This article relies on references to primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject, rather than references from independent authors and third-party publications. Please add citations from reliable sources. (April 2009)

XTERRA is a series of off-road triathlon races, (three-sport races which include swimming, mountain biking, and trail running). The XTERRA Global Tour is owned and produced by TEAM Unlimited. The XTERRA race series is the best-known series of off-road triathlons, and is considered by most to be the de-facto world championship of the sport.^{[citation needed]}

It began in 1996 on the island of Maui as the Aquaterra, and was later renamed the XTERRA. The Nissan Motor Corporation named their popular sport utility vehicle line after the race and was the race series' primary sponsor for many years. The two companies parted ways at the end of 2006.

  Organization

The XTERRA has two primary divisions, professional and "age-groupers". In the professional division athletes compete for cash prizes and sponsorships. The age-group division was created for those who still want to compete but have no aspirations to become professional athletes. Both divisions compete in a points series, where athletes accumulate points by placing in the top fifteen positions of any race in which they compete.

Several events known as XTERRA Championships Series offer more points due to their larger draws. In the United States, there are championships for each region of the country. These venues also offer a "sport" version of the race where contestants complete races that are typically half the distance of the full version.

  Race format

As an off-road race, the distances can vary widely depending on the terrain available. The target distances are as follows:

• Championship/pro: 1.5 km swim, 30 km mountain biking, 11 km trail run
• Sport: 500 m swim, 15 km mountain biking, 5 km trail Run

In the United States the sport distances are often used as miles yielding a 1/2 mile (805 m) swim, 15 mile (24 km) mountain bike, and a 5-mile (8-km) trail run.

  XTERRA pro triathletes

Men

• Franky Batelier
• Hamish Carter
• Dan Hugo
• Nicolas Lebrun
• Olivier Marceau
• Peter Reid
• Conrad Stoltz
• Michael Weiss
• Jim Thijs
• Eneko Llanos
• Lance Armstrong

Women

• Julie Dibens
• Eszter Erdelyi
• Marion Lorblanchet
• Melanie McQuaid
• Cindi Toepel
• Shonny Vanlandingham
• Jaime Whitmore
• Helena Erbenová

  See also

• Duathlon
• Triathlon

  External links

• Official XTERRA Website