Plans finalized for XTERRA Trail Running National Championship

Bend will once again be cast in the national outdoor recreation spotlight this fall, when the XTERRA Trail Running National Championship plays out on Saturday, September 27. Hailed by editors of Outside Magazine as “America’s Top Trail Running Town” in 2006, Bend was chosen as the national championship location for its abundance of trails, scenery and spectator-friendly venue.

“The active lifestyle that Bend has gained recognition for is a perfect fit with the XTERRA mission,” said XTERRA vice president Trey Garman. “We’re thrilled to have a community that is so enthusiastic about hosting this national championship event, and to have a venue as ideal as the Old Mill District to center it around.”

While the featured event in the XTERRA National Championship is the off-road half marathon (13.1 mile/21km) distance, a number of other events and activities are scheduled for the festival including 5k and 10k races, a free kids sprint race, and the Breeder’s Choice XTERRA K9 Challenge.

“The XTERRA Trail Running National Championships are a perfect fit with our tourism objectives for Bend,” said Doug LaPlaca, president and CEO of Visit Bend. “Between the XTERRA expo, the race itself and the national television exposure, this event will showcase Bend as one of the most scenic and recreation-minded communities in the country.”

Starting and finishing at the XTERRA expo center in the Old Mill District, the XTERRA Trail Running National Championship course will take racers from urban trails to the Deschutes River Trail along a scenic and fast course that only features 1,000 feet of elevation gain.

With race details recently finalized, online event registration has opened at http://www.xterraplanet.com/xduro/nationals.html. The cost to compete in the half marathon, which is open to anyone, is $35. The cost of the 5k and 10k races is $25.

The Central Oregon Trail Alliance has been selected as the event beneficiary, with $10 from every race registration going to COTA to support their ongoing efforts to build and maintain trails in Central Oregon.

The XTERRA Trail Run National Championship will be filmed by XTERRA crews and edited into a segment for the 2009 XTERRA Adventures TV show, which will be seen by millions of viewers across the country via national syndication and on the new XTERRA.TV site. A 30-second promo for the event is currently airing on the
www.XTERRA.TV site.

“When we launched our Central Oregon chapter last fall, this is exactly the type of event we had in mind for the region,” said Drew Mahalic, CEO of the Oregon Sports Authority, a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring sporting events to the state. “This event will bring participants and spectators from across the country to experience not only the event itself, but also the majesty of Bend.”

For more information including online registration and a complete schedule of events visit http://www.xterraplanet.com/xduro/nationals.html.