Off-road half-marathon "Xduro" and $10,000 prize purse for inaugural event
HONOLULU - (November 20, 2008) - XTERRA is known for its extreme, off-road trail runs and triathlons all over the world, but on Sunday, December 7th, they are finally bringing the adventure to Oahu. The inaugural XTERRA Trail Running World Championship, an adventurous off-road half-marathon, is just a week before the Honolulu Marathon on December 14 and is setting up what promises to be one of the "greatest weeks of running on Earth" for runners from across the world.
Set against the spectacular backdrop of Kualoa Ranch, this first-ever gathering of international trail runners will provide the ultimate Hawaiian experience for visitors and locals alike. Runners - no qualification is necessary - will have the choice to race in the championship 13.1 mile event, the 5K or 10K trail runs, or journey on the 5K adventure walk around the sets of productions such as Jurassic Park, Godzilla and LOST.
A star-studded field is already lined up and ready for their chance to be crowned an XTERRA Trail Running World Champion. The start list includes professional triathletes Danelle Kabush and Shonny Vanlandingham - this year's XTERRA World Championship 2nd and 3rd place finishers respectively - 2008 XTERRA Trail Run Nationals champ Max King, and Hawaii's own Amy Bennett, who raced in the 2007 XTERRA World Championship with a full arm cast.
Also competing is 15-year old Hunter Todd of Roseville, Calif. This 2007 XTERRA Trail Run Nationals age group silver medalist was born with a congenital heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot which consists of four distinct and serious malfunctions of the heart. With the help of his father Terry and a heart rate monitor, Hunter will be running to raise money for a local pediatric cardiac support group for parents called Kardiac Kids, of the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children in Honolulu.
THE COURSE
The World Championship course will start in Kaaawa Valley at Kualoa Ranch on the northeastern side of Oahu. Runners will navigate the length of the valley over the pu'u (connecting steep hill) and into Hakipu`u Valley. Runner's will round Hakipu'u Valley following Kamehameha Highway past Chinaman's Hat and back around and down into Kaaawa Valley again. Then a final lap around the compound area before runner's cross the finish line. Expect a balanced course of hills and flat valley trails with possible stream crossings and some tight, twisty sections that can only be described as uniquely XTERRA.
PRIZE MONEY AND AWARDS
The fastest runners in the half-marathon event will be racing for $10,000 in prize money - awarded to the top seven men and women as follows: $2000, $1000, $750, $500, $300, $250 and $200. XTERRA will also be crowning world champions in age groups starting at 9 & under, then every five years (e.g., 10-14, 15-19, and so on) all the way up to 80+ and the physically challenged divisions. Champs win a commemorative long-sleeve winners tee shirt and all racers get a short sleeve shirt and goody bag.
FEES, REGISTRATION AND PACKET PICK-UP
Online registration will close and mail-in entries must be received by Wednesday, December 3. Packet pick-up and walk up registration will take place on Friday, December 5th from 12-9:00pm and from 10am-6:00pm on Saturday, December 6th at the Fountain Stage on the Waikiki Beach Walk®. Runners can have lunch at one of the fine area restaurants and receive free parking. For directions and more information about the Waikiki Beach Walk®, visit www.waikikibeachwalk.com.
Early registration - go to www.xterratrailrun.com - is recommended. The first 400 athletes registered in the XTERRA Trail Running World Championship and the first 200 combined runners for the 5K and 10K events will be guaranteed an event t-shirt.
AID STATIONS
There will be several aid stations on the 13.1 mile course each featuring nutrition and hydration from our loyal sponsors GU Energy Gel and Gatorade.
5K / 10K AND KIDS SPRINT
Although not considered world championship races, XTERRA will also host a pair of fun and beautiful 5K and 10K trail runs. There will also be a fun walk through the movie sights, a free kids sprint, and the "XTERRA Kids Zone" filled with obstacle courses, a climbing net, balance beam and more.
TV TOO
The race will be filmed and edited into a segment for the 2009 XTERRA Adventures TV show that will be seen by millions of viewers across the country via national syndication and on the brand-new XTERRA.TV. Check out a preview for worlds at: XTERRA.TV.
Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director
(805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016
Ryan@RunningUSA.org
www.RunningUSA.org.
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