XTERRA Returns to Shelby County, AL in May, 2023

July 29, 2022

XTERRA will return for its 16th year at Oak Mountain State Park in Shelby County, Alabama with a family-friendly festival featuring live music, beer gardens, food trucks, trail runs, mountain bike races, and off-road triathlons for pros and amateurs on May 18-21, 2023.

July 29, 2022/ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – XTERRA will return for its 16th year at Oak Mountain State Park in Shelby County, Alabama with a family-friendly festival featuring live music, beer gardens, food trucks, trail runs, mountain bike races, and off-road triathlons for pros and amateurs on May 18-21, 2023.

The jam-packed weekend of events is powered by XTERRA’s global focus to deliver premium outdoor lifestyle experiences for athletes, spectators, destinations, and community members alike.

“Oak Mountain is the absolute perfect spot for XTERRA with miles and miles of world-class trails, amazing facilities, and incredible support from the park, county, state, and trail communities,” said XTERRA U.S. Tour Manager, Steve Andrus. “We’re excited to put this one on the schedule early and get to work on hosting a first-class get together for local families and adventure enthusiasts from around the world.”

XTERRA first discovered Oak Mountain State Park in 2006, and the park and trail systems have improved year-over-year ever since, attracting athletes from across the country to Shelby County.

“We are very excited to be welcoming XTERRA back to Shelby County,” said Kendall Williams, Shelby County Manager for tourism and events. “This event has been instrumental in obtaining worldwide recognition for Oak Mountain State Park and its trails. We love that XTERRA draws athletes of all levels, including world champions, plus creates an amazingly fun environment for the whole community to experience and enjoy.”

Shelby County, Oak Mountain State Park, and the Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers (BUMP) have spent more than 100,000 hours on the design and construction of new trails over the past 25 years and are still going strong.

“BUMP is thrilled to welcome XTERRA back to Oak Mountain,” said Jacob Tubbs, BUMP Race Director. “We’ve been hard at work maintaining and building new trails that are both fun and worthy of world-class racing, and we love seeing top-tier athletes from around the world test themselves here.”

XTERRA sprint and full distance off-road triathlons will be held in conjunction with the XTERRA World Tour that attracts elites from around the world racing for their share of the $15,000 prize purse, and amateurs from across the country trying to qualify for the 2023 World Championships in Italy.

The main event combines a one-mile swim in the warm water of Double Oak Lake with a grueling 20-mile mountain bike on the highly acclaimed Oak Mountain trails, and a twisting 10km trail run.

“We are thrilled to welcome XTERRA back to Oak Mountain State Park for another world-class race series in 2023,” exclaimed Anna Jones, Oak Mountain State Park event coordinator. “It’s our privilege to host XTERRA as it gives us a chance to showcase the beauty and importance of Alabama State Parks!”

To complement the races Oak Mountain State Park offers a wealth of family activities, a wildlife center, swimming beach, fishing, horseback riding, golfing, boat rental, camping, and more.

“This has always been my favorite race in the U.S. because of the hidden gem that is Oak Mountain State Park,” said three-time XTERRA World Champion, Lesley Paterson. “The single track is phenomenal and the conditions are always unknown which makes the technical aspect of the course so much more of a factor in the outcome of the race. And don’t forget the locals, they are so nice, the southern hospitality vibe is really unmatched.”

A full schedule of events and registration portal can be found at www.xterraplanet.com.

About Shelby County

Find your trail and discover Shelby County. With a dynamic and thriving outdoor economy, the 808 square miles of Shelby County provide countless activities for exploration and discovery. Home to Oak Mountain State Park, Lay Lake, the Cahaba River, and over 130 miles of trails and parks, Shelby County offers diverse opportunities to escape and enjoy nature. Built with a community of outdoor adventurers at the forefront of its inspiration, Shelby County is driven by the transformative power of communal experiences in nature. Shelby County’s unique array of wineries, craft breweries, restaurants, and stores create one of a kind opportunities to savor and enjoy after an unforgettable day in the outdoors. To learn more and find your trail visit www.discovershelby.com.

About Oak Mountain State Park

From its humble beginning as a 940-acre park atop Double Oak Mountain established by the Alabama State Lands Act of 1927, Oak Mountain State Park has grown to 9,940 acres making it Alabama’s largest state park. With the largest land-area, one of the widest varieties of outdoor activities of any state park, and its proximity to Birmingham, Oak Mountain is a perfect stop while traveling to and from the state’s largest city. Topping it all off is the park’s stunning physical landscape, which alone makes for an unforgettable experience. www.alapark.com.

About Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers

The mission of BUMP is to BUILD, PRESERVE, MAINTAIN and RIDE trails in the Birmingham and surrounding area. Since 1994, BUMP, a non-profit 501 (3) c organization, has gained and maintained access to Oak Mountain State Park, Tannehill State Park, and Trussville Sports Complex, built miles of new trail, and maintained the relationships with land managers and state and local governments necessary to maintain this trail access. www.bump.org.

About XTERRA

XTERRA is a global lifestyle brand that champions the outdoor endurance enthusiast in their pursuit of relentless adventure. With over 25 years of rich, off-road history, XTERRA has cultivated a passionate community of like-minded individuals who strive to be the best version of themselves in all aspects of life. XTERRA offers partners a globally diverse community of loyal consumers who connect through sharing experiences; victories, struggles, personal stories, adventures and much more. www.xterraplanet.com.

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