Middaugh and Solis Seize Victories at The Return of XTERRA Costa Rica

August 27, 2024

LAS CATALINAS, COSTA RICA /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – XTERRA Costa Rica marked its return to the off-road triathlon circuit as the 18th stop on the 2024 XTERRA Americas Tour, introducing a new team, course, and venue for its racing weekend on August 24-25.

Held in Las Catalinas, the event featured a Full Distance Triathlon where Josiah Middaugh (USA) and Raquel Solis (CRI) claimed victories in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.

This race not only offered a $7,500 prize purse for XTERRA Elites but also 28 age-grouper qualifying spots for the XTERRA World Championship in Trentino, Italy.

Since its inception, XTERRA Costa Rica has grown from a single race into a comprehensive outdoor sports festival, now including seven different races. This expansion reflects the event’s increased appeal and its capacity to challenge elite athletes with a demanding Full Distance course. The festival atmosphere celebrated community and culture, enhancing the competition throughout the weekend.

Course Overview

Under the innovative guidance of Leonardo Chacon Corrales (CRI), a two-time Olympian and distinguished XTERRA athlete, XTERRA Costa Rica has unveiled a revamped course developed by Performance Solutions.

Swim (1.5K): The competition began with a 1.5K swim in the warm waters of Playa Danta with the high tide and waves rolling in to make it a challenging first segment. Competitors battled the swim loop contrasted by serene tropical surroundings with plenty of supporters on the beach cheering them on.

Bike (21K): Following the swim, competitors embarked on a 21K mountain bike ride through the forest reserves around Las Catalinas. This segment featured technical trails and notable elevation changes, providing stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from high cliff overlooks.

Run (9K): The event concluded with a 9K trail run that guided athletes along coastal paths, through stretches of pristine white-sand beaches, and into dense forests, ending in the cobblestoned heart of Las Catalinas.

Full Distance Race Recap

In the men’s race, elite triathletes faced off in an epic battle commencing in the waters of Playa Danta. Josiah Middaugh (USA) shared his initial struggle, “I had a really good swim for me. I was in contact for a while but lost them after the first lap and then I was alone by myself, but made it through. It was really exciting; the ocean had a high tide today so it was really interesting.” Dominik Wychera (AUT) faced difficulties right from the start, “Swim was tough, struggling through the waves a little bit. Finding the directions to the buoys was difficult; I could follow the pack in the first lap but in the second, the group was blowing up and I came out of the water last.” Pablo Herrera Chacón (CRI), was first out of the water in 20:42 with Alvaro Campos (CRI) behind him in 21:07.

The athletes then tackled the 21K custom-built MTB course through Las Catalinas’ forest reserves. Middaugh recounted the ride, “Got on the bike, felt like I was in competition but I was off my game in the beginning. I finally got my rhythm and halfway through the bike made it back up to Dominik [Wychera] and Leonardo [Chacon Corrales (CRI)], after initially riding with Dominik out of transition. Dominik stayed right behind my wheel, couldn’t shake him all the way through but it’s always an adventure here in Costa Rica.” Wychera recounts, “The bike was cool, I was able to quickly get on Josiah’s back wheel after transition. He was struggling with some mechanicals so I could ride away a bit, then he caught me again and we rode all the way together, pushing each other.” Dominik Wychera posted the fastest bike split at 1:03:21, just ahead of Middaugh who clocked in at 1:03:30.

On the final leg with the 9K trail run through coastal and forested paths. Middaugh described the intense finish, “I started to run but Dominik [Wychera] passed me in transition, I ran really hard, full gas all the way. I got a really small gap at the summit and I was just holding a 10-second gap all the way down.” Wychera recalled, “I actually had good legs today; Josiah [Middaugh] caught me on the trail run. I was following his feet then he pushed it on the last uphill, and the downhill was just as hard.” Middaugh secured the fastest run time of 40:35, helping him clinch the overall victory with a time of 2:09:28, narrowly edging out Wychera who finished in 2:09:47

Middaugh expressed his affection for the venue after winning the race by saying, “So happy to be back in Costa Rica. Las Catalinas is a very unique, very special place. Love to bring my family next year.” Wychera was enchanted by the local charm, “The venue is amazing, this place is awesome, the people are super welcoming. The scenery was my favorite part, looking into the ocean. I’m from Austria so we don’t have the ocean; it’s very special to me. It was unbelievable, and everyone on the course is cheering for you, so it’s just amazing.” Alvaro Campos (CRI), who finished third, was also captivated, “It was a really good experience, my first time racing with XTERRA and I had a lot to learn. Racing in Costa Rica is amazing and I’ve got my family here supporting me so it was awesome.”

Leonardo Chacon Corrales (CRI) placed a close fourth overall, and was instrumental in shaping the race’s challenging course, bringing an authentic XTERRA experience to his home country.

Top 5 Elite Men’s Full Distance Results

1. Josiah Middaugh, USA: 2:09:28

2. Dominik Wychera, AUT: 2:09:47

3. Alvaro Campos, CRI: 2:16:35

4. Leonardo Chacon Corrales, CRI: 2:17:06

5. Federico Venegas, CRI: 2:22:54

In the women’s race, Raquel Solis and Paloma Soto, both from Costa Rica, competed against each other in a head-to-head battle.

