Back to the Roots: John Wiygul on the North American Champs and Oak Mountain’s Legacy

With the XTERRA World Championship heading back to the United States in 2026, the spotlight is already shifting toward America’s most iconic off-road venues—and few carry as much weight as Oak Mountain State Park in Alabama.

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Long regarded as a cornerstone of XTERRA’s stateside events, Oak Mountain returns in 2025 as the host of the XTERRA North American Championship, a title it also held last season. Known for its deep pine forests, crystal-clear lake, and purpose-built singletrack trails that pass through the infamous “Blood Rock” section, the venue will also serve as the fourth stop of the XTERRA World Cup and welcome the inaugural North American Youth Championship for the next generation of off-road triathletes.

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To get a local perspective, we caught up with John Wiygul—a Tennessee-based XTERRA athlete who’s raced Oak Mountain more than any other stop on the World Tour. From course insights to Southern hospitality (including where to find the best post-race breakfast), John shares what makes this venue—and this community—one of his favourites on the planet.

Let’s start at the beginning—how did you first get into off-road triathlon?

John: I started running cross country in elementary school, and I got into rock climbing pretty young too, mostly with my older brother. One night we were sitting on the couch and he said, “Let’s go for a run.” That run ended up being an hour and a half—and after that, I just kept going.

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At some point I saw a flyer for a 50K trail race at a local outdoor store and thought, “Yeah, this sounds perfect.” Around that same time, my high school cross country coach found out I’d run a 50K and said, “Okay, you’re running 5K for us now.” So I was racing 5Ks for school while still doing longer stuff on my own. I was never particularly great at either, but I loved the variety and the challenge.

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I did my first sprint triathlon around age 16. I wasn’t much of a swimmer, but I could bike and run okay. That same year I ran my first marathon, and by 18 I had done my first Ironman.

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After getting hit by a car while road cycling, I made the switch to mountain biking. Someone told me about XTERRA and I figured I’d give it a shot. I raced my first one and immediately loved it.

From your experience, what makes XTERRA different from other endurance sports you’ve tried?

I love the community and the environment. The people I met at those early races—some of them I’m still friends with to this day. That kind of connection sticks with you.

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The courses also suit me well. XTERRA bike courses are usually hillier and more technical, which I really enjoy. And the runs are on trails, where the slower cadence and unpredictable terrain tend to benefit stronger, more powerful runners like me—not necessarily the fastest ones. Coming from longer-distance trail running, that style of racing feels like home.

“The people I met at those early races—some of them I’m still friends with to this day. That kind of connection sticks with you.”

But more than anything, it just feels like an adventure. The locations are my favourite part—quiet, forested, and surrounded by nature. I’d rather be out in the woods than in the city, and XTERRA gives you that. You can hear the birds, feel the terrain, and race in some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.

You’ve raced Oak Mountain more than once—what keeps bringing you back?

I might be a little biased since it feels like my hometown race, but honestly, it’s just an incredible course. You’ve got a clean lake swim, a long dirt road climb on the bike, and some amazing singletrack before and after. Then there’s the run, which is almost entirely on singletrack too. It truly is one of the best XTERRA races.

In your eyes, what makes Oak Mountain a worthy host for the North American Championship?

It’s just an all-around great course. The swim takes place in a beautiful lake, and from there you head into the forest with some real elevation changes, plus roots, rocks, and plenty of technical trail. As athletes, we want a course that challenges us—and this one definitely does.

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The run mixes in climbs with some fast, flatter sections, but it still keeps you on your toes with roots and tight, twisting singletrack. You’re constantly weaving through the woods.

“As athletes, we want a course that challenges us—and this one definitely does.”

It’s got a little bit of everything, and it’s only a short drive from the city—but once you’re on the course, you’re surrounded entirely by hills and forest. Add in the XTERRA atmosphere, and it just has that special feel. It’s one of my favorite—and I think one of the most complete—XTERRA venues.

Beyond the course, what gives Oak Mountain its unique flavour as a race destination?

One of my favourite things about the South is the food—especially breakfast. There’s a spot called Big Bad Breakfast (BBB) where you can get all the Southern classics: biscuits, pancakes, eggs, the whole deal.

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Birmingham’s also become a great beer town in recent years, with some solid local breweries. So if you’re sticking around after the race, there’s plenty to explore, eat, and enjoy.

This year’s event will also mark the first-ever North American Youth Championship. What are your thoughts on that milestone?

I think it’s super cool. I remember riding my first mountain bike around the neighbourhood, and I wish I’d gotten involved in something like this earlier—but I’m glad to be part of it now.

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There’s already a really competitive youth scene here in the South. In Birmingham alone, there’s a mountain bike league with over 30 teams. So for XTERRA to bring in a Youth Championship, I think it’s going to take off. It’s a great decision—and a really good thing for the sport.

What are your thoughts on the World Championship returning to the U.S. in 2026?

I really enjoyed racing in Maui. It’s such a historic place, and I’m glad I had the chance to experience it. I’ve also raced in Molveno the past three years and really love that course—it suits me well.

That said, I think it’s great for the sport to keep rotating the World Championship. We’ve seen it work with the IRONMAN 70.3 Worlds, and I think it helps more people take part when the race comes closer to home. Travel can be a barrier, so this shift could boost participation and open doors for a lot of athletes.

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The town of Ruidoso seems really excited to host. I’ll be racing there this year, and I’m looking forward to seeing the venue in action before it becomes the World Championship course. I think it’s going to be an amazing event.

What has been your most memorable XTERRA adventure?

XTERRA Maui stands out for sure. It’s one of those races you hear about over and over—all the greats have done it. It’s iconic, and I’m really glad I had the chance to go.

After the race, I was staying at the hotel on-site and ended up in the hot tub... with Melanie McQuaid! That was a moment. I just remember thinking, “This is XTERRA—you can toe the line with an Olympian, shake their hand at the start, and at the end of the day everyone is still cheering everyone.” Everyone’s so down to earth. That kind of community is rare.

As the XTERRA North American Championship returns to Oak Mountain, it marks a defining moment for the continent’s off-road scene. New champions will be crowned, including the first-ever Youth Champions in North America—young athletes ready to etch their names beside some of the sport’s best in one of the most iconic venues in the region.

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Alongside the regional championship, the venue also sets the stage for the fourth stop of the XTERRA World Cup, drawing elite athletes from across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region for the next Full Distance battle and a livestreamed Short Track race.

From Oak Mountain, the season surges ahead through a packed calendar of XTERRA events across the Americas, with August marking the start of qualification for a new era of XTERRA World Championships in 2026—one that could see the rise of the next American World Champion, and the first since Josiah Middaugh claimed the crown in 2015.