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After months of anticipation and worldwide coverage since XTERRA announced Ruidoso as the host of the 30th anniversary XTERRA World Championship in 2026, the world got its first real look at what this mountain village is all about. From August 15–17, hundreds of athletes were welcomed by a village of over 7,000 people for a debut embraced by the hospitality of a community, from its officials to its many volunteers, who know how to stand strong against whatever nature brings, just like the athletes themselves.
On the course around Grindstone Lake and beneath the Sierra Blanca peaks, the first XTERRA Ruidoso champions were crowned. Amanda Felder (USA) took the women’s Elite victory one year after winning the inaugural XTERRA North American Championship, and former XTERRA World Champion Josiah Middaugh (USA) claimed the men’s Elite title. But the loudest cheers belonged to Reed Legg (USA, 20–24), who crossed the line ahead of all athletes, finishing just 19 seconds in front of Middaugh. Amari Graber (USA, 25–29) led the women’s age group field, adding to the powerful first chapter of a journey toward future World titles. The Sprint Distance Triathlon also doubled as a Youth World Championship Qualifier, giving Junior, Youth B, and Youth A athletes the rare chance to test themselves on the exact trails where they could return for the Youth Worlds in 2026.
Early mornings brought calm skies and cool mountain air, with highs around 73 °F (22–23 °C). The festivities brought the heat, with concerts filling Wingfield Park on Friday and Saturday night, shops opening their doors for the Midtown Shop Hop, and families gathering around the finish line to share stories and celebrate victories. By Sunday evening, there was no doubt left that XTERRA Ruidoso had arrived and established itself not just as a future World Championship venue but as a host with a character and cultural heritage all its own.
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“This event represents a new chapter for our community, one filled with hope, celebration, and the kind of outdoor adventure that defines who we are,” read the official statement from the Village of Ruidoso.
That sense of renewal carried weight. From the Indigenous presence more than 12,000 years ago to the Spanish settlers, ranchers, and frontier legends who shaped its early identity, Ruidoso has always been a cultural crossroads. The village was built around Dowlin’s Mill in 1868, where figures like Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett left their mark. Just weeks after flash flooding tested the town once more, XTERRA Ruidoso offered a moment that brought athletes and locals together in celebration, with the finish line only one part of a fully immersive weekend.
XTERRA Americas Tour Manager Steve Andrus described it as “a chance to unwind and just focus on having a good time, specifically focusing on adventure, active lifestyles, engaging with outdoor communities.” Eddie Ryan, Manager of Events and Strategic Partnerships for the village, added, “Outdoor recreation has always been a big part of who we are.” And from the athlete’s perspective, Michael Pearce (USA, 60–64), who won his division, summed it up: “It just screams outdoors, adventure, fun, excitement, and wild. Overall, it is a very welcoming community that really takes pride in their culture.”
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The Full Distance race began with a 1.5K swim in the clear waters of Grindstone Lake, broken into two laps with an Australian exit that gave athletes and spectators an early burst of energy. With the Sierra Blanca peaks rising in the background and morning temperatures holding steady, conditions were ideal as competitors moved from the lake to the trails.
The 30K bike course opened with a full lap around Grindstone Lake before launching into a 5.5K climb toward Grindstone Mesa. Once at the top, athletes were rewarded with sweeping views before being thrown into technical singletrack and rocky descents that demanded control. “The course was very thrilling, a great climb to start the bike followed by fun flowing single track to a fun downhill to T2,” said John Wiygul (USA, Elite), who finished fourth overall and third Elite. “The run was just as good, with two loops of mostly single track hills to a fast finish down to the town park.” The final 10K run circled the lake twice before that last push into Wingfield Park, where the finish line became the centerpiece of celebration, closing a course that proved every bit worthy of future World Championships.
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The Full Distance race set the tone in Ruidoso, with fierce competition across both Elite and age group divisions. The women’s race belonged to Amanda Felder (USA, Elite), who combined the fastest swim (22:06) and bike (1:37:41) splits of the day to secure victory in 3:05:07. One year after claiming the first-ever XTERRA North American Championship, Felder proved again that her endurance and tactical strength keep her at the front of the sport. Amari Graber (USA, 25–29) impressed as the top age grouper, finishing second overall in 3:14:06, while Brittany Schroeder (USA, Elite) rounded out the podium in 3:18:15. A special mention also goes to Amy Machen (USA, 30–34), who stormed through the run in 1:01:31, the fastest women’s run split of the day.