Raquel Solis secured first place with an overall time of 2:52:33. Her swim was efficient, clocking in at 22:43, placing her ahead of some of the men. She commented, “I think it was a very good swim for me. I was with a couple of the men, so it was good to come out of the water ahead.” Solis completed the bike segment in 1:31:40 and appreciated the course’s challenges, “The views are incredible. We crossed some rivers, which was fun and exciting.” The run, completed in 56:20, presented some technical difficulties, “The run was easier at first but got harder as we continued. The downhills became very technical and difficult.” She was satisfied with her overall performance, noting, “I’m not used to racing XTERRA, so I prepared as best as I could. I’m very happy with the results.”

Paloma Soto finished second with a total time of 3:22:16. Her swim time was 26:30, but she anticipated the unknown challenges. “The swim was nice, but I knew running in the sand would be rough, although it wasn’t that bad.” Despite acknowledging her inexperience on the mountain bike, finishing the bike segment in 1:54:42, Soto remained positive, “I don’t have a lot of skill in mountain biking and I’m kind of new at this, so my pace was slow, but I didn’t fall, which was good. I liked the downhills the most.” She enjoyed the run, finishing in 59:18, and stated, “The run was cool and my favorite part. I need to continue to practice to get better at XTERRA races. I recommend that everyone tries it at least once, and I’ll be back for sure. The vibe here is good, and I really like the people and the atmosphere.”

Complete Results Here.

XTERRA Costa Rica was hosted in Las Catalinas, a car-free town on the Guanacaste coast, located 45 minutes from Liberia International Airport. The event weekend featured a variety of activities suitable for different ages and skill levels. The lineup included a Sprint Triathlon that served as a qualifier for the XTERRA Youth World Championship, a 31.5K Trail Half Marathon that provided slots for the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship, along with shorter trail runs, an open-water swim, and children’s events. The festival atmosphere was supported by an expo village, live music, and a pasta dinner, marking XTERRA’s return to Costa Rica with a successful relaunching of this event in a new location at Las Catalinas.

About XTERRA

XTERRA is a global lifestyle brand that champions the outdoor enthusiast in their pursuit of relentless adventure. From pioneering the sport of cross-triathlon in 1996, XTERRA has grown to become a leading brand in off-road adventure through the XTERRA World Tour, XTERRA Trail Run World Series and the XTERRA World Cup, connecting an eco-aware community of worldwide explorers that seek to protect the places where they play. For more information, visit xterraplanet.com.

Middaugh and Solis Seize Victories at The Return of XTERRA Costa Rica

LAS CATALINAS, COSTA RICA — XTERRA Costa Rica marked its return to the off-road triathlon circuit as the 18th stop on the 2024 XTERRA Americas Tour, introducing a new team, course, and venue for its racing weekend on August 24-25.

Held in Las Catalinas, the event featured a Full Distance Triathlon where Josiah Middaugh (USA) and Raquel Solis (CRI) claimed victories in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.

This race not only offered a $7,500 prize purse for XTERRA Elites but also 28 age-grouper qualifying spots for the XTERRA World Championship in Trentino, Italy.

Since its inception, XTERRA Costa Rica has grown from a single race into a comprehensive outdoor sports festival, now including seven different races. This expansion reflects the event’s increased appeal and its capacity to challenge elite athletes with a demanding Full Distance course. The festival atmosphere celebrated community and culture, enhancing the competition throughout the weekend.

Course Overview

Under the innovative guidance of Leonardo Chacon Corrales (CRI), a two-time Olympian and distinguished XTERRA athlete, XTERRA Costa Rica has unveiled a revamped course developed by Performance Solutions.

Swim (1.5K): The competition began with a 1.5K swim in the warm waters of Playa Danta with the high tide and waves rolling in to make it a challenging first segment. Competitors battled the swim loop contrasted by serene tropical surroundings with plenty of supporters on the beach cheering them on.

Bike (21K): Following the swim, competitors embarked on a 21K mountain bike ride through the forest reserves around Las Catalinas. This segment featured technical trails and notable elevation changes, providing stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from high cliff overlooks.

Run (9K): The event concluded with a 9K trail run that guided athletes along coastal paths, through stretches of pristine white-sand beaches, and into dense forests, ending in the cobblestoned heart of Las Catalinas.

Full Distance Race Recap

In the men’s race, elite triathletes faced off in an epic battle commencing in the waters of Playa Danta. Josiah Middaugh (USA) shared his initial struggle, “I had a really good swim for me. I was in contact for a while but lost them after the first lap and then I was alone by myself, but made it through. It was really exciting; the ocean had a high tide today so it was really interesting.” Dominik Wychera (AUT) faced difficulties right from the start, “Swim was tough, struggling through the waves a little bit. Finding the directions to the buoys was difficult; I could follow the pack in the first lap but in the second, the group was blowing up and I came out of the water last.” Pablo Herrera Chacón (CRI), was first out of the water in 20:42 with Alvaro Campos (CRI) behind him in 21:07.

