XTERRA Oak Mountain is a premier event on the XTERRA Trail Run World Series calendar, Oak Mountain hosts the XTERRA Americas Trail Run Championships, welcoming a high-quality field of runners from Canada to Chile and beyond. The XTERRA Americas half-marathon and full-marathon trail runs will award more than $5,200 in prize money, continental championship titles to runners in age group categories ranging from 15-19 to 80+, and XTERRA Trail Run World Championship qualifying spots to the top finishers in each division. Two-person teams, aka “racing duos,” are also eligible for titles and qualifying spots.
Surrounding the racing action is a family-friendly festival focused on delivering a premium outdoor lifestyle experience for athletes, spectators, destinations, and community members, featuring live music, beer gardens, food trucks, and more. The Championship weekend of events also includes 5K and 10K fun runs and a Kids K on the same day, all part of a massive weekend of endurance sports events that include off-road triathlons, mountain bike races, live music, bbq, and camping. Official 2023 Athlete’s Guide for all of the nitty gritty details.
The event takes place in Shelby County on the award-winning trails of Oak Mountain State Park, an extensive network of singletrack trails that provide the ultimate playground for trail runners. With a dynamic and thriving outdoor economy, the 808 square miles of Shelby County provide countless activities for exploration and discovery. Home to Oak Mountain State Park, Lay Lake, the Cahaba River, and over 130 miles of trails and parks, Shelby County offers diverse opportunities to escape and enjoy nature. Built with a community of outdoor adventurers at the forefront of its inspiration, Shelby County is driven by the transformative power of communal experiences in nature. Shelby County’s unique array of wineries, craft breweries, restaurants, and stores create one-of-a-kind opportunities to savor and enjoy after an unforgettable day in the outdoors.
However, there is much to enjoy right around Oak Mountain State Park including The Margarita Grill (an XTERRA crew favorite) as well as the new Oak Mountain Brewing Company and The Beer Hog to sample some amazing local craft brews after your race. Want to ride or run some fairly untapped trails? Cahaba River Park is for you! Timing should be perfect at the beginning of May to sneak a glimpse of the iconic Cahaba lilies in bloom, which are aquatic flowering plants only grown in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. For those looking to explore a little bit more of what the South and Birmingham area has to offer, check out specifically curated itineraries catered to your interests. Finally, partner hotels for this event include the Sleep Inn and the Fairfield Inn & Suites which both offer discounted rates for participants.
The XTERRA Trail Run World Series is an inclusive series that invites all trail enthusiasts to join the XTERRA community as you connect, explore, and discover new and existing trails in idyllic running terrains worldwide. Designed to mix community and adventure, the series is open to all runners, from amateur to elite, individuals and pairs, with over 30 races in 20+ countries across Europe, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific region. Compete individually, regionally, or globally in the XTERRA Trail Run rankings, or push to the front of the pack in your age group to qualify for a place on the starting line at the annual and invite-only XTERRA Trail Run World Championship. The XTERRA Trail Run World Series includes both half-marathon (15-34km) and full-marathon (35km+) races, with individual and team (duo) categories available. Some of the related events are the XTERRA McDowell Mountain Trail Run, XTERRA ATX Trail Run, and XTERRA New Jersey.