Reflecting on her win, Felder highlighted the unique draw of this new venue: “I was very intrigued and excited by the announcement that Worlds would be held in Ruidoso in 2026. I had never been to Ruidoso in particular, but I’ve always appreciated New Mexico’s raw natural beauty, culture, and rugged trails. This race was the perfect excuse to preview the new Worlds venue, and I’m glad I raced here.” She praised the community support as much as the course itself: “From the course to the friendly volunteers to the venue setup, it was a great experience. The Ruidoso community has been incredible, and having them so closely involved was critical. The local volunteers were amazing, the businesses were behind it, and it was great to shake hands with some of the council members at the finish.”
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The men’s race delivered its own storyline of legends and rising stars. Reed Legg (USA, 20–24) opened with a blazing 19:31 swim — the fastest of the day — and held on through the bike and run to cross the line first overall in 2:28:40. Just 19 seconds later, former XTERRA World Champion Josiah Middaugh (USA, Elite) charged in with the fastest bike (1:18:05) and fastest run (44:25), reminding everyone that at 47 years old, his legendary abilities remain sharp as ever. Branden Rakita (USA, Elite) completed the podium in 2:34:06 after a strong all-around performance. Middaugh claimed the men’s Elite crown, while Legg, racing as an age grouper, announced himself as a name to watch heading toward 2026, especially if the two meet again on the trails.
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From Friday’s kick-off concert with Dallas Burrow to Saturday’s performance by Phil Hamilton, the Ruidoso Summer Concert Series set the weekend’s tone under the mountain sky. Lakeside yoga and the Midtown Shop Hop kept the village buzzing, while XTERRA Movie Night brought athletes and locals together before race day.
Families flocked to the hands-on Family Zone created by the Lincoln County Community Health Council, where kids found activities centered on wellness and play. At Grindstone Lake, the Big Ben Sanchez Youth Foundation ran concessions to raise funds for sports scholarships, supporting the same local kids who lined up for Sunday’s 10K Trail Run and Kid’s Sprint. With more than 7,000 residents, volunteers, council members, and local businesses all joining forces, the village transformed into an XTERRA festival that left a lasting impression on everyone who came. Ruidoso proved it could host on every level, and now anticipation builds for its moment on the global stage at the 2026 XTERRA World Championship.
After months of anticipation and worldwide coverage since XTERRA announced Ruidoso as the host of the 30th anniversary XTERRA World Championship in 2026, the world got its first real look at what this mountain village is all about. From August 15–17, hundreds of athletes were welcomed by a village of over 7,000 people for a debut embraced by the hospitality of a community, from its officials to its many volunteers, who know how to stand strong against whatever nature brings, just like the athletes themselves.
On the course around Grindstone Lake and beneath the Sierra Blanca peaks, the first XTERRA Ruidoso champions were crowned. Amanda Felder (USA) took the women’s Elite victory one year after winning the inaugural XTERRA North American Championship, and former XTERRA World Champion Josiah Middaugh (USA) claimed the men’s Elite title. But the loudest cheers belonged to Reed Legg (USA, 20–24), who crossed the line ahead of all athletes, finishing just 19 seconds in front of Middaugh. Amari Graber (USA, 25–29) led the women’s age group field, adding to the powerful first chapter of a journey toward future World titles. The Sprint Distance Triathlon also doubled as a Youth World Championship Qualifier, giving Junior, Youth B, and Youth A athletes the rare chance to test themselves on the exact trails where they could return for the Youth Worlds in 2026.
Early mornings brought calm skies and cool mountain air, with highs around 73 °F (22–23 °C). The festivities brought the heat, with concerts filling Wingfield Park on Friday and Saturday night, shops opening their doors for the Midtown Shop Hop, and families gathering around the finish line to share stories and celebrate victories. By Sunday evening, there was no doubt left that XTERRA Ruidoso had arrived and established itself not just as a future World Championship venue but as a host with a character and cultural heritage all its own.
“This event represents a new chapter for our community, one filled with hope, celebration, and the kind of outdoor adventure that defines who we are,” read the official statement from the Village of Ruidoso.
That sense of renewal carried weight. From the Indigenous presence more than 12,000 years ago to the Spanish settlers, ranchers, and frontier legends who shaped its early identity, Ruidoso has always been a cultural crossroads. The village was built around Dowlin’s Mill in 1868, where figures like Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett left their mark. Just weeks after flash flooding tested the town once more, XTERRA Ruidoso offered a moment that brought athletes and locals together in celebration, with the finish line only one part of a fully immersive weekend.
