Southern Hospitality Welcomes Back the XTERRA North American Championship

May 13, 2026

/ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – XTERRA returns to Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham from May 15-17, marking the 18th time the event has been hosted on the trails of Shelby County. Set inside Alabama’s largest state park, the weekend also brings the XTERRA North American Championship back to a venue known for red clay singletrack, lakefront views, tall pines, and the kind of Southern hospitality that makes new and returning athletes, families, volunteers, and friends feel at home.

The three-day event also serves as stop 4 of the 2026 XTERRA World Cup, opening Friday with the fast-paced Short Track Triathlon. Saturday brings an open 5K trail run for all ages and abilities, alongside the XTERRA Youth North American Championship, which will coincide with the USA Triathlon Youth and Junior Cross National Championship.

The weekend closes Sunday with the Full Distance Triathlon, where elite and age group athletes from the continent will also compete for North American titles. Food, music, kids’ activities, stargazing, and a relaxed event village gives the weekend a full community feel.

A.J. Petrillo from Blue Ridge, Georgia, has been connected to Oak Mountain and XTERRA for over 17 years, and the weekend still feels like the same kind of gathering that first drew him in. “You just pull up and you feel this vibe and you feel this family and everybody’s there having a good time. It’s competitive when the gun goes off, but before that it’s like, ‘How can I help you? Can I show you the course?’”

Weekend highlights and key moments will be shared on XTERRA Americas Instagram.

View full preview and event photos for publication and social media use.

About XTERRA

Born on the Hawaiian shores of Maui in 1996, XTERRA has grown into a global outdoor lifestyle brand rooted in exploration, community, and care for the natural world. With deep roots in off-road racing, XTERRA now inspires connection through events, storytelling, and apparel built to move through nature. From local gatherings to world-class events, XTERRA is a way of life shaped by the land beneath our feet and the stories we share along the way.