XTERRA Trail Run World Champs: The Return to Sugarloaf Mt.

It feels like little more than a blink of an eye since Mason Coppi and Caitlin Patterson were crowned King and Queen of the Mountain in the Full Marathon at the 2023 XTERRA Trail Run World Champs, while Rachel Tomajczyk and Andy Wacker took top honours in the Half. It was the first qualification-only Trail Run World Championship in XTERRA history and the first to be held outside of Hawaii, with the trails of Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine, USA, setting the stage for the finale of a series that had united the entire XTERRA Trail Run Community. Runners from 19 countries took to the starting line, these names now forever etched in history as the 2023 Trail Run World Champions.

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Yet no sooner had the championship dust settled than the long run back to Sugarloaf Mountain began, with runners taking to the trails around the globe to earn their place on the starting line.

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The 2024 Trail Run World Series first got moving in South Africa’s Elgin Valley before heading to opposite sides of the world—first to the rugged coastal paths of Wellington, New Zealand, and then to the dusty desert trails of Arizona, USA. Up in the northern hemisphere, Taiwan hosted the first regional championship of the year, where the raw, tropical terrain of Kenting National Park crowned the 2024 APAC Trail Run Champions.

With the APAC Champs in the rearview, the series shifted to the vibrant landscapes of Puerto Rico, while runners in continental Europe took to the sun-kissed trails along the Mediterranean Sea at XTERRA Trail des Balcons d’Azur. The series then made its way to the unforgivingly steep mountain trails of Chile before heading way down under to explore the iconic ocean-side paths of Dunsborough in Southwest Australia.

Next, the series reached Gozo Island in Malta, where runners lined the ancient cliffs in a full circumnavigation of the Mediterranean island. In Tahiti, they raced through jungles and volcanic landscapes, while Colombia offered lung-busting, high-altitude trails in the Andes. South Dakota’s Black Hills presented rolling terrain and pine forests, contrasting with Brazil’s dense rainforest paths before the series took to the technical singletrack of Pemberton, Canada.

The legendary trails of the Pyrenees featured twice in the final three stops of the 2024 series—first in Spain’s Vall de Boí, before Arinsal, Andorra, had the honour of deciding the 2024 class of European Trail Run Champions. Between the two, the rocky and unpredictable paths of Snowdonia in Wales served as the final stretch on the long road back to Sugarloaf Mountain.

Having crossed ridges, valleys, rivers, and deserts, the Trail Run World Series now returns to Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine, USA, with a fresh set of qualifiers ready to battle it out for the title of 2024 XTERRA Trail Run Champion. 

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This year, athletes from 28 different nations will step up to the starting line. The host country, the USA, will once again have the largest contingent, followed by neighbouring Canada, with Colombia taking third place in representation after hosting its first-ever XTERRA event this year. Participants will also come from as far afield as China, Vietnam, and French Polynesia in the APAC region, as well as Belgium, Switzerland, and South Africa in EMEA.

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As of 2023, the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship now features both a Marathon and Half Marathon championship race. At stake is a $10,000 prize purse for the top three overall finishers in each distance, and a Trail Run World Championship crown for the first finisher in each age division. 

With 2023 raising the bar and setting a new standard for the event, the 2024 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship promises to be a three-day celebration of the sport and the global trail running community. Taking place over the extended Labor Day weekend, the event will kick off on Friday, August 30th, with a community run led by local trail-running heroes. On Saturday, the future stars will take to the trails in the Kids’ Sprint and the 8K Trail Run. Finally, Sunday will feature the main events as the World Championship Marathon and Half Marathon runners lead the charge through the mountain trails, followed by the open category races, where participants can experience the world-class trails of Sugarloaf Mountain. 

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Local bands will play throughout the three-day festival to add local flavour, with the event culminating in a community-driven ‘Dinner of Champions’ to honour every runner who earned their place to compete with the World’s best.

The 2024 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship Trail Marathon is an epic 42K adventure through some of the most challenging and scenic trails in Maine. The race kicks off under the XTERRA Arch on Main Street in Sugarloaf Village, with an open first kilometre to spread out the field. From there, runners quickly hit the steep, rocky 355 trail, ascending 750 metres in the first 5K to reach the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain. This initial climb sets the tone for a course that boasts a total elevation gain of 1,500 metres.

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After summiting, runners enjoy a brief 1K descent before traversing Sugarloaf Mountain and venturing into unfamiliar terrain, including a climb up Burnt Mountain—a new feature in this year’s course. The rugged descent that follows leads to the rolling trails of the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center, where the Half Marathon course splits off. Full marathoners then tackle a steady 4K climb to the Stratton Brook Hut at the 28K mark, followed by a winding descent back to the Carrabassett River.

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The final stretch reconnects with the Half Marathon course at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center, where a mix of singletrack and wider paths guide runners to the finish line and the celebration on Main Street.

