands that helps training in jazz, rock, and popular music. Students interested in jazz band undergo an audition process to join. The Homewood Middle School Band is led by Ryan Murrell and Mackenzie Owens.
Oak Mountain State Park
Saturday & Sunday during the races
We are still looking to fill a few event volunteer positions, so if you or someone you know would be willing to join us for a few fun hours on the course, please have them visit this page to find a job that fits their schedule.
Saturday, May 17:
11:30am Sprint Distance Awards at the XTERRA Stage @ Oak Mountain State Park
12:15pm Top 10 Elite Awards at the XTERRA Stage @ Oak Mountain State Park
1:30pm Full Distance Awards at the XTERRA Stage @ Oak Mountain State Park
The sprint and super sprint distance events are also proud to be part of the new XTERRA Youth Tour and will offer slots to the XTERRA Youth World Championship in Italy. Full information about the XTERRA Youth Tour can be found here.
Youth competing in a race that doesn't match their designated Youth Regional Championship distance will not be eligible for the Youth Regional Champion titles, jerseys or allocated World Championship slots.
If you have any questions, please contact us at youth@xterraplanet.com.
Both the Finisher and Age Group medals were designed and ordered through BeSpoke Medals. This company is Sedex approved, made with eco-friendly materials, and are 95% recyclable with the aim to be 100% recyclable by 2025. The ribbons are made with environmentally friendly non-toxic inks.
We have Pelham Fire and medical personnel at the Race Village / Finish Line and roaming on the course. If you feel unwell at any stage of the race, please alert the closest course marshal who will arrange for our medical staff to meet you. For visiting athletes, the emergency number in the USA is 9-1-1.
For extra safety precautions, we encourage participants to download the First Aid: American Red Cross app on compatible smartphones. This app provides potentially lifesaving information and resources at your fingertips. For more information, please visit this page.
XTERRA's most exciting race format. The top-ranked elite off-road athletes bring their speed and skill to a specially made short-form triathlon course and race it out right in front of the spectators.
Tune into the Short Track Live on Sunday, May 18 to catch every second of the action:
09:00: START - Elite Women
10:00: START - Elite Men
We look forward to seeing you at the XTERRA North American Championship. For more information, visit the event page or email americas@xterraplanet.com.
