Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham, Alabama

*Schedule tentative and subject to change

Thursday, May 06

Friday, May 07

Saturday, May 08

Sunday, May 09

Course Maps

Championship: 1.5km swim / 34km mountain bike / 9.5km trail run
Sprint: 750m swim / 17.1km mountain bike / 4.5km trail run
Xticer: 200m swim / 9.4K mountain bike / 1.9K trail run

*Ride the trails any time during park hours.

Course Descriptions

The course at Oak Mountain State Park in Shelby County, located in the southernmost part of the Appalachian Chain, is praised by competitors as being one of the most fun, fast, scenic and difficult on the XTERRA schedule.

The largest park in the Yellowhammer State, Oak Mountain has 52 miles of trails spread among 9,900 lushly forested acres and includes rolling hills, stream crossings and the technical, pine-studded ridges of Double Oak Mountain.

The race starts in Double Oak Lake, a long narrow warm water lake.  Sprint racers swim a 750-meter loop while championship competitors double that with two 750-meter laps separated by a short beach shuffle in-between.

From there the long, single-loop 21-mile mountain bike course starts at about 500 feet elevation, twists, turns, and rolls through the forest for seven miles then begins a gradual 700-foot climb to the summit.

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 section, take a right turn onto Centipede Trail for 0.8 mile making the connection to the very fun and flowing Jekyll ‘n Hyde trail, eventually turning up Terrace Park Rd. to Johnson's Mountain trail which connects to Mr. Toads Trail, then back to Terrace Park road to transition.

The full course bike is 21 miles in length with 1650ft of overall elevation gain.

The sprint bike course starts with a climb up Peavine Road then connects to the full course at the Centipede Trail and follows the super fun downhill single track to the finish.

The 9.5K championship run course (4.5k for Sprint) goes around Double Oak Lake on hard-packed, tight, and twisty trails with scenic views at every turn and passes through the main arena at the midway point so spectators can follow the action and cheer for their favorites.

Runner’s World Magazine called the trails one of America’s “Crown Jewels – 25 best trails in the nation,” and the International Mountain Bicycling Association granted them the prestigious EPIC Rides Hall of Fame designation – given only to those rare trails “guaranteed to blow your mind.”

Credit belongs to the Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers (BUMP) and Shelby County for the continued development of world class trails.  BUMP has spent more than 100,000 hours in design and construction of new trails over the past 20 years in conjunction with the efforts of County Manager Alex Dudchock and Oak Mountain Superintendents.

Xticer Course Description

We start with a 200 meter swim in Double Oak Lake before getting on the bike for a 9.4k ride (about 5.84 miles). You’ll head up Peavine Falls Road for about a mile and connect onto Double Oak trail and Rattlesnake Ridge Trail back to the main compound.  It’s about 1 mile of road and 5 miles of sweet trail.  Put on your running shoes for a short 1.9k (a little over a mile) – mostly road up towards Peavine Falls and then a final section of trail to the finish line.

Notes about XTERRA Oak Mountain 

– Easy to get to from anywhere. Atlanta, one of the biggest airports on earth is just 2.5 hours away. The Birmingham airport with direct connections is only 30 minutes away.

– Shelby County is home to the venue site, Oak Mountain State Park, the State’s largest park with more than 10,000 acres. There is so much more to see in Shelby County. The County boasts 50 public parks, eight museums, three wineries and 10 golf courses. Learn more at www.discovershelby.com.

– There are dozens of good hotels within 15 minutes of the start line.

– There are dozens of restaurants in the area from simple to gourmet. One of the crew favorites is the Margarita Grill on Cahaba Valley Road.

– Birmingham is a historic city with roots back to the US Civil War and was the center of the US civil rights movement of the 1960’s.  Museums and historic places abound.

– This area of the United States is known for its Southern Hospitality and friendly people.

– For motor enthusiasts, the Barber Motorsports park and museum is one of the foremost motorcycle and car museums anywhere.

– The weather will be fantastic!! Temps between 80 to 85F.

– Over 40 miles of trails from single track to jeep road, rolling hills, fast descents, technical yet fast.

– Lake temperature normally 75F/24C.