The Half Marathon at the 2024 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship offers 22K of Maine’s finest trail running, combining flowing speed with the raw beauty of Sugarloaf Mountain. Following close on the heels of those taking on the Full Marathon, the race begins on Main Street in Sugarloaf Village, with the first kilometre allowing the field to spread out ahead of the steep 355 trail where the pace of runners will vary. The initial 5K climb gains 750 metres in elevation, culminating in a breathtaking summit view before a 1K descent and a traverse across Sugarloaf Mountain.

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At the 7.5K mark, runners venture into rugged terrain on a freshly built trail for the event this year that leads to The Golden Road and up Burnt Mountain, before descending into the rolling trails of the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center. At the 17K mark, the course diverges from the Marathon route, leading half-marathoners around the serene moose pond and up a mix of singletrack and wider paths.

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The race concludes back in Sugarloaf Village, where finishers will be greeted by the vibrant atmosphere and the 2024 class of Half Marathon World Champions will be crowned.

Women’s Half Marathon

Corey Dowe (USA) returns to Sugarloaf Mountain again this year after a strong third-place finish in the 2023 Half Marathon. A native of North Conway, New Hampshire, Dowe is well known in the community for her ability to tackle steep ascents and technical descents, skills that will serve her well on this course. Having podiumed here once before, she starts as a strong contender to find the top step of the podium this year.

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Abigail Bennett (USA), from Jackson, New Hampshire, brings a strong familiarity for the local trails and a passion for uphill segments. While she’s relatively new to the XTERRA scene, Bennett’s familiarity with the regional terrain and the knowledge she brings from last year’s race could make for an interesting race up front.

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Alicia Cutter (USA) enters her first XTERRA Trail Run World Championship fresh off her Fastest Known Time (FKT) achievement on the Blue Hills Skyline Trail in Massachusetts. Clearly no stranger to endurance and grit, Cutter enters as the wild card favourite to be the next reigning champ.

Men’s Half Marathon 

Remi Leroux (Canada) comes in with strong international experience, having placed well in various mountain running events, including an 8th place finish at the Broken Arrow Skyrace 23K in 2024. Part of the large Canadian contingency looking to get their hands on a World Championship crown, Leroux leads the pack of top contenders.

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Christopher Levesque Savard (Canada) is a returning runner to the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship. With his experience in past XTERRA events, he has shown consistent strength in trail running, particularly in technical sections. His familiarity with the course and the race atmosphere could give him an edge needed to take a crown back with him to Canada.

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Corey Woltering (USA) is a well-known ultra-runner with a diverse background in long-distance races. His endurance and speed across various terrains make him a serious threat in this shorter, intense half marathon format.

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Women’s Full Marathon

Caitlin Patterson (USA) returns as the defending Trail Run World Champion, having claimed the World Champs title in the 2023 Full Marathon. With an impressive track record in both trail and cross-country skiing, Patterson’s endurance and mental toughness make her a strong favourite to defend her crown and extend her reign as World Champion.

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Shea Aquilano (USA) is an emerging talent in the trail running scene. While she may not have the experience of her competitors, Aquilano’s recent performances have demonstrated her potential to compete at the highest level. Her youthful energy and drive could be the key to securing a podium finish.

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Lila Gaudrault (USA) is another rising star from Maine who excels in mountainous terrains. Gaudrault’s familiarity with the local environment and her recent strong finishes in regional races position her as a serious contender. Her strength on steep climbs and speed on flatter trails will be key as she pushes for her spot on the podium this year.

Men’s Full Marathon

Grant Colligan (USA) is a formidable presence in the trail running community, known for his impressive wins in various mountain races. Colligan’s experience and strategic approach to long-distance trail running make him a strong favourite for the marathon. His ability to handle tough ascents and technical descents will be crucial on the challenge as he looks to add an XTERRA World Championship title to his list of achievements.

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Galen Hecht (USA) brings a blend of speed and stamina, with a background in both trail and ultra-running. Hecht’s recent performances in rugged, high-altitude races have showcased his ability to endure and excel in challenging conditions, setting the stage for a competitive race up front.

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Mead Binhammer (USA) is an up-and-coming talent with a passion for challenging trails. Though newer to the XTERRA scene, Binhammer’s strong finishes in regional races have marked him as a runner to watch. His determination and ability to adapt to the unpredictable nature of trail running could see him emerge as a dark horse in this race.

As the second chapter of a two-part story, the 15th edition of the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship will be the last to be held on Sugarloaf Mountain as XTERRA continues its commitment to rotate its championship events every 2-3 years. 

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Once the 2024 Trail Run World Champions have been crowned in Sugarloaf, it will be the mystical trials of Snowdonia, Wales, that will be the next to carry the torch. Only the 3rd destination to hold the honour of hosting the event, the 16th edition of the XTERRA Trail Run world Championship is scheduled to be held from July 11-12, 2025.

For all the action from the World Champs event in Maine, USA, make sure you’re following the XTERRA Trail Run IG account, and be sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel to get notified for new video content. 

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And for those looking for their place on the starting line at the 2025 World Champs, the road to Snowdonia has already begun. The 2024 edition of the XTERRA Snowdonia Trail Marathon event was the first of the opening qualifying races, with the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship set to be the next race to offer slots for the lucky few who will race back-to-back World Championships, seeing the end of one era and the beginning of the next.