USA Championship

*Schedule Tentative

Friday, September 18

Opening Festivities in downtown Ogden @ Ogden’s Amphitheater Park (corner 25th/Grant)

Saturday, September 19 - XTERRA TRIATHLON at Snowbasin Resort

Sunday, September 20 - XTERRA TRAIL RUNNING at Snowbasin Resort

Course Maps

Championship – 1.5k swim / 28k mountain bike / 10k trail run
Sprint – 750m swim / 19.6km mountain bike / 5km trail run

AID STATIONS

One bike aid station for all divisions (Mile 4).
Four run aid stations for full course. (Miles 1, 3, 4.5)
Two run aid stations for sprint course. (Miles 1 and 2)

Bike aid station will have water and Gatorade Endurance in bike bottles. All run aid stations will have water and Gatorade Endurance in cups. We are serving the Gatorade Endurance Formula which contains no artificial flavors or sweeteners.

PRE-RIDING / PRACTICE PARKING

There is no parking at Port Ramp Marina during the week.Please park at the Wheeler Canyon trailhead or at Snowbasin and coast down to the bottom of Wheeler Canyon trailhead to begin riding.

QUICK STATS

Swim course distance: One 1,500-meter lap  – Sprint course is one 750m lap.
Elevation at Port Ramp Marina for swim start:  4,900-feet
Water temperature: TBA, expected to be in the 65-degree range
Mountain bike course distance: 28-kilometers (17.7 miles) – Sprint 19.6-kilometers (12.2 miles)
Total climbing on bike: 3,400-feet Championship and 2,300-feet for the Sprint course
Elevation at highest point: 7,300-feet (where Sardine Peak Trail meets the ridge-line)
Elevation at T2/Snowbasin Resort Lodge: 6,400-feet
Trail Run course distance: 10-kilometers (6.2 miles) – Sprint 5.8km (3.6 miles)
Total climbing on run: 700-feet
Total climbing on course: 4,100-feet

DESCRIPTION

For the full tour, let’s start from the beginning when the cannon blast signals the start of the XTERRA Pan American / USA Championship race.

More than 300 professional and amateur racers from more than 40 states will take off from Port Ramp Marina all-at-once for a 1500-meter swim in Pineview Reservoir, where water temps hover near the “wetsuit-required” range (Competitor note: a final determination on if this will be a wetsuit legal or optional swim will not be made until the water temperature is read on race morning, so be prepared). 

Once on the bike racers leave the swim-to-bike transition (T1) and head west towards the Wheeler Canyon trail head for the 28K mountain bike section. (Competitor note: The first 1.5 miles is on Highway 158, a major road. Ride on the shoulder inside the delineators that will be placed to separate racers from traffic.  The Utah Department of Transportation has said we cannot ride in the traffic lanes.  Stay inside the delineators.  We will assess a minimum of a two-minute penalty to riders caught outside of the lane delineators, and should the police handling traffic stop you, your race is done. When pre-riding we encourage you to park and start at Wheeler Canyon trail head to avoid the road).

OK, now to the fun part. It starts with mild, steady climbs on dirt, rock, and root-ridden mountain trails that climb through the magnificent Wheeler slot canyon.  The trail pops out at the Art Nord trailhead where riders cross old Snowbasin road and climb up the East Fork trail, then drop down into some speedy descents to the Middle Fork trail, go across old Snowbasin road one more time and connect with the Wheeler Creek Trail.  Single track dominates this 10-mile stretch and elevation gains from the water at 4,900-feet to about 7,000-feet before a descent on Middle Fork trail shoots you back down.

The Wheeler Creek Trail then meets Sardine Peak trail.  Here riders are in for some more climbing that will take them to the ridgeline, rewarding their efforts with spectacular views of Pineview Reservoir to the right, and Snowbasin to the left.

More wide-open vistas of Ogden Canyon lay ahead before the downhill onto Maples trail speeds riders through a meadow filled with wildflowers and back to the bike-to-run transition at the Snowbasin lodge area where spectators will have the chance to see their friends and family coming in.

SPRINT course bikers stay on Wheeler Creek trail to the junction of Maples trail. Take a left onto Maples trail and in one mile their running shoes will be waiting for them at T2.