– XTERRA will also host 5K and 10.3K fun runs as well as competitive 20.6K and 42K trail runs on Sunday for all to enjoy.

USAT Swimming Conduct 

Swimming Conduct

4.1 Permissible Strokes. Swimmers may use any stroke to propel themselves through the water and may tread water or float.

4.2 Bottom Contact and Resting. A participant may stand on the bottom or rest by holding an inanimate object such as a buoy, boat, rope or floating object. Excluding the bottom, a participant shall not use any inanimate object to gain forward progress. A violation of this section shall result in a variable time penalty, unless the Head Referee in his/her sole discretion determines that (i) the violation was substantial and resulted in an unfair time advantage, or (ii) the violation constituted endangerment under Section 3.4(1).

4.3 Emergencies. A swimmer experiencing difficulty and in need of assistance shall raise an arm overhead, and pump it up and down, and call or seek assistance. A swimmer, who has received official assistance, whether voluntary or involuntary, must retire and withdraw from the remainder of the race unless such assistance did not aid the swimmer in making forward progress. No swimmer shall return to the race if the official rendering assistance requests that the participant withdraw from the race or receive medical assistance.

4.4 Wet suits. Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wet suit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit 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 degrees for swim distances less than 3000 meters and 71.6 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.

4.5 Notice of Wet Suit Policy. The wet suit policy for any particular race shall be included on all race literature that is intended for distribution to potential participants. The wet suit policy shall conform to Section 4.4, unless a change is granted in compliance with Section 1.4. The wet suit policy on such literature shall include the following information, if applicable; a. Any changes from Section 4.4; b. Any specific restrictions on equipment; c. Any disparity between the wet suit policy for age group athletes and the policy for elite athletes.

4.6 Measuring Water Temperature. It is recommended, but not required that the water temperature for a race be finally determined by a measurement made within 2 hours of the race start. A water temperature measurement should also be taken prior to any pre-race meetings in order to forecast to the athletes as early as possible the likely water temperature on race day and the likelihood of whether wet suits will be allowed on race day.

4.7 Official Equipment. If provided by race management, a swimmer shall wear the proper official swim cap corresponding to his wave. The penalty for an infraction of this rule is a variable time penalty. For safety reasons if no official cap is provided, all swimmers should wear their own brightly colored swim cap.

4.8 Goggles. Swimmers may wear, but shall not be required to wear, swim goggles or face masks.

4.9 Illegal Equipment. Any swimmer wearing any artificial propulsion device, including but not limited to fins, gloves, paddles, or floating devices of any kind shall be disqualified.

Download full USAT competition rules

• Pros race for a $15,000 pro purse
• Age groupers battle for 51 slots to the World Championship (see chart below)
• Valuable XTERRA America Tour and XTERRA Pan American Tour points

Top finishers at Oak Mountain Championship race are awarded slots to the XTERRA World Championship in Kapalua, Maui based on the following age group allocations.

2021 Non-U.S.A. Elite Athlete Prize Money Policy:

You will be contacted by TEAM Unlimited via email to complete a US Government W-8BEN form.  When we receive your W-8BEN, we will issue prize money via bank wire to your account.

We will withhold 30% of total 2021 prize money paid over treaty limits specified in IRS Publication 901 (find your country starting on page 2 – Personal Services Income – and clause related to athlete limitations).  If your country is not listed, we will withhold 30%.

You may file for a refund of 2021 withholdings on IRS 2020 Form 1040NR by April 15, 2022.  Business expenses may be deducted.  Review the instructions and/or seek tax advice.

Cahaba Cyles

271 Pelham Parkway
Pelham, AL 35124

cahabacycles.com

Get Directions

Phone: (205) 987-4043

Store Hours: M-F 10-6, Sat 9-6, Sun 1-5

Located right outside of the park and will be on-site at the XTERRA Expo Saturday morning.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Explore a wide range of accommodation options in Shelby County, click HERE. 

Special Hotel Deals

Holiday Inn Express - offers XTERRA athletes a special $90/night* rate.

260 Cahaba Valley Road

Pelham, AL 35124

205-987-8888

Book your room now! 

