Xterra has confirmed the addition of Xterra Colombia to the 2024 Xterra Americas Tour. In partnership with Xportiva, an endurance events production company based in Bogota, the first-ever Xterra weekend of events in Colombia will be held on May 25-26, 2024, in the town of Paipa on the eastern side of the Andes Mountain Range.
“We’re delighted to welcome Xportiva to the Xterra Family,” said Steve Andrus, Xterra Americas Tour Manager. “They have proven their ability to host world-class events and are dedicated to providing participants with an amazing new destination to discover along with a warm Xterra welcome.”
The inaugural race will combine a 1.5km swim in Sochagota Lake with a 30km mountain bike and 10km trail run. It will offer US$7,500 in prize money for professionals, and 28 qualifying spots into the Xterra World Championship, plus points in the Xterra Americas Tour for amateurs.
“We are beyond excited to bring such a highly acclaimed international event like Xterra to Colombia,” said János Kapitány, Xportiva CEO. “We believe Xterra is the ideal event to join our family of races, where we welcome every type of athlete in a safe and familiar environment.”
Paipa, located in the Boyacá department of central Colombia, is full of history, ancestral culture, local cuisine, and natural scenery. It’s known for its hot springs and as a place to relax, as well as being a Colombian capital of ecotourism, music, and sports.
“Paipa has a unique geography which is ideal for the preparation and training of high-performance athletes of national and international stature, highlighting the city’s slogan which is, ‘Training here does you well’,” added János Kapitány.
One of the attributes that makes Paipa special and unique to the Xterra world is its height, since it is located more than 8,000 feet above sea level with spots that approach 10,000-feet. This surpasses the elevation at Xterra Beaver Creek, which previously boasted the highest starting elevation of any major on the Xterra World Tour at 7,400-feet.
In addition to the main event, Xterra Colombia will also offer a 21K trail run that offers qualifying spots into the 2024 Xterra Trail Run World Championship half-marathon, plus a 10K trail run, 30K mountain bike race, and a variety of kids running events.
“Xportiva is a family business made with lots of love, hard work, and passion,” said Manuel Kapitány, Xterra Colombia Event Director. “We are athletes first, and our dream is to host the most amazing Xterra race for the people of Colombia and around the globe.”
