The off-road tri series phenomenon of XTERRA is scaling up in Europe with a new event in Abruzzo, Italy, tapping into the growing sport of triathlon in the country. XTERRA Abruzzo – Italy is part of the European XTERRA tour and offers up to 15 slots for the XTERRA World Championship in Maui, Hawaii.
Born in 1996 on the beaches of Maui, Hawaii – XTERRA currently features more than one hundred events across the globe, a public of 4.5 million people and about 45,000 participants from over 65 countries. This year the international festival of off-road triathlon lands for the first time in one of the greenest regions in Europe and in the characteristic village of Scanno (L’Aquila).
The event is scheduled for the weekend of 19-21 July and involves 1.5K of swimming, 31.5K by mountain bike and a trail run of 10.4K.
Following an ‘athlete engagement model’ developed in other countries, such as the UK, where XTERRA England is building momentum, the local race organisers in Italy are partnering with a leading XTERRA athlete to help design the course.
The race itinerary for XTERRA Abruzzo – Italy has been planned by Nicolas ‘Nic’ Lebrun, the Frenchman who is a symbol for the off-road discipline.
As noted by the organisers, ‘In the world of XTERRA both professional and amateur athletes, united in a great community, compete in order to promote a healthy and active lifestyle in the open air, with no age restrictions.’
The shared objective is to travel, explore and meet new people and stay active through physical exercise by following the XTERRA motto ‘Live more’.
Abruzzo is ready to offer up its wonderful and pristine landscape to endurance sport enthusiasts. The area is surrounded by national parks and will welcome athletes with open arms thanks to ‘the renowned warmth of its inhabitants.’ The favourable geographic position, one hour and a half from Rome and easily reachable from other major towns, is a further plus for the region.
The organisers point out that the atmosphere of the XTERRA event in Scanno is unique thanks to the presence of the lake by the same name, which with its green colour is one of the widest mountain basins in Italy. Looking at it from above, the water basin has a particular heart shape.
As the XTERRA rollercoaster picks up speed in Europe, the organisers of XTERRA Abruzzo – Italy are looking to win over hearts and minds with this picturesque venue.
XTERRA Abruzzo – Italy on 19-21 July is a European championship event and awards fifteen top athletes a slot for the XTERRA World Championship, which takes place in Maui on 27 October 2013.
www.xterra-abruzzo.com
www.visitabruzzo.co.uk
