The 16th edition of the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship takes place this weekend in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), marking the first time the event is held in Europe. Throughout the year, runners have competed across the XTERRA Trail Run World Series, tackling diverse and challenging courses from the wild valleys of South Africa to New Zealand’s volcanic trails. On July 12, athletes from around the world will gather beneath the peak of Yr Wyddfa to contest world titles on Half Marathon and Full Marathon courses shaped by the history and beauty of the Welsh landscape.
The XTERRA Trail Run World Championship began in 2008 at Kualoa Ranch, Hawaii, with Max King (USA) and Cindy Anderson (USA) as the first champions. For over a decade the event was held there as a Half Marathon, producing legends like Joe Gray (USA), who won five titles, and Lucy Smith (CAN), the oldest overall champion at 45. In 2021 the race moved to Maui, then to Maine in 2023, where the format expanded to include both Full and Half Marathon titles. Recent champions include Mason Coppi (USA), Caitlin Patterson (USA), Andy Wacker (USA), Rachel Tomajczyk (USA), Grant Colligan (USA), Corey Dowe (USA), and Rémi Leroux (CAN).
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Launched in 2022, the XTERRA Trail Run World Series connects races across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific under a single ranking system and pathway to the World Championship. The 2025 series features over 40 races in 24 countries, offering diverse courses from Arizona’s deserts to Malaysia’s jungles and Andorra’s alpine trails. Open to all levels, the series allows runners to earn points, track progress, and compete for titles in either the Half or Full Marathon while being part of a global trail running community.
Eryri National Park, home to Wales’ highest peak, Yr Wyddfa, provides a dramatic and fitting stage for the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship. Known as “the highlands” or “the land of eagles,” the park features steep ascents, rocky ridges, mossy forests, and rapidly changing weather that challenge even the most experienced runners. Since 2022, XTERRA has introduced international athletes to this rugged landscape, which has long hosted mountain races like the International Snowdon Race. Local communities in towns such as Llanberis and Betws-y-Coed have embraced the event, sharing the trails and culture of this legendary location with runners from around the world.
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The XTERRA Trail Run World Championship is welcomed with pride by the people of Eryri. Jack Sergeant, Welsh Minister for Culture, Skills & Social Partnerships, told athletes, “No matter where in the world you have travelled from, you will feel there really is no better place for this exciting programme of competitions. Embrace the challenge, the camaraderie, and the unique landscape that makes Eryri so special.” Claire Stones of Always Aim High Events added, “It means the world to us to welcome athletes from across the globe and share the magic of the wild, beautiful place we proudly call home. From the mountain paths to the local communities, there’s a shared energy here that brings everyone together.”
The 21K Half Marathon, which crowned the first XTERRA Trail Run World Champions in 2008, remains central to the championship today. Starting and finishing in Llanberis, the course climbs 1,192 m (3,910 ft) over Yr Wyddfa, passing landmarks like Dolbadarn Castle, the Finger Stone, and the Dinorwig Slate Quarries before descending back to the finish. This year’s international field includes athletes with inspiring stories. Anna Janke (GBR) said it is “special to see so many athletes from different nationalities and cultures coming together.” Kevin Mitchell (USA) called his first race outside the U.S. “a chance to prove I can do hard things,” while Gabriela Calderón Rojas (CRI) described running as returning “to the freer, more present version of me.” Delhoum Salima (FRA), defending her age-group title, added that running has helped her regain confidence and inspired her grandchildren to chase their own goals.
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The 44K Full Marathon challenges runners with 1,685 m (5,528 ft) of climbing through Eryri’s highest peaks and quietest valleys. Starting in Llanberis, the course passes through Rhyd Ddu, Beddgelert, and Nant Gwynant before ascending the steep PyG Track to the Finger Stone, offering sweeping views before descending to the finish. Glen Avery (USA), returning world champion in his age group, said he runs “to show people in my generation what’s possible no matter their age.” Simone Berger (DEU) called running “a metaphor for life… being here reminds me it’s worth fighting and never giving up.” Marlen Arnold (DEU) said the experience “fills me with pride and reminds me it’s never too late to believe in yourself.” Yoann Stuck (FRA) added, “I’ve been looking forward to pinning on a bib again and seeing what these trails in Eryri have in store for me,” while Maximilian Armstrong (USA) noted simply, “We run to test ourselves on the trails, but also just to be on the trails.”
The World Championship weekend in Eryri offers more than just the Full and Half Marathon championship races. Runners can also take part in the ultra marathon, 10K, and open categories, as well as a mindfulness walk and a community run through the valleys in the days leading up to the main events. After the races, athletes and supporters gather for an awards dinner to celebrate the champions and share stories from the trails. For those following remotely, highlights and updates will be shared on XTERRA Trail Run Instagram and YouTube as the 2025 XTERRA Trail Run World Series continues around the globe.
