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San José del Cabo hosted a true sports and family festival on November 22–23, bringing athletes, parents, and kids together on the southern edge of the Baja Peninsula of Mexico. The crystal clear water, the biodiverse coastline known for spectacular whale watching, and a sunrise over the Sea of Cortez that many called the best they had ever experienced created a bucket list weekend centered on discovering new places and living more outdoors.
Slots were available in both the Full Distance Triathlon and the youth divisions, offering young athletes and age group competitors a pathway toward the 30th anniversary of the XTERRA World Championship that will be held in Ruidoso, New Mexico in 2026.
Racing took place across the Full Distance Triathlon (Swim 1.5K, Bike 32K, Run 10K), the Sprint Triathlon for Youth A, Youth B, and Junior qualifiers (Swim 700M, Bike 17K, Run 5K), the Kids Aquathlon (Swim 300M, Run 2K), and the Trail Desert Half Marathon (21K) that served as a qualifier for the 2026 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship in Gozo, Malta.
In the Full Distance Triathlon, Steve Croucher (USA) won the men’s race in 2:37:57, and Adriana Fabiola Corona Garcia (MEX) finished first overall in the women’s race in 3:11:12. Croucher returned the next day and also won the Trail Desert Half Marathon in 1:34:07. Sarah Morrison (USA) topped the women’s half marathon in 2:04:42. The heart of the story belonged to the people who were there and the voices that shaped the weekend.
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Adriana Fabiola Corona Garcia (MEX) talked about how special it felt to win in her home country. She said, "The swimming part was beautiful. The sunrise, just amazing." Her race took a turn when, "On the second lap, almost to the top, my chain broke. But I was like a cartoon, walking with my feet all the way down in the downhill sections." She pushed through the heat by telling herself, "Okay, I have Aztec blood and I got to the finish line in first place in my own country, so I'm very happy with the result." She also reflected on her return to XTERRA. "My last XTERRA was in 2019 in China when I won. I feel good to be back. I feel young again, forever young. I love XTERRA and I love to travel. I love to see new venues, new countries. I will check out the 2026 World Tour calendar to make a plan for next year."
Steve Croucher (USA) and Sarah Morrison (USA) each shared what stood out for them. Croucher said, "The swim was extra salty. I loved it. My cap fell off. My goggles fell off. It was a crazy start." One moment defined his morning. "It was like the sun was just coming up. It was the brightest orange. And the horizon was completely covered." Morrison raced both the triathlon and the trail run. "The triathlon was very challenging. I haven't biked on sand before. This was my first saltwater swim, it was amazing." The trail run surprised her. "To my surprise, the trail run went even better." What she remembered most was the people who made the weekend feel like the real winner. "Everyone's been really friendly. People here are so nice to recommend places to go and things to do. It's been amazing to travel and race internationally and see a different culture and see new terrain and find new challenges."
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Many athletes in Cabo came for the experience, the warmth, and the chance to explore somewhere new. Even with a prize purse available for elites, most were there simply to enjoy the weekend, including Courtney Caup (USA), who finished 3rd overall.
Caup said, "It was one of the most memorable swims that I've ever had in 20 years of doing triathlons. We chose this race based on location and the time of year. Coming from Vermont, getting to a warm place, the sunshine before the long winter makes this a great weekend." Karen Ward came to support Courtney and explained her role simply: "I'm here as a support and gear wagon. We experience a lot of gratitude to XTERRA for exploring the world in places we would have never chosen."
What stood out for Matthew Trybus (USA), 24th overall, was “the friendliness of the people and the natural beauty of the area, the tracks that were amazing, technical, fun,” along with what he called “the most beautiful sunrise of my entire life today in the Sea of Cortez.” He planned to turn the weekend into a full vacation with sightseeing, good food, whale watching, and time at the beach.
Lauren Samay (USA), 13th in the Trail Desert Half Marathon, said the race was “amazing, so much fun, very challenging” and shared that it was only her second half marathon after starting to run again in June. Her first XTERRA left her smiling, saying it was “awesome,” that “everybody’s so kind and friendly,” the weather was gorgeous, and she was “just having the best time” with “the challenge and the beauty and the whole atmosphere.”
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Like many athletes, families, and friends who stayed to enjoy Cabo after the finish line, the weekend carried a feeling of discovery and connection shaped by the people who made it possible. Countless participants mentioned how helpful the locals were with recommendations, how positive the volunteers were throughout the course, and how the supporting teams added to the experience.
Credit goes to Clandestino Baja Travel Experiences, the many event partners, and the full crew of volunteers whose energy kept the days running smoothly. Most of all, thanks go to race organizer Sergio Sarmiento and his team for delivering another fantastic edition of XTERRA Cabo, creating an atmosphere that left athletes feeling supported, encouraged, and excited to explore everything the region offers.
Follow XTERRA Americas on Instagram for content that emerges from the weekend over the coming week and visit the XTERRA Cabo event page to view the full results.
