XTERRA Belgium will return to the Citadel of Namur on June 6, 2026, marking the 10th anniversary of one of the most recognisable venues on the international XTERRA World Tour.
High above the Meuse and Sambre rivers in Namur, central Belgium, the event places a full day of off-road racing inside a mix of forest, fortress walls, cobbled climbs, and river views. The event is organised by a team led by Belgian event organisers Denis Detinne and Florian Badoux. The schedule features a full day of events across the historic site and the surrounding trails.
The Full Distance Triathlon, which also serves as the Belgian Cross-Triathlon Championship, covers a 1.5K swim, 43K mountain bike, and 10K trail run. The race schedule also includes the Sprint Distance Triathlon, duathlons, and kids races.
The courses keep athletes, families, spectators, and the city connected with the citadel above and the river below, with the main event village serving as the hub for the day.
The Full Distance Triathlon begins with a 1.5K swim in the Meuse River below the Citadel before the race turns back toward the transition area and the climb into the main venue. The 43K mountain bike course uses the slopes around the Citadel, moving through climbs, wooded trails, cobbled sections, and faster areas near transition. The course requires riders to adjust between multiple surfaces while managing the effort needed for repeated climbs and technical changes.
Riders are never far from the event village, where support builds around the climbs, transition areas, and sections near the fortress. The 10K trail run stays close to the Citadel, incorporating shaded trails, stairs, narrow passages, and changing terrain underfoot. After the mountain bike discipline, the final leg becomes a test of control as much as speed, with athletes needing to navigate the technical ground all the way to the finish line.
Ced Smets, a Belgian athlete, said “It’s always a highlight for me, not just because it’s in my home country, but because the course is demanding. And the atmosphere? It’s huge. The crowd energy is real. You better show up ready, because the Belgians will bring the noise.”
That support has become part of XTERRA Belgium’s identity. The event brings youth racing, discovery formats, full-distance racing, awards, music, food, and an after-party into the same venue.
Sébastien Carabin, the 2025 XTERRA Belgium elite men’s winner, returns to Namur to defend his title. Carabin said “As for Namur. It’s practically a home race and means a lot to me because the atmosphere is incredible with all the Belgians supporting me, including my family and friends. My 2025 victory remains one of my best sporting memories.”
The weekend also includes youth racing on the XTERRA Youth Tour pathway. Youth B and Junior athletes will race the Sprint Distance Triathlon format, while Youth A athletes will take on a shorter format as part of the same race-day schedule.
Away from the course, the Namur Citadel gives visitors additional activities to experience before and after racing. The Terra Nova Visitor Center, tunnel tours, and views over the Meuse and Sambre rivers provide options for spectators, while the 10-year anniversary celebration continues into the evening at the Belvédère venue with awards, a live concert by Muse By Symmetry, and an after-party set with Julien Hamoir.
