No XTERRA Beaver Creek in 2024: Eagle County endurance athletes react to ‘disappointing’ news

For the first summer since 2009, Eagle County XTERRA athletes won’t have an off-road triathlon in their backyard — and they’re not too happy about it.

“Very disappointed we aren’t having the XTERRA race here, as it was the only reason I made the switch from Ironman and road triathlon to the off-road,” said Greg Snellings, 56, of Vail.

“Definitely disappointed Beaver Creek XTERRA is no longer,” added Gypsum’s Kyle Walker, who finished first in the 50-54 age group at the 2023 event. “(I) feel like XTERRA brought a world-class event to the valley for athletes.”

“Similar to everyone else, I’m also disappointed that XTERRA Beaver Creek isn’t happening,” said Suzie Snyder. The six-time U.S. champion — who began her pro career at the Beaver Creek event — admitted to having a “love/hate relationship” with the race but was still “sad to see it go.”

“For anyone who likes a challenge, this race certainly provided that,” she continued. “And as a professional and a local, it was a really nice perk to be able to earn some prize money without having to spend any on travel.”

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Fifteen-time U.S. champion Josiah Middaugh said having the premiere event staged on his stomping grounds fostered “a local community of off-road triathletes.”

“Colorado has always been a force in XTERRA and this small valley has always filled the podium in all of the age groups,” he said. “I am worried that we will lose some of that without a championship race in the mountain region.”

In her first XTERRA event, Jordan Shomaker won her age group in last year’s sprint race. The 32-year-old Gypsum resident thought about replacing Beaver Creek with an event in Portland this August, but can’t afford the travel costs.

“(I) am disappointed and negatively impacted by the decision to not hold the race in Beaver Creek this year,” she said, adding she “would have probably never tried an XTERRA race if it wasn’t held at Beaver Creek.”

The same can be said for Kaitlyn Musick, who finished two spots behind Shomaker in her triathlon debut. “It was exciting to have a local following and see friends from the trails competing on home turf. I probably wouldn’t have done a triathlon had this event not been here,” she said. “It helped me try something totally out of my comfort zone.”

Steve Andrus, XTERRA U.S. tour manager, said “scheduling conflicts” with Beaver Creek Resort Company prevented the event from being held this summer. Originally, Beaver Creek Resort Company proposed June 22 or June 29 as possible options, but Andrus stated those would not work because “the trails we access for the race that are on U.S. Forest Service lands are closed until July due to the elk migration/mating closures.”

Beaver Creek Resort Company declined to comment on the matter.

Andrus said the preferred timing for XTERRA Beaver Creek was July. Even though the 2024 event would not have served as the newly rebranded XTERRA North American championship — which took place in Alabama last month — it would have been one of the seven XTERRA World Cup stops, Andrus said.

The Utah resident is optimistic for a return, but it said it likely won’t be until 2026 at the earliest. As the brand “seeks to grow nationally and internationally,” he said the focus is “on the overall experience of the event.”

“It’s the inclusion of the community with the athletes and the athletes to the communities,” Andrus said. “Giving these athletes an opportunity to have more than just a race but an actual experience — that’s our focus as we grow XTERRA.”

Andrus acknowledged age-group athletes and amateurs as a significant priority within that vision.

“That is really where a lot of our energy and focus is: that experience for those who are new to triathlon or getting off the couch for the first time in several years and giving them the opportunity to challenge themselves,” he said.

“It’s important we have the elite racing, but just as important if not more, the age-groupers’ experience — and that is really what we’re looking at growing and focusing on now within our new event structures that we have.”

Snyder has experienced the Beaver Creek event from both amateur and professional viewpoints.

“No matter the category, this event has always been hard enough to spark a healthy fear of the discomfort I’ll experience on race day, which also sparks high motivation levels to train hard in preparation,” she said.

The trails at Beaver Creek