The 2025 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship takes place this weekend in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), marking the first time XTERRA‘s global trail running finale has been held in Europe.
Athletes from around the world will gather on Saturday, July 12, to contest XTERRA Full Marathon and Half Marathon world titles in the shadow of Wales’ highest peak, Yr Wyddfa.
The event follows a competitive season across the XTERRA Trail Run World Series, with over 40 qualifying races in 24 countries, including events in South Africa, New Zealand, Arizona, and Andorra. Runners from all backgrounds have taken part in the series, which offers open entry, points-based rankings, and world championship qualification across Full and Half Marathon formats.
From Hawaii to Eryri
Originally launched in 2008 at Kualoa Ranch, Hawaii, the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship originally crowned Half Marathon champions and has since extended to include the Full Marathon distance. After stops in Maui and Maine, the event’s move to Wales in 2025 introduces a European edition of the championship for the first time.
Course and location
Eryri National Park’s terrain includes steep ascents, rocky trails, moss-covered forests, and technical ridgelines. The Half Marathon route climbs 1,192m (3,910ft), with views of Dolbadarn Castle and Dinorwig Slate Quarries. The 44K Full Marathon covers 1,685m (5,528ft) of climbing through mountain passes and valleys, finishing in Llanberis.
Delivered by local event organiser, Always Aim High Events, the venue has hosted a number of trail events before, including the International Snowdon Race. XTERRA began incorporating Eryri into its series in 2022, and the 2025 World Championship takes international runners to this setting for the first time.
Alongside the championship races, the weekend includes a 10K, an ultra marathon, and non-competitive events such as a community run and mindfulness walk. Local communities in Llanberis and Betws-y-Coed have been encouraged to support the event, which the organising team notes is about both competition and connection.
Claire Stones of Always Aim High Events said “It means the world to us to welcome athletes from across the globe and share the magic of the wild, beautiful place we proudly call home. From the mountain paths to the local communities, there’s a shared energy here that brings everyone together.”
Welsh Minister for Culture, Skills & Social Partnerships, Jack Sergeant, stated that “no matter where in the world you have travelled from, you will feel there really is no better place for this exciting programme of competitions.”
The 2025 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship is part of the ongoing XTERRA Trail Run World Series, which continues across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
