14th XTERRA World Championships Comes To Makena

Makena Beach & Golf Resort will welcome the 14th XTERRA World Championship on October 25^th, 2009.  XTERRA comes to Makena, Maui, following an action-packed racing season that featured more than 100 events in 14 countries.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9li4Hsf4TUg[/youtube]

(Xterra Maui File Footage from 2008 10.26.08.   Highlights and interviews with winners. Produced by Wendy Osher and Frank W. Pulaski III. Written by Wendy Osher. Camera and Edited by Frank W. Pulaski III)

(File photo by Wendy Osher from 2008 XTERRA featuring athletes from dozens of countries and the mainland United States competing in the season’s most grueling course at Makena, Maui)

The XTERRA World Championship is the culmination of a series of races held around the globe.  Athletes from 23 countries and 36 U.S. states will be on Maui to take on XTERRA’s toughest and most grueling course, consisting of a 1.5-kilometer rough water swim at Makena Beach in front of Makena Beach & Golf Resort, a 30-kilometer mountain bike climb 3,000 feet up the lower slopes of Mt. Haleakala, and a 12-kilometer trail run.

Access to this legendary course is permitted only once a year.  Conditions change radically from year to year, diminishing the advantage to repeat competitors, and perpetuating the course’s stature as among the most intimidating in the series.  The field is limited to 550 competitors, who represent the best off-road, multi-sport athletes on the planet.

It is a “winner take all” race with one of the richest pro purses in multi-sport at $105,000 and the coveted title of XTERRA World Champion.  XTERRA will also air nationally as a one-hour sports special via national syndication.

Visitors and locals alike can get involved in the XTERRA action by joining in the XTERRA Makena Beach 5km and 10km Trail Runs, open to the public and scheduled for Saturday, October 24, at 8am, starting at the Makena Beach & Golf Resort.  The event benefits Big Brothers / Big Sisters of Maui County.

(Posted by Wendy Osher; Information provided by Makena Beach & Golf Resort Maui; Photos from 2008 event by Wendy Osher)