SWIM DISTANCE: 1.5-kilometers (0.93 miles)
MOUNTAIN BIKE DISTANCE: 32 Kilometers (20 miles) on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains
TRAIL RUN DISTANCE: 10.5 Kilometers (6.5 miles)

The XTERRA World Championship course is perpetually evolving.  In 1996 the race featured point-to-point swim, bike, and run legs over sharp lava rocks and dry, dusty bowls on Maui’s south shore.  This year it’ll traverse wet forest trails, pineapple fields, and ridgelines high above the northwest coast.

It’s the seventh year of racing on Maui Land & Pineapple Company’s private 22,000-acre oasis, and improvements to the trail structure have been made each season. Competitors will be treated to more single track trails on the bike and another half-mile of twisting, technical trail running before they reach the finish line.

It all starts with a 1.5-kilometer rough water swim at D.T. Fleming Beach fronting the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. Once on the bike riders navigate from the Ritz to a ridge line – down to a ravine – and back up again, like a tropical roller-coaster ride through paradise.

The bike is one big 20-mile loop with 2,800-feet of climbing that goes up-and-down the lower slopes of the West Maui Mountains more than a dozen times.  Course designers are striving to find the perfect balance of passing opportunities early with skillful riding opportunities later on.

“It’s an honest endurance challenge, that is for sure,” said race director “Kahuna Dave” Nicholas.  “The original Maui course was brutal.  The first one was just about who could survive, really, and even the run was pure torture with a mile of slogging through soft sand. This course is not just for survivors, but for those with the skills and endurance to ride the bike well and fast, and still have enough left in their legs to climb some more and more importantly, descend some steep downhills on a really challenging trail run.”

The signature spot on the Maui course is at the five-mile mark on the bike as riders pop out on a narrow ridge with hundred foot drop-offs on either side.  From the top you can see all around the vast West Maui Forest Reserve and over the deep blue Pacific Ocean to the neighbor islands of Moloka’i and Lana’i.

“The views are simply spectacular,” Nicholas explains. “And don’t worry, if I didn’t fall off – neither will you. In fact, when you come early to preview the course, bring your camera with you. The scenery is something that not many people get a chance to see.”

Once on the run competitors will be faced with a whole lot of climbing while they weave along dirt trails, through oleander forests, and into 60-foot high ironwood evergreens to an unexpected mountain lake at the 700-foot level.

“It descends like a slalom course through high green Bermuda grasses and opens up in spots to expose fantastic views of the Pacific,” said Nicholas. “Obstacles are everywhere, including a technical, steep downhill into a gully where racers will have to jump over and duck under fallen trees, navigate a rocky dry creek, head through thick elephant grass, and along a narrow single track trail with switchbacks that drop all the way down to the beach. The final test of skill and endurance is a calf-busting 250-meter white sand beach run.”

Important: The course is 100% on private land, and we ask XTERRA athletes to respect the landowner’s wishes not to ride the upper course outside of the scheduled and approved pre-ride opportunities (see schedule).  The upper course routes through active farms, stables, horse trails, and zip line tours.  Mountain bikers are considered trespassers by these, and other businesses, and you could be subject to arrest if you are found trespassing, as well as disqualification from the race.  The first 3.5 miles and last 5.5 miles of the bike course known as “The Lower Bowl” are always available, simply be respectful of regular users playing Frisbee, walking dogs, jogging, etc.  The entire run course is also available anytime from sunrise to sunset, except Saturday during the XTERRA Kapalua 2.5k/5k/10k races from 9am-11am.

START AND SWIM

The race starts with a 1.5-kilometer rough water swim at D.T. Fleming Beach fronting the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua; and will feature wave starts beginning with pro men and women, followed by age group men, then age group women.  A short beach sprint mid-race between and “M” shaped course gives spectators a chance to pick out their friends and family from the field.

WAVE SWIM STARTS

There will be wave starts for this year’s race starting with pro men and women waves, then, four age group waves. Also, be aware that there could be high surf at the swim beach. We recommend you practice swimming in and out of the surf break before race day.

Start Times Note: Times may change. Changes will be announced at the athlete briefing.

2019 Race Details

2017 Results at: jtltiming.com
2016 Results at: jtltiming.com
2015 Results at: jtltiming.com
2014 Results at: jtltiming.com
2013 Results at: jtltiming.com
2012 Results at: jtltiming.com
2011 Results at: jtltiming.com
2010 Results at: jtltiming.com
2009 Results at: jtltiming.com
2008 Results at: jtltiming.com
2007 Results at: jtltiming.com
2006 Results at: jtltiming.com
2005 Results at: jtltiming.com
2004 Results at: jtltiming.com
2003 Results at: jtltiming.com
2002 Results at: jtltiming.com 
2001 Results at: coolrunning.com
2000 Results at: coolrunning.com
1999 Results at jtltiming.com: Male / Female