2017 XTERRA Worlds – XTERRA Kapalua Trail Run

The XTERRA Kapalua Trail Run was a celebration of speed and dirt for group of competitors that came from 45 countries and several Hawaiian islands. 

Held a day before the 22nd XTERRA World Championship, the runners included top trail runners as well as family and friends of those competing in the XTERRA World Championship off-road triathlon. 

The trail runs included the Leilani’s XTERRA 3.3K, the Hula Grill XTERRA Kapalua 5K, and the Duke’s XTERRA Kapalua 10K.

Duke’s XTERRA Kapalua 10K
In the Duke’s XTERRA Kapalua 10K, Marc Costa from Santpedor, Spain was the champ, winning the challenging race in 44:04. Joris Genevois from France was second in 46:07. 

“It was very hot,” said Costa, who is here with his brother Ricard, who is doing the XTERRA Championship tomorrow. “It’s a tough course. I like to climb and there wasn’t a lot of climbing on the course. It was very short and steep hills and harder to find a rhythm.” 

Joris Genevois does not speak English, but it was clear that he echoed Costa’s sentiments about the race in terms of the sun and the course. Pablo Ureta from Argentina was third in 46:25. Ureta is also competing in the Outrigger Resorts Double, which is given annually to the elite and amateur man and woman with the fastest combined XTERRA World Championship and Ironman Hawaii Championship time. He said that he was taking it easy but he still finished with a very respectable time given his endurance event tomorrow. 

The women’s race came down to the wire, where Malia Crouse from Maui outkicked Georgia Nesbitt from Tasmania in the final uphill slope to the finish. Crouse and Nesbitt finished in 47:38 and 47:47, respectively.  

Crouse, a former triathlete still cross-trains but has focused her attention on running as she is training for the Honolulu Marathon in December. Last year, she was third at the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship, finishing behind elite runner Polina Carlson and Caroline Veltri. 

“I had so much fun out there,” said Crouse about today’s race. I just love that course.” 

She turned to Nesbitt, a rower, and complimented her on her blistering pace. 

“I just tried to settle into it,” said Nesbitt, who has been in gold-medal winning boats as a member of the Rowing Australia team. “I tried to stay steady going up the hills, but I liked going down the hills a bit better.” 

In third was Nadine Nicolas from Canmore, Canada. Nicolas was the 35-39 age group XTERRA World Champ in the off-road triathlon in Maui in 2014. 

“I love training,” said Nicolas, “But I don’t like racing as much because I get too nervous. But every so often I like doing a race to stay motivated.” 

Christy Fritts, who is recovering from an artificial disc replacement surgery, won her 45-49 age group in the 10K as well, finishing in 57:44. 

“I really wanted to do the triathlon tomorrow, especially because I felt so good out there today,” said Fritts. “But I need to be careful and keep healing.” 

Hula Grill XTERRA Kapalua 5K

In the Hula Grill XTERRA Kapalua 5K, Hans Kohler finished first in 21:53. Kohler, who lives in Maui, is not a runner.

“I ran the course twice before and rode it once,” said Kohler, who prefers surfing to the trails. “It was hot out there but I ran as hard as I can. I’ve always been able to run.”

Ka’eo Keomaka from Kula, Hawaii won both the 10-14 age group and finished second overall for the men in the 5K. Tommy Morwood, an off-road triathlete from Sydney, Australia was third in 22:23.  

“The trail runs are super technical with a good mix of short steep hills and twisty single track to the top,” said Morwood. “Down the hill, you run on really fast single track that’s cut into the side of the mountain. You also have to navigate five or six trees on the trail that you can vault over or scurry under. The toughest part of the race is the ultra- steep, concrete hill that turns away from the beach about two kilometers from the finish. Then you bust your calves on the sand and head uphill to the finish.” 

Family and friends of athletes competing in tomorrow’s race performed well in both races. Lesley Paterson’s mother, Fiona Paterson, competed in the 5K, and was all business in the finishing chute, discussing her race with her daughter. 

Lizzie Orchard’s mother, Annette Orchard from Auckland, won her age group (60-64) in the 10K, and Emma Garrard’s family cleaned up, with David Garrard from Great Britain winning his age group (70-74) and Dick Garrard finishing third in his (65-69). Charlotte Mann, who will be here to support Deanna McCurdy tomorrow won her 70-74 age group, and Nathaniel Grew, who is here to cheer on his best friend, Ron Hill, was the first and only 80-84 male in the race. 

“If you love it, there is no reason to stop,” said Grew from the podium. “Dave DeSantis and Ron Hill taught me that.”

View the complete results for the XTERRA Kapalua Trail Runs at www.jtltiming.com

Duke’s Beach House XTERRA 10K Results

Hula Grill XTERRA 5K Results

Leilani’s XTERRA 3.3K Results

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