ARCHIVED RACE: XTERRA Oak Mt. Trail Run Marathon, Alabama, USA, May 21-22, 2011

Off-road triathlon’s biggest event of the year in Alabama – the XTERRA Southeast Championship – returns to Oak Mountain State Park in Shelby County (Pelham) May 21-22, 2011.

The main event combines a one-mile swim in Double Oak Lake with a grueling 20-mile mountain bike on the highly acclaimed Oak Mountain “red trail”, and a twisty, turny, up-and-down 10k off-road run.

XTERRA is the consummate individual challenge for outdoor adventure athletes – pulling competitors from triathlon, trail running, mountain biking and adventure racing.

The challenge lures professional athletes from around the world and amateurs from across the nation to Pelham, and the accompanying two-day XTERRA Sports Festival provides local athletes and outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to join in the fun.

The XTERRA Southeast Championship is the fourth of six regionals leading up to the XTERRA USA Championship in Utah, September 24. For the top 15 pro men and women, a $10,500 prize purse and points towards the overall series title will be awarded. Amateur athletes compete for the Southeast Champs age group titles, one of the 34 qualifying spots into the XTERRA World Championship in Maui, and for points in the XTERRA USA Championship Series.

Aside from the XTERRA Championship and half-distance XTERRA Sport off-road triathlons, there’s a 5km walk, 5km and 10km mud runs, a 21km off-road half-marathon, and new this year the XTERRA Oak Mountain trail marathon – 26 miles of single track trail running. At the expo participants will also find free clinics taught by pro athletes, corporate tents, demos, giveaways, music, and food.

Competitors, spectators, friends and family are encouraged to stay in one of the myriad of hotel offerings in Pelham for the weekend and take advantage of Oak Mountain State Park which serves as the ideal setting to run, mountain bike, go fishing, ride horses, or go golfing.

“This venue is the model for big XTERRA races,” said XTERRA Managing Director Dave Nicholas. “It’s the perfect spot for a family weekend and with all our competitors camping and hiking and enjoying the atmosphere together – it’s a one-of-a-kind experience.”