XTERRA Eureka Springs Returns to Lake Leatherwood

The wild hills and plentiful waterways of Eureka Springs have attracted outstanding people from every walk of life for decades. Now they will bring a new breed of athlete to town.
 

On Saturday, June 7, competitors from more than 12 states will converge here for a day of extreme off-road competition as the 3rd annual XTERRA Eureka Springs Off-Road Triathlon and Trail Run returns.

With the most significant topography between the Appalachians and the Rockies, the Ozark Mountains will provide the backdrop for one of the most challenging race courses in the country.
  

The event will take place in the 1,600-acre Lake Leatherwood City Park. The race will consist of a 1/2-mile swim, 13-mile mountain bike race and 5-mile trail run.

A separate 3.5-mile trail running race will take place in the morning before the off-road triathlon.

Event organizers are expecting as many as 200 athletes at this year's race. "Each year we are blown away by the support offered by the business community and by individuals willing to volunteer their time for this event," said director Nick Cross. "Participants in our race recognize community support is what helps set XTERRA Eureka Springs apart from other events. We are quickly developing a reputation as a top-notch stop on the XTERRA America Tour."

The off-road triathlon will utilize a wave start for the 1/2-mile swim, with racers charging into the waters of Lake Leatherwood from the swim beach. Racers then scramble 200 yards to the transition area and the start of the mountain bike phase of the race.

The mountain bike course is a mixture of single and double track trails that are semi-technical and include challenging rocky terrain, steep climbs and several fast descents.

The running course contours around the mountains on the west side of the park. The trails are mostly smooth, with some rocky and technical sections. There are two challenging climbs on the route.

This race is the first in the Arkansas Triple Crown series, where male and female racers who compete in all three Arkansas XTERRA races can vie to be crowned Arkansas XTERRA champion.

The race course passes through the grassy meadow, which serves as the hub of race operations, three times during the day, so spectators can view the race as it unfolds.

Local band Mountain Sprout will perform throughout the event.
  

Following the race, there will be an awards banquet for participants and volunteers. Awards will be given for the top three finishers in each age group, with prizes awarded to the top three overall finishers. As with previous XTERRA events, there will be gear giveaways and door prizes.
  

A post-race party will be held at the Pied Piper Pub, with exclusive beer and food specials for XTERRA Eureka Springs participants.

The 2008 XTERRA America Tour, now in its eighth year, will host more than 50 events in 32 states across the country, plus the Commonwealths of Guam and Saipan. XTERRA is the only series of its kind for age group multisport athletes, providing a bona-fide championship competition within specific geographic regions.

The first XTERRA race was held in 1996 with 123 competitors in Maui. The demand for the sport exploded thereafter, and there are now more than 20,000 competitors, ages 13 to 71, from all 50 states and more than 30 countries worldwide.

Information and Images courtesy of Lovely County Citizen