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XTERRA Oak Mountain Isn’t Just for Fast People

If you want to see some of the best triathletes in the world, come see the pros race in the XTERRA Oak Mountain on Saturday, May 20th.

But if you want to see some of the best future triathletes in the world, then come a bit earlier in the day for the XTERRA Xticer. Designed as an introduction to off-road racing for beginners, the Xticer consists of a 200-meter lake swim, a 10K mountain bike, and a 2K trail run.

“Most people come to XTERRA after they are already mountain biking or trail running or competing in triathlons,” said Janet Clark, President, XTERRA. “The Xticer eliminates the fear of the unknown and gives beginners a chance to see that XTERRA is absolutely for everyone. You will have so many people supporting you at an XTERRA race, whether it’s a volunteer on the course or a pro who shows you how to fix a flat.”

Last year Xticer welcomed athletes from 9 to 58 years old.

“People typically try triathlons later in life than other sports such as soccer, track, or lacrosse,” said Clark. “When you’re five and kicking a soccer ball, no one expects you to be good. But when we are thirty and trying something new, we put all this pressure on ourselves. We created the Xticer so that beginners can relax, feel safe, and have a blast.”

Between the Xticer and the XTERRA Oak Mountain Full Course, an XTERRA Sprint will offer newcomers and beginners a less demanding race on the same award-winning trails the pros race on. The course consists of a 750m swim, a 15km mountain bike, and a 4.5km trail run.

The day before the Xticer, the XTERRA Sprint, and the XTERRA Oak Mountain Full Course, XTERRA University offers all competitors a chance to take in last-minute advice from the 2015 XTERRA World Champ, Josiah Middaugh, and his brother, the 2017 XTERRA Blackwater Champ, Yaro Middaugh.

“I’ve always enjoyed working with kids and beginners and challenging them to try something they weren’t sure they could achieve,” said Yaro Middaugh, who was an elementary school teacher for 15 years before turning to coaching full time.

Paula and Jay Davis entered their three sons – now aged 13, 11, and 10 – in the XTERRA Xticer last year on a whim. “The kids were like, ‘Sure, we’ll try it.’ They were really excited about swimming in a lake and running in the woods,” said Paula.

Paula also enrolled her children in XTERRA University day before the race. “They were so excited to get to meet the pros,” said Paula. “And the Middaugh brothers were great in telling the kids it was OK to get off the bike and walk. My boys took that to heart.”

The post XTERRA Oak Mountain Isn’t Just for Fast People appeared first on XTERRA.

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