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50 races, 15 states, 8 countries, lots of dirt
HONOLULU - (February 13, 2008) - XTERRA is at it again in 2008, offering athletes the chance to prove they have what it takes to run their way to the top with more than 50 trail runs of varying distances across the country and around the world.
The U.S. XTERRA Trail Run Series is broken down into 10 regions - Southern and Northern California, Oregon, Utah, Philadelphia, Chicago, Georgia, Chesapeake Bay, Tennessee and New England.
Each region will host 3-to-7 races during the course of the year and the top 10 finishers in each age group division at each race earn points. The top points scorers at the end of the year are crowned regional champions and earn free entry into the XTERRA Trail Running National Championship on September 27.
Race distances range from 5-23 kilometers, providing a wide-range of challenges for athletes eager to prove their dominance in the world of trail running.
New in '08 is the "Xduro", an endurance trail run with a physical challenge parallel to that of a road marathon but with Mother Nature along for the ride. Some Xduro's will be off-road half-marathons, some may be 18K or even 23K, but one thing is certain - each one will serve up a buffet of obstacles the road just doesn't offer like navigating through dirt pathways, dodging boulders, leaping over roots, clambering up hills that make your calves cry and skating down valleys that allow runners to survey some of the most scenic vistas in the world.
"XTERRA is thrilled with the growth of its Trail Running Series launched two years ago, and we think the longer distance focus will push it to whole new extreme in terms of participation and challenge," said Janet Clark, President of TEAM Unlimited / XTERRA. "XTERRA Trail Runs give runners an opportunity to explore some wildly natural environments and challenge themselves on diverse and unique terrains from roots and rocks, to stream crossings and mud sloshing."
More than a dozen Xduro runs across the U.S. and several more around the globe will ready runners for the ultimate Hawaiian experience - the XTERRA Trail Running World Championship at Kualoa Ranch on the island of Oahu on December 7 (just one week before the Honolulu Marathon).
It is not required that an athlete qualify to run in either the National or World Championship races, however, those who do will receive special recognition and privileges come race day. To qualify, racers simply need to finish any Xduro 18-23K race in less than three hours.
Along the way XTERRA Trail Runs will give back to the community by involving not-for-profits as beneficiaries at the events.
For the 2008 schedule, to learn more or to register, visit: XTERRAtrailrun.com.
Contact: Emily McIlvaine, (808) 792-2611 or emily@xterraplanet.com.
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.
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