XTERRA Ruidoso
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Event Overview
The XTERRA World Championship is a multi-day off-road triathlon and trail running event. It takes place from October 8 to October 11, 2026, in Ruidoso, New Mexico. The event is described as a high-altitude challenge celebrating 30 years of XTERRA. It features races for Elite, Age Group, and Youth divisions.
Location
The event is centered at Grindstone Lake Park, located at 501 Resort Drive in Ruidoso. Celebration activities are also held at Wingfield Park.
Races and Activities
The event includes several championship races:
- XTERRA World Championship Full Distance Triathlon (October 10): An off-road triathlon with a 1.5 km swim, a 27 km bike, and a 10 km run.
- XTERRA World Championship Trail Run (October 9): A 5 km trail run open to the public.
- XTERRA World Championship Sprint Triathlon (October 11): An off-road triathlon with a 750 m swim, a 14 km bike, and a 6 km run. This serves as the Youth World Championship.
- XTERRA World Championship Super Sprint Triathlon (October 11): An off-road triathlon with a 400 m swim, a 7 km bike, and a 3 km run. This also serves as the Youth World Championship.
In addition to the races, the schedule includes an opening ceremony, community course sessions, guided hikes, yoga sessions, an expo, an awards ceremony, and an after-party.
Event Details
A USA Triathlon license is required for all multi-sport athletes; a one-event license can be purchased during registration. The event offers a volunteer program. Partial refunds are available for the full triathlon until August 31, 2026. The water temperature at Grindstone Lake has historically been around 63-64°F (17-18°C) in early October. Parking is available at Wingfield Park and Grindstone Lake, with a free shuttle service operating on Saturday. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
