For many XTERRA athletes, August 26th will be one of the last chances to qualify for six direct qualifying spots to the XTERRA World Championships in Maui. Athletes can also still qualify at XTERRA Sweden, XTERRA Japan, and the XTERRA European Championships.

XTERRA Sleeping Giant in Thunder Bay, Ontario will offer a full off-road triathlon, a sprint triathlon, a duathlon, and two trail runs.

XTERRA Sleeping Giant Off-Road Triathlons
“This will not be your grandma’s triathlon,” said race director, James Kowalewski. “No busy paved highways and weedy dark lakes here.”

Instead, the swim will be held in the clean, clear, spring-fed Marie Louise Lake.

“From there, the race enters the contrast between the beauty and the beast,” added Kowalewski. “The beauty belongs to the flowy, grassy mountain bike trail. The beast belongs to the technical run.”

The mountain bike course is intended to be a fast ride and will open up to enable passing in some sections. The run will head through forest canopies, over creeks, and over vistas of Lake Superior.

The full-length triathlon includes a 1k, double-lap swim, a 24k, two-loop bike course, and a 17k out and back run.

The sprint consists of a 500m, one-lap swim, a single 12k loop of the mountain bike course, and a 6k trail run.

Duathlon
If the water seems a bit too chilly, the XTERRA Sleeping Giant duathlon will consist of a 2k run, the full 24k mountain bike course, and a 17k run.

Trail Run
If running is more your thing, you can choose between two races. The 7k will be held on a nature trail, while the 21k will include more technical sections.

You can view course maps at www.elementracing.ca.

Because the race is held at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, there is plenty of space to camp and explore the old mining town of Silver Islet right on the shores of Lake Superior.  Most homes are converted cottages, but the history is still deeply engrained.

You can register for XTERRA Sleeping Giant at www.elementracing.ca.

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