The 22nd annual Xterra USA Championship off-road triathlon will return to Beaver Creek Resort in conjunction with a community festival at Harry A. Nottingham Park in Avon, Colorado, on August 25–27, 2023.
Xterra will host full-distance, sprint, relay and beginner-friendly off-road triathlons along with trail runs and demo events. Other activities include kids races, yard games, exhibitors, food trucks, beer gardens and live music at the Harry A. Nottingham Park and Performance Pavilion.
“It’s an amazing venue, for both its natural beauty and world-class facilities and the support we receive from the community is incredible,” said Steve Andrus, Xterra U.S. tour manager. “We’re looking forward to building on the partnerships we established last year, and excited about our new date in August which provides us with more opportunities to engage with local partners and deliver a truly exceptional experience for participants.”
The main event will award $25,000 in prize money to professionals, plus Xterra USA Championship crowns to age group division winners, along with 51 qualifying spots into the 2023 Xterra World Championship to be held in Trentino, Italy.
While this will be Xterra’s 14th year of racing at Beaver Creek Resort, it is the second time Xterra has hosted its national championship in Colorado, following 12 seasons at Snowbasin Resort in Utah (2009–2021) and eight years in Incline Village, Nevada (2001–2008). The 2022 Xterra USA Championship also took place in Avon on July 15–16.
The challenge starts with a one-mile swim in Nottingham Lake, which sits at an elevation of 7,400 feet, followed with a 16-mile mountain bike trek, and finished with a six-mile trail run through the aspens and into the village square.
The weekend of events is supported by partners from the town of Avon, Beaver Creek Resort, US Forest Service, The Cycle Effect, and Walking Mountains Science Center.
“We enjoyed collaborating with Xterra and their use of Nottingham Lake and Park, and the Performance Pavilion really showcased Avon,” said Danita Dempsey, the culture, arts and special event manager for the town of Avon. “We are thrilled to have them back.”