16th Annual XTERRA World Championship Race in Kapalua This Sunday October 23, 2011

XTERRA Moves From South Maui to Kapalua By Wendy Osher Article from: MauiNow.com The 2011 XTERRA World Championship makes a venue change this year, moving from the volcanic vistas of South Maui  to the verdant terrain of the Kapalua Resort. The new locale is situated along the northwest coast in the backyard of the  22,000-acre Maui Land & Pineapple Company property. The world’s premier off-road triathlon event will utilize the Village Walking Trails at the old Village Golf Course for the running  and biking portions of the event. The swimming leg of the race takes place at D.T. Fleming Beach located just north of The  Ritz-Carlton Kapalua resort. The brand new course boasts equally grueling conditions with a 1.5-kilometer (1 mile) roughwater swim, followed by a  29.5-kilometer (18.3 mile) mountain bike on the lower slopes of the West Maui Mountains, and a 9.8-kilometer (6.1-mile) trail run. The 16th Annual XTERRA World Championship field includes a capacity field of 650 athletes from 28 countries and 42  US states including professionals and amateurs. The championship race takes place at 9 a.m. on Sunday, October 23, 2011. Event organizers say the first place athlete is expected to finish at approximately 11:30 a.m. The spectator area will be along Fleming Beach and the Transition Area/Finish Line on the poolside lawn at The Ritz-Carlton  Kapalua. Event parking is at the ball field behind the preschool at Kapalua. Leading up to the Championship event, is a series of amateur events on Saturday, October 22, including: Duke’s Beach  House XTERRA 10K, the Hula Grill XTERRA 5K, and the Kimo’s Keiki K for kids ten and under. The 10K and 5K races are open  to all, and benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui County.