XTERRA Americas Tour Manager Steve Andrus described it as “a chance to unwind and just focus on having a good time, specifically focusing on adventure, active lifestyles, engaging with outdoor communities.” Eddie Ryan, Manager of Events and Strategic Partnerships for the village, added, “Outdoor recreation has always been a big part of who we are.” And from the athlete’s perspective, Michael Pearce (USA, 60–64), who won his division, summed it up: “It just screams outdoors, adventure, fun, excitement, and wild. Overall, it is a very welcoming community that really takes pride in their culture.”
The Full Distance race began with a 1.5K swim in the clear waters of Grindstone Lake, broken into two laps with an Australian exit that gave athletes and spectators an early burst of energy. With the Sierra Blanca peaks rising in the background and morning temperatures holding steady, conditions were ideal as competitors moved from the lake to the trails.
The 30K bike course opened with a full lap around Grindstone Lake before launching into a 5.5K climb toward Grindstone Mesa. Once at the top, athletes were rewarded with sweeping views before being thrown into technical singletrack and rocky descents that demanded control. “The course was very thrilling, a great climb to start the bike followed by fun flowing single track to a fun downhill to T2,” said John Wiygul (USA, Elite), who finished fourth overall and third Elite. “The run was just as good, with two loops of mostly single track hills to a fast finish down to the town park.” The final 10K run circled the lake twice before that last push into Wingfield Park, where the finish line became the centerpiece of celebration, closing a course that proved every bit worthy of future World Championships.
The Full Distance race set the tone in Ruidoso, with fierce competition across both Elite and age group divisions. The women’s race belonged to Amanda Felder (USA, Elite), who combined the fastest swim (22:06) and bike (1:37:41) splits of the day to secure victory in 3:05:07. One year after claiming the first-ever XTERRA North American Championship, Felder proved again that her endurance and tactical strength keep her at the front of the sport. Amari Graber (USA, 25–29) impressed as the top age grouper, finishing second overall in 3:14:06, while Brittany Schroeder (USA, Elite) rounded out the podium in 3:18:15. A special mention also goes to Amy Machen (USA, 30–34), who stormed through the run in 1:01:31, the fastest women’s run split of the day.
Reflecting on her win, Felder highlighted the unique draw of this new venue: “I was very intrigued and excited by the announcement that Worlds would be held in Ruidoso in 2026. I had never been to Ruidoso in particular, but I’ve always appreciated New Mexico’s raw natural beauty, culture, and rugged trails. This race was the perfect excuse to preview the new Worlds venue, and I’m glad I raced here.” She praised the community support as much as the course itself: “From the course to the friendly volunteers to the venue setup, it was a great experience. The Ruidoso community has been incredible, and having them so closely involved was critical. The local volunteers were amazing, the businesses were behind it, and it was great to shake hands with some of the council members at the finish.”
The men’s race delivered its own storyline of legends and rising stars. Reed Legg (USA, 20–24) opened with a blazing 19:31 swim — the fastest of the day — and held on through the bike and run to cross the line first overall in 2:28:40. Just 19 seconds later, former XTERRA World Champion Josiah Middaugh (USA, Elite) charged in with the fastest bike (1:18:05) and fastest run (44:25), reminding everyone that at 47 years old, his legendary abilities remain sharp as ever. Branden Rakita (USA, Elite) completed the podium in 2:34:06 after a strong all-around performance. Middaugh claimed the men’s Elite crown, while Legg, racing as an age grouper, announced himself as a name to watch heading toward 2026, especially if the two meet again on the trails.
From Friday’s kick-off concert with Dallas Burrow to Saturday’s performance by Phil Hamilton, the Ruidoso Summer Concert Series set the weekend’s tone under the mountain sky. Lakeside yoga and the Midtown Shop Hop kept the village buzzing, while XTERRA Movie Night brought athletes and locals together before race day.
Families flocked to the hands-on Family Zone created by the Lincoln County Community Health Council, where kids found activities centered on wellness and play. At Grindstone Lake, the Big Ben Sanchez Youth Foundation ran concessions to raise funds for sports scholarships, supporting the same local kids who lined up for Sunday’s 10K Trail Run and Kid’s Sprint. With more than 7,000 residents, volunteers, council members, and local businesses all joining forces, the village transformed into an XTERRA festival that left a lasting impression on everyone who came. Ruidoso proved it could host on every level, and now anticipation builds for its moment on the global stage at the 2026 XTERRA World Championship.
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