The Sprint Bike course is 12.2 miles in length and has an overall elevation gain of approximately 2,300ft. It is not considered a super technical bike course but does have some rocky sections and tight downhill switchbacks.

On to the trail run, the 6.1-mile championship trail run is pure singletrack minus a wide section coming out of transition that takes runners to the start of Green Pond trail.  The 10K single-loop run zigzags its way through aspen groves and fields of wildflowers.  There are a few short, very steep uphill’s and about 700-feet of climbing then descending before the jubilation of finishing in front of loads of spectators, cameramen, and a live band jamming away right on the bricks of the fabulous Snowbasin Resort. Sprint runners break off at mile 1 and continue on their 5.8km (3.6 mile) loop before descending into the finish.

(Competitor Note: Headphones, headsets, earbuds, walkmans, iPods, mp3 players or any personal audio device are not to be carried or worn at any time during the race. Bike or run.  Variable time penalty for infraction).

*Course is subject to change

TRANSITION AREAS

• Transition areas will be open at 6:30am.
• ALLOW PLENTY OF TIME TO SET UP TWO TRANSITIONS (at least 2 hours) AND GET TO THE RACE START.
  Note: Athletes should carry their bikes from the parking area to T1 to avoid Utah wild thorns called “goat heads” from puncturing tires.
• Race start and T1 (Swim to Bike) are at Port Marina, Pineview Reservoir.
• Race finish and T2 (Bike to Run) are at Snowbasin.
• ALTHOUGH THERE IS PLENTY OF PARKING AT PORT MARINA, THERE WILL BE INTERMITTENT ROAD CLOSURES AT THE PINEVIEW SPILLWAY as bikers cross the road into Wheeler Canyon.
• TO AVOID DELAYS OR MISSING YOUR START, WE RECOMMEND YOU PARK YOUR CAR AT THE SNOWBASIN FINISH AND TAKE THE FREE SHUTTLE TO THE RACE START.

Help the community reduce GOAT HEAD BURRS
Those of you who have raced before, understand that goathead burrs can pierce tires and ruin your race before you start…Snowbasin and Weber Pathways have been working tirelessly to eradicate the weed from the area around the Port Ramp Marina area, but they are still there.  We ask that you check your bikes and shoes and if you find them – bag and trash them.  Don’t drop them on the ground so they can continue to be a problem.

TRANSITION BAGS

• Transition bags will be provided at packet pickup/registration for use at T1. Write your race number BIG on both sides of the bag.
• After your swim leg, put your wetsuit and swim gear in your bag and close it up. We will deliver it to T2. If your gear is not placed in your bag and your bag is not tightly closed, we are not responsible for getting your gear back to you.
• You or a representative, must present your race number to pickup your transition bag at T2.

SUGGESTED SET-UP

• Drive to T1 and set-up your swim/bike transition. Your bike will be secure at T1. Swim cap, timing chip distribution and body marking are at T1.
• Drive your car to Snowbasin, park and set-up T2 (bike/run transition).
• Take the shuttle back to the start. The first shuttle leaves Snowbasin at 6:30am. The last shuttle for XTERRA USA Championship and XTERRA Utah athletes leaves Snowbasin at 8:20am. You may also have someone drive you, as there is parking at the marina.

ROAD CLOSURES AT PINEVIEW SPILLWAY

• There will be intermittent road closures at Pineview Spillway 9:25-11am.
• We recommend Pineview – Snowbasin traffic during those hours turn right from the marina and take the alternate route through Huntsville (166 and 158) – Continue on 158 to Eden, follow 166 past Huntsville. Turn left on 167 and right on 226.

BIKE SHOPS / BIKE RENTALS

The following shops are available for bike rentals, bike shipping and all your wrenching needs.

