Elite Racing Information

On June 11, 2020 XTERRA announced the 25th edition of the XTERRA World Championship in Maui scheduled for November 8, 2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19.

“The health and safety of our athletes, volunteers, crew, partners and host communities is and always will be our top priority,” said XTERRA President Janet Clark. “We realize the many emotional and economic factors this decision creates for so many good people in our extended XTERRA community, but ultimately we felt the risks involved with encouraging travel and hosting large gatherings was not acceptable.”

Other XTERRA events attracting big fields from across the U.S. and internationally that were simultaneously cancelled include the off-road triathlons scheduled for XTERRA Beaver Creek on July 18 in Avon, Colorado, XTERRA Oak Mountain on August 28 in Pelham, Alabama, and the XTERRA USA Championship in Utah on September 19. In addition, the XTERRA North American, Asia-Pacific, and European Tour point scoring systems for elites was also cancelled.

Over the past several months the XTERRA operations team scrutinized all available data and guidelines, put safe race plans in place, consulted with medical experts and permitting agencies, and carefully considered all options to host these events this year.

“We are confident our crew has the skill and ability to create contactless procedures and reformat the race experience to meet the highest standards of safety,” said Clark. “We also trust in the quality of character among XTERRA athletes to do the right thing before, during, and after a race. Even with that, however, the coronavirus has proven to be so unpredictable and contagious, we’re simply not comfortable putting the health and safety of our people and the well-being of the high-risk people in the local communities where we race in jeopardy.”

It’s important to note that several XTERRA World Tour destinations plan on hosting events on their original or postponed dates based on the unique public health guidelines in their communities.

“We will continue to assist our organizers and evaluate each event individually using safe-race guidelines and by following the direction provided by the Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and local municipalities as it relates to the coronavirus,” said Clark.

A full list of events and their current status is available at xterraplanet.com/xterra-and-covid-19.

XTERRA World Tour events that proceed will qualify athletes to race at the 2021 XTERRA World Championships. The XTERRA World Championship off-road triathlon is scheduled for October 31, 2021.

Clark added that, “Racing is in our DNA and XTERRA in-person events will return. In the meantime, our community will connect and support each other, and our crew will adapt and innovate – all while taking care of their families – to position the sport and lifestyle for a successful return in 2021.”

With many events being cancelled, XTERRA has taken its on-site activations online with the introduction of the XTERRA Connect digital platform. The initiative provides daily social media content including LIVE workouts and Q&A with XTERRA athletes and coaches, health and wellness insights, an XTERRA Yoga Series, training tips, its own XTERRA Podcast, and an emerging youth series. Virtual race offerings and interactive XTERRA University programs are in development.

QUALIFYING FOR 2021 XTERRA WORLDS – MUST RACE ONE RULE

To compete at the 2021 XTERRA World Championship scheduled for October 31, 2021 elite athletes are required to race at least one XTERRA event, then request an entry by emailing pro [at] xterraplanet.com.

There are three notable exceptions to the rule, which are granted to athletes actively racing for a spot on their nation’s Olympic team or competing at the Olympics in 2021; 2) sponsor exemptions, and 3) extenuating circumstances due to injury.

Athletes actively racing for a spot on their nation’s Olympic team will be exempt from the “must race one” rule in 2021 with the understanding they will be confined to a strict schedule.
Sponsors exemptions are allowed. The decision as to who receives the sponsor exemptions is made by the managing director in conjunction with each sponsor.
The managing director can use their best judgment on a case-by-case basis in determining severity of injuries that kept an athlete from competing in a qualified race.

Athletes interested in receiving a sponsor exemption or wish to explain non-compliance due to injury should email XTERRA at pro [at] xterraplanet.com.

ELIGIBILITY

Any racer wanting to enter as an elite/professional must furnish proof that they have been accepted as a professional by a recognized multisport governing body. Examples of this are:

USA Triathlon
USA Cycling (road, cyclocross, track or mountain bike)
Any national governing body for triathlon
Any national governing body for cycling

The athlete must present a current card marked clearly and legibly. Without proof of being licensed as a professional, athletes may not compete in the elite category. If your country does not issue elite cards, request a letter from the president of your federation granting permission for you to represent your country as a professional in international competition. Write pro [at] xterraplanet.com with questions.

USA TRIATHLON REQUIREMENTS

Athletes wishing to race as an elite off-road triathlete in any USAT sanctioned event must hold an elite license. XTERRA Oak Mountain, XTERRA Beaver Creek, the XTERRA USA Championship, and the XTERRA World Championship are all USAT sanctioned events. Foreign athletes may apply to USA Triathlon for a Foreign Elite License. Every person who races must have a valid USA Triathlon membership or purchase a one-day membership before being allowed to compete. Learn more about USAT Elite Membership.