The 16th edition of the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship takes place this weekend in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), marking the first time the event is held in Europe. Throughout the year, runners have competed across the XTERRA Trail Run World Series, tackling diverse and challenging courses from the wild valleys of South Africa to New Zealand’s volcanic trails. On July 12, athletes from around the world will gather beneath the peak of Yr Wyddfa to contest world titles on Half Marathon and Full Marathon courses shaped by the history and beauty of the Welsh landscape.
The XTERRA Trail Run World Championship began in 2008 at Kualoa Ranch, Hawaii, with Max King (USA) and Cindy Anderson (USA) as the first champions. For over a decade the event was held there as a Half Marathon, producing legends like Joe Gray (USA), who won five titles, and Lucy Smith (CAN), the oldest overall champion at 45. In 2021 the race moved to Maui, then to Maine in 2023, where the format expanded to include both Full and Half Marathon titles. Recent champions include Mason Coppi (USA), Caitlin Patterson (USA), Andy Wacker (USA), Rachel Tomajczyk (USA), Grant Colligan (USA), Corey Dowe (USA), and Rémi Leroux (CAN).
Launched in 2022, the XTERRA Trail Run World Series connects races across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific under a single ranking system and pathway to the World Championship. The 2025 series features over 40 races in 24 countries, offering diverse courses from Arizona’s deserts to Malaysia’s jungles and Andorra’s alpine trails. Open to all levels, the series allows runners to earn points, track progress, and compete for titles in either the Half or Full Marathon while being part of a global trail running community.
Eryri National Park, home to Wales’ highest peak, Yr Wyddfa, provides a dramatic and fitting stage for the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship. Known as “the highlands” or “the land of eagles,” the park features steep ascents, rocky ridges, mossy forests, and rapidly changing weather that challenge even the most experienced runners. Since 2022, XTERRA has introduced international athletes to this rugged landscape, which has long hosted mountain races like the International Snowdon Race. Local communities in towns such as Llanberis and Betws-y-Coed have embraced the event, sharing the trails and culture of this legendary location with runners from around the world.
The XTERRA Trail Run World Championship is welcomed with pride by the people of Eryri. Jack Sergeant, Welsh Minister for Culture, Skills & Social Partnerships, told athletes, “No matter where in the world you have travelled from, you will feel there really is no better place for this exciting programme of competitions. Embrace the challenge, the camaraderie, and the unique landscape that makes Eryri so special.” Claire Stones of Always Aim High Events added, “It means the world to us to welcome athletes from across the globe and share the magic of the wild, beautiful place we proudly call home. From the mountain paths to the local communities, there’s a shared energy here that brings everyone together.”
The 21K Half Marathon, which crowned the first XTERRA Trail Run World Champions in 2008, remains central to the championship today. Starting and finishing in Llanberis, the course climbs 1,192 m (3,910 ft) over Yr Wyddfa, passing landmarks like Dolbadarn Castle, the Finger Stone, and the Dinorwig Slate Quarries before descending back to the finish. This year’s international field includes athletes with inspiring stories. Anna Janke (GBR) said it is “special to see so many athletes from different nationalities and cultures coming together.” Kevin Mitchell (USA) called his first race outside the U.S. “a chance to prove I can do hard things,” while Gabriela Calderón Rojas (CRI) described running as returning “to the freer, more present version of me.” Delhoum Salima (FRA), defending her age-group title, added that running has helped her regain confidence and inspired her grandchildren to chase their own goals.
The 44K Full Marathon challenges runners with 1,685 m (5,528 ft) of climbing through Eryri’s highest peaks and quietest valleys. Starting in Llanberis, the course passes through Rhyd Ddu, Beddgelert, and Nant Gwynant before ascending the steep PyG Track to the Finger Stone, offering sweeping views before descending to the finish. Glen Avery (USA), returning world champion in his age group, said he runs “to show people in my generation what’s possible no matter their age.” Simone Berger (DEU) called running “a metaphor for life… being here reminds me it’s worth fighting and never giving up.” Marlen Arnold (DEU) said the experience “fills me with pride and reminds me it’s never too late to believe in yourself.” Yoann Stuck (FRA) added, “I’ve been looking forward to pinning on a bib again and seeing what these trails in Eryri have in store for me,” while Maximilian Armstrong (USA) noted simply, “We run to test ourselves on the trails, but also just to be on the trails.”
The World Championship weekend in Eryri offers more than just the Full and Half Marathon championship races. Runners can also take part in the ultra marathon, 10K, and open categories, as well as a mindfulness walk and a community run through the valleys in the days leading up to the main events. After the races, athletes and supporters gather for an awards dinner to celebrate the champions and share stories from the trails. For those following remotely, highlights and updates will be shared on XTERRA Trail Run Instagram and YouTube as the 2025 XTERRA Trail Run World Series continues around the globe.
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