SKYLINE CYCLE – OFFICIAL BIKE TECH

Located in the historic Miller Ski & Bike Häus at 834 Washington Boulevard, Ogden, Utah. Full service bike shop.
www.skylinecyclery.com
NOTE: No Bike Rentals

OTHER SHOPS / BIKE RENTALS

• The Bike Shoppe
• Biker’s Edge
• Bingham Cyclery
• Snowbasin Resort

TRAIN WITH WHAT’S ON COURSE

Lemon-lime Gatorade Endurance Formula will be available on course at all aid stations. Endurance Formula has nearly two times the sodium and three times the potassium of traditional Gatorade. Newly reformulated, it now contains no artificial flavors or sweeteners and a new, lighter flavor.

USAT Swimming Conduct 

4.1 Permissible Strokes. Swimmers may use any stroke to propel themselves through the water and may tread water or float.

4.2 Bottom Contact and Resting. A participant may stand on the bottom or rest by holding an inanimate object such as a buoy, boat, rope or floating object. Excluding the bottom, a participant shall not use any inanimate object to gain forward progress. A violation of this section shall result in a variable time penalty, unless the Head Referee in his/her sole discretion determines that (i) the violation was substantial and resulted in an unfair time advantage, or (ii) the violation constituted endangerment under Section 3.4(1).

4.3 Emergencies. A swimmer experiencing difficulty and in need of assistance shall raise an arm overhead, and pump it up and down, and call or seek assistance. A swimmer, who has received official assistance, whether voluntary or involuntary, must retire and withdraw from the remainder of the race unless such assistance did not aid the swimmer in making forward progress. No swimmer shall return to the race if the official rendering assistance requests that the participant withdraw from the race or receive medical assistance.

4.4 Wet suits. Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wet suit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit. The wetsuit policy for elite athletes shall be determined by the USAT Athletes Advisory Council. The AAC has set the wetsuit maximum temperature for elite athletes at 68 degrees for swim distances less than 3000 meters and 71.6 degrees for distances of 3000 meters or greater. Any swimmer wearing a wetsuit with a thickness measured in any part greater than 5 millimeters shall be disqualified.

4.5 Notice of Wet Suit Policy. The wet suit policy for any particular race shall be included on all race literature that is intended for distribution to potential participants. The wet suit policy shall conform to Section 4.4, unless a change is granted in compliance with Section 1.4. The wet suit policy on such literature shall include the following information, if applicable; a. Any changes from Section 4.4; b. Any specific restrictions on equipment; c. Any disparity between the wet suit policy for age group athletes and the policy for elite athletes.

4.6 Measuring Water Temperature. It is recommended, but not required that the water temperature for a race be finally determined by a measurement made within 2 hours of the race start. A water temperature measurement should also be taken prior to any pre-race meetings in order to forecast to the athletes as early as possible the likely water temperature on race day and the likelihood of whether wet suits will be allowed on race day.

4.7 Official Equipment. If provided by race management, a swimmer shall wear the proper official swim cap corresponding to his wave. The penalty for an infraction of this rule is a variable time penalty. For safety reasons if no official cap is provided, all swimmers should wear their own brightly colored swim cap.

4.8 Goggles. Swimmers may wear, but shall not be required to wear, swim goggles or face masks.

4.9 Illegal Equipment. Any swimmer wearing any artificial propulsion device, including but not limited to fins, gloves, paddles, or floating devices of any kind shall be disqualified.

Note: Water temperatures can fluctuate day to day. Water temperature will be taken on race morning and a determination as to wetsuit use will be made at that time.  BRING YOUR WETSUIT!!

• The XTERRA USA Championship race in Utah will offer $25,000 USD for the race and distribute an additional $50,000 USD in prize money to the top 10 men and women in the final XTERRA North American Pro Series rankings.
• Age groupers battle for 51 slots to the World Championship

2020 Non-U.S.A. Elite Athlete Prize Money Policy:

You will be contacted by TEAM Unlimited via email to complete a US Government W-8BEN form.  When we receive your W-8BEN, we will issue prize money via bank wire to your account.

We will withhold 30% of total 2020 prize money paid over treaty limits specified in IRS Publication 901 (find your country starting on page 2 – Personal Services Income – and clause related to athlete limitations).  If your country is not listed, we will withhold 30%.

You may file for a refund of 2020 withholdings on IRS 2020 Form 1040NR by April 15, 2021.  Business expenses may be deducted.  Review the instructions and/or seek tax advice.