Comfort Suites, Pelham - offers XTERRA athletes special rates of $89 King or $94/night Double (2 Queens) plus tax from May 2-10.
Call 205-982-1999 and ask for the XTERRA Group Rate.
2235 Pelham Parkway
Pelham, AL 35124

Rental Car

Hertz - our Preferred Car Rental Agency, offers 5% off all rentals to XTERRA participants, friends and family.
Use code 2213376 when you book your car. Good for travel to XTERRA events and personal travel.
Book Your Rental Car noW!

You can also enroll in “Hertz Gold Plus Rewards” at no additional cost to bypass the counter and go straight to your car. 
To enroll in the program, click here to go to the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment page. Once you complete the enrollment process, you will be issued a #1 Club Gold Number instantly, which will be sent to your email. Existing Gold members, please log in to your profile if you have not already, and change your Corporate Discount Program to 2213376.

Travel by Air

Closest airport is Birmingham (BMH) or fly into Atlanta (ATL) and drive 2 hours to Pelham.

Driving Directions to Oak Mountain State Park

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 onto 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.

NOTE:  The closest address you can enter into a mapping program is 200 Terrace Drive – Pelham, AL 35124.  This is the address for the Wildlife Center above the event compound, but will get you close and you’ll be able to see the XTERRA signs once on Terrace Drive.

Race Headquarters

On Terrace Drive, just past the Park Headquarters.  Look for big white tents and XTERRA signage.

Day Use Fees at Oak Mountain State Park

$5 per Adult (age 12+)
$2 per Child (age 4-11)
$2 per Senior (age 62+)
Free for ages 3 & under

The gates take CASH ONLY. Please bring exact change to speed-along entry, and keep in mind that proceeds are providing financial support for Oak Mountain State Park.  Thank you.
 

There is so much to discover right around Oak Mountain State Park! Be sure to check out the new Oak Mountain Brewing Company and The Beer Hog to sample some amazing local craft brews. Don’t miss out on The Margarita Grill…an XTERRA crew favorite!
 
Want to ride or run some wicked, but fairly untapped trails? Cahaba River Park is for you! Timing should be perfect at the beginning of May to sneak a glimpse of the iconic Cahaba lilies in bloom. These aquatic flowering plants only grown in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina…and only bloom for one month out of the year…MAY!
 
Visit DiscoverShelby.com to find other events, Places to Go, Things to Do, and more while you are in town. Enjoy!

CAMPING

RV spots and campsites at the State Park.
If you wish to reserve a site online https://guestrez.megasyshms.com/KWJ6F/oak-mountain-state-park-campground-and-cabins.

To make a reservation by phone call  (205) 620-2520 or (800) 252-7275.

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER HERE! 

*Please note, COVID safety precautions will be taken very seriously for each volunteer. Contact Emily at volunteer [at] xterraplanet.com for further information. 

Join us and be part of “the greatest race on dirt” - a fantastic international event weekend with some of the best athletes from all over the world swimming, riding, and running right here in Pelham, Alabama. We are looking for groups or individuals who have a few hours to spare to help with the event. 

Various duties include helping register athletes before the race, body-marking, prepping food/drinks in the recovery tent, handing out water/Gatorade on the course, being a course marshal, helping out the timers, and more.

Volunteers will get a great looking event t-shirt, a lite breakfast, lunch, all the Gatorade they can drink, free entry into any of the XTERRA Trail Runs on Sunday, and the undying gratitude of the XTERRA family!  The XTERRA crew will deploy volunteers to cover road crossings, help with transition (this is where the athletes go from swim-to-bike and later from bike-to-run) and hand out water and drinks at aid stations, at the finish line, and with timing. 

If you cannot stay for a full shift, we can work around your schedule, just let us know in advance.

Have additional questions? Email or call the XTERRA Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer [at] xterraplanet.com or 877-751-8880 x 3.  Hope to see you there!

Have a look at the 2019 XTERRA Oak Mountain Triathlon.

View XTICER & Sprint Swim Photos

View Bike Photos

View Finish Line Photos

For XTERRA Oak Mountain information, email info [at] xterraplanet.com or call 877-751-8880.