Good news for all trail run fans: The annual running event O-SEE Ultra Trail, which takes place in October, is part of a trail run marathon series that will be held worldwide for the first time in 2021 - the XTERRA Trail Marathon Series.
Beginning with the XTERRA Kenting Trail Run in Taiwan in March, the calendar will consist of five existing XTERRA trail marathon races, as well as five exciting new events, thanks to partnerships with popular and established races in Europe, the U.S. and Asia. While the marathon distances of each of the events will be the main races of the series, the individual events will also offer something for everyone - from 6km to ultra distances and athletes can enjoy the unique atmosphere of XTERRA.
"We are thrilled to now offer trail running events over the marathon distance on our calendar," said Konstantinos Koumargialis, XTERRA Europe Marketing Director. "We feel there is a strong connection between our current off-road triathlon audience and the global trail running community and look forward to welcoming new and existing XTERRA fans to try out the series. As always, we are committed to protecting our natural environment while giving athletes the opportunity to explore new places and achieve their athletic goals. It's going to be an incredible year!"
This is also the opinion of Dr. Klaus "Benno" Schwager, Saxon XTERRA veteran and board member of the O-SEE Sports e.V.:
"I helped initiate the start of this landscape-focused trail series and also pushed hard for our O-SEE UltraTrail to be included in the circle of 10 events. Besides the perfect timing in the series, it is simply the natural conditions that justify the inclusion in this small but really fine series."
And that's how it was seen at the final selection - the O-SEE UltraTrail is the penultimate race of the series in the calendar of the XTERRA Trail Marathon Series that leads to the Dolomites, Tahiti, the Oak Mountains/ North America or the Swiss Jura, among others.
With the O-SEE Ultra Trail the organizing Zittau club O-SEE Sports e.V. in cooperation with the track and field athletes of the HSG Turbine Zittau succeeded in establishing another competition in the international competition calendar of cross sport events next to its now traditional O-SEE Challenge / XTERRA Germany. Beneficiary should also be the nature park Zittauer Gebirge, which can once again score with its scenic features as a travel and outdoor sports destination.
This year's inaugural XTERRA Trail Marathon Series will not be scored using a points system due to the COVID-19 restrictions in place worldwide. Starting in 2022, a scoring system will be introduced and winners will be crowned and prize money will be donated for the elite category.
Race of the XTERRA Trail Marathon Series:
28.04.21
XTERRA Kenting Trail Runs
Taiwan
www.xterrataiwan.com/en/races/gwgd/xterra-taiwan-trail-runs
01.05.21
XTERRA Gozo Trails
Malta
www.xterraplanet.com/gozo-trailrun
09.05.21
XTERRA Oak Mountain Trail Run Alabama, USA
www.xterraplanet.com/oakmountaintrailrun
16.05.21
XTERRA Taihu Trail Run
Suzhou, China
29.05.21
XTERRA Tupuna MOOREA Trail
Tahiti
10.07.21 – 11.07.21
XTERRA Snowdonia Trail Marathon
Wales, UK
www.alwaysaimhighevents.com/events/snowdonia-trail-marathon-2020
11.09.21
XTERRA Dolomiti di Brenta Trail
Italy
10.10.21
XTERRA Trail Vallée de Joux
Switzerland
16.10.21
XTERRA O-See Ultra Trail
Germany
30.10.21 – 31.10.21
XTERRA Trail des Balcons d’Azur France