The athletes then tackled the 21K custom-built MTB course through Las Catalinas’ forest reserves. Middaugh recounted the ride, “Got on the bike, felt like I was in competition but I was off my game in the beginning. I finally got my rhythm and halfway through the bike made it back up to Dominik [Wychera] and Leonardo [Chacon Corrales (CRI)], after initially riding with Dominik out of transition. Dominik stayed right behind my wheel, couldn’t shake him all the way through but it’s always an adventure here in Costa Rica.” Wychera recounts, “The bike was cool, I was able to quickly get on Josiah’s back wheel after transition. He was struggling with some mechanicals so I could ride away a bit, then he caught me again and we rode all the way together, pushing each other.” Dominik Wychera posted the fastest bike split at 1:03:21, just ahead of Middaugh who clocked in at 1:03:30.

On the final leg with the 9K trail run through coastal and forested paths. Middaugh described the intense finish, “I started to run but Dominik [Wychera] passed me in transition, I ran really hard, full gas all the way. I got a really small gap at the summit and I was just holding a 10-second gap all the way down.” Wychera recalled, “I actually had good legs today; Josiah [Middaugh] caught me on the trail run. I was following his feet then he pushed it on the last uphill, and the downhill was just as hard.” Middaugh secured the fastest run time of 40:35, helping him clinch the overall victory with a time of 2:09:28, narrowly edging out Wychera who finished in 2:09:47

Middaugh expressed his affection for the venue after winning the race by saying, “So happy to be back in Costa Rica. Las Catalinas is a very unique, very special place. Love to bring my family next year.” Wychera was enchanted by the local charm, “The venue is amazing, this place is awesome, the people are super welcoming. The scenery was my favorite part, looking into the ocean. I’m from Austria so we don’t have the ocean; it’s very special to me. It was unbelievable, and everyone on the course is cheering for you, so it’s just amazing.” Alvaro Campos (CRI), who finished third, was also captivated, “It was a really good experience, my first time racing with XTERRA and I had a lot to learn. Racing in Costa Rica is amazing and I’ve got my family here supporting me so it was awesome.”

Leonardo Chacon Corrales (CRI) placed a close fourth overall, and was instrumental in shaping the race’s challenging course, bringing an authentic XTERRA experience to his home country.

Top 5 Elite Men’s Full Distance Results

1. Josiah Middaugh, USA: 2:09:28

2. Dominik Wychera, AUT: 2:09:47

3. Alvaro Campos, CRI: 2:16:35

4. Leonardo Chacon Corrales, CRI: 2:17:06

5. Federico Venegas, CRI: 2:22:54

In the women’s race, Raquel Solis and Paloma Soto, both from Costa Rica, competed against each other in a head-to-head battle.

Raquel Solis secured first place with an overall time of 2:52:33. Her swim was efficient, clocking in at 22:43, placing her ahead of some of the men. She commented, “I think it was a very good swim for me. I was with a couple of the men, so it was good to come out of the water ahead.” Solis completed the bike segment in 1:31:40 and appreciated the course’s challenges, “The views are incredible. We crossed some rivers, which was fun and exciting.” The run, completed in 56:20, presented some technical difficulties, “The run was easier at first but got harder as we continued. The downhills became very technical and difficult.” She was satisfied with her overall performance, noting, “I’m not used to racing XTERRA, so I prepared as best as I could. I’m very happy with the results.”

Paloma Soto finished second with a total time of 3:22:16. Her swim time was 26:30, but she anticipated the unknown challenges. “The swim was nice, but I knew running in the sand would be rough, although it wasn’t that bad.” Despite acknowledging her inexperience on the mountain bike, finishing the bike segment in 1:54:42, Soto remained positive, “I don’t have a lot of skill in mountain biking and I’m kind of new at this, so my pace was slow, but I didn’t fall, which was good. I liked the downhills the most.” She enjoyed the run, finishing in 59:18, and stated, “The run was cool and my favorite part. I need to continue to practice to get better at XTERRA races. I recommend that everyone tries it at least once, and I’ll be back for sure. The vibe here is good, and I really like the people and the atmosphere.”

Complete Results Here.

XTERRA Costa Rica was hosted in Las Catalinas, a car-free town on the Guanacaste coast, located 45 minutes from Liberia International Airport. The event weekend featured a variety of activities suitable for different ages and skill levels. The lineup included a Sprint Triathlon that served as a qualifier for the XTERRA Youth World Championship, a 31.5K Trail Half Marathon that provided slots for the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship, along with shorter trail runs, an open-water swim, and children’s events. The festival atmosphere was supported by an expo village, live music, and a pasta dinner, marking XTERRA’s return to Costa Rica with a successful relaunching of this event in a new location at Las Catalinas.

About XTERRA

XTERRA is a global lifestyle brand that champions the outdoor enthusiast in their pursuit of relentless adventure. From pioneering the sport of cross-triathlon in 1996, XTERRA has grown to become a leading brand in off-road adventure through the XTERRA World Tour, XTERRA Trail Run World Series and the XTERRA World Cup, connecting an eco-aware community of worldwide explorers that seek to protect the places where they play. For more information, visit xterraplanet.com.