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1.5K Swim/32K Mountain Bike/10K Trail Run
Qualified Competitors Only
Race Start Swim: 8:45am at Hyatt Beach in Incline Village NV. The start is one of the most exciting parts of the race, which begins with a cannon blast you don't want to miss. Parking is difficult, so arrive early. At about 9:25am the swim to bike transition is good, which will take place at the Village Green. During the 1 hour 45min mountain bike segment would be a good time to get a bite to eat/coffee and/or check out the Xterra Expo. At about 11:15am I will be finishing the bike portion and off on the trail run. I'm shooting to finish (hopefully) a little after noon. For more info and a complete schedule see Race Details.
From Xterra: The Nissan Xterra USA Championship is the culmination of a series of more than 50 qualifying events across the US that award points to the top athletes in XTERRA's eight regions. The Nissan Xterra USA Championship is open to qualified amateur athletes from the US and professionals from around the world. Pro athletes race for their share of the $110,000 prize purse.THE COURSE: Nevada's spectacular natural environment and the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range provide a world-class setting and challenge for the biggest race of the season. The national championship starts at the beach fronting the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe where competitors swim two laps of a 750-meter course in the spring-fed, crystal clear waters located 6,200 feet above sea level. A short run to the grassy transition area at Village Green follows the swim.
The second element is a 32-kilometer, single loop mountain bike course. Following a short, paved section past prime, lake front real estate on Incline Village's Lakeshore Blvd., competitors reach the trails at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, where the race really begins. The first off-road section greeting riders is a 1,600-foot climb up Tunnel Creek Road to Tahoe's famed Flume Trail
. The "Flume" is known for its exposed crossing of sheer rock faces and incredible sweeping vistas. Those focusing too much on the view may end up casualties of this 4.4-mile section of single track.At the aspen-clad Marlette Lake, a second leg-burning climb on Hobart Road takes racers to the Tahoe Rim Trail. Halfway into the 6.6-mile section is the Marlette Lake Overlook at 8,700 feet above sea level (the highest point on the XTERRA course). From the top, a 2,500-foot descent to the second transition area resembles "Toad's Wild Ride" as it passes through a series of switchbacks and the waterless Twin Lakes.
The last leg of the race is a 10-kilometer forest trail run consisting of two 5-kilometer laps through some of nature's most arduous obstacles, including a dozen creek crossings. While the run course remains relatively flat, there are numerous short, steep climbs and quick descents. Splashing through glacial creeks, balancing along narrow log crossings, and skipping over boulders are just a few of the final tests of skill and endurance. The run course also passes by the crowd at the compound, who can hoot, holler, monitor, and react to the action.