San José del Cabo hosted a true sports and family festival on November 22–23, bringing athletes, parents, and kids together on the southern edge of the Baja Peninsula of Mexico. The crystal clear water, the biodiverse coastline known for spectacular whale watching, and a sunrise over the Sea of Cortez that many called the best they had ever experienced created a bucket list weekend centered on discovering new places and living more outdoors.
Slots were available in both the Full Distance Triathlon and the youth divisions, offering young athletes and age group competitors a pathway toward the 30th anniversary of the XTERRA World Championship that will be held in Ruidoso, New Mexico in 2026.
Racing took place across the Full Distance Triathlon (Swim 1.5K, Bike 32K, Run 10K), the Sprint Triathlon for Youth A, Youth B, and Junior qualifiers (Swim 700M, Bike 17K, Run 5K), the Kids Aquathlon (Swim 300M, Run 2K), and the Trail Desert Half Marathon (21K) that served as a qualifier for the 2026 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship in Gozo, Malta.
In the Full Distance Triathlon, Steve Croucher (USA) won the men’s race in 2:37:57, and Adriana Fabiola Corona Garcia (MEX) finished first overall in the women’s race in 3:11:12. Croucher returned the next day and also won the Trail Desert Half Marathon in 1:34:07. Sarah Morrison (USA) topped the women’s half marathon in 2:04:42. The heart of the story belonged to the people who were there and the voices that shaped the weekend.
Adriana Fabiola Corona Garcia (MEX) talked about how special it felt to win in her home country. She said, "The swimming part was beautiful. The sunrise, just amazing." Her race took a turn when, "On the second lap, almost to the top, my chain broke. But I was like a cartoon, walking with my feet all the way down in the downhill sections." She pushed through the heat by telling herself, "Okay, I have Aztec blood and I got to the finish line in first place in my own country, so I'm very happy with the result." She also reflected on her return to XTERRA. "My last XTERRA was in 2019 in China when I won. I feel good to be back. I feel young again, forever young. I love XTERRA and I love to travel. I love to see new venues, new countries. I will check out the 2026 World Tour calendar to make a plan for next year."
Steve Croucher (USA) and Sarah Morrison (USA) each shared what stood out for them. Croucher said, "The swim was extra salty. I loved it. My cap fell off. My goggles fell off. It was a crazy start." One moment defined his morning. "It was like the sun was just coming up. It was the brightest orange. And the horizon was completely covered." Morrison raced both the triathlon and the trail run. "The triathlon was very challenging. I haven't biked on sand before. This was my first saltwater swim, it was amazing." The trail run surprised her. "To my surprise, the trail run went even better." What she remembered most was the people who made the weekend feel like the real winner. "Everyone's been really friendly. People here are so nice to recommend places to go and things to do. It's been amazing to travel and race internationally and see a different culture and see new terrain and find new challenges."
Many athletes in Cabo came for the experience, the warmth, and the chance to explore somewhere new. Even with a prize purse available for elites, most were there simply to enjoy the weekend, including Courtney Caup (USA), who finished 3rd overall.
Caup said, "It was one of the most memorable swims that I've ever had in 20 years of doing triathlons. We chose this race based on location and the time of year. Coming from Vermont, getting to a warm place, the sunshine before the long winter makes this a great weekend." Karen Ward came to support Courtney and explained her role simply: "I'm here as a support and gear wagon. We experience a lot of gratitude to XTERRA for exploring the world in places we would have never chosen."
What stood out for Matthew Trybus (USA), 24th overall, was “the friendliness of the people and the natural beauty of the area, the tracks that were amazing, technical, fun,” along with what he called “the most beautiful sunrise of my entire life today in the Sea of Cortez.” He planned to turn the weekend into a full vacation with sightseeing, good food, whale watching, and time at the beach.
Lauren Samay (USA), 13th in the Trail Desert Half Marathon, said the race was “amazing, so much fun, very challenging” and shared that it was only her second half marathon after starting to run again in June. Her first XTERRA left her smiling, saying it was “awesome,” that “everybody’s so kind and friendly,” the weather was gorgeous, and she was “just having the best time” with “the challenge and the beauty and the whole atmosphere.”
Like many athletes, families, and friends who stayed to enjoy Cabo after the finish line, the weekend carried a feeling of discovery and connection shaped by the people who made it possible. Countless participants mentioned how helpful the locals were with recommendations, how positive the volunteers were throughout the course, and how the supporting teams added to the experience.
Credit goes to Clandestino Baja Travel Experiences, the many event partners, and the full crew of volunteers whose energy kept the days running smoothly. Most of all, thanks go to race organizer Sergio Sarmiento and his team for delivering another fantastic edition of XTERRA Cabo, creating an atmosphere that left athletes feeling supported, encouraged, and excited to explore everything the region offers.
Follow XTERRA Americas on Instagram for content that emerges from the weekend over the coming week and visit the XTERRA Cabo event page to view the full results.
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XTERRA is a global lifestyle brand that champions the outdoor enthusiast in their pursuit of relentless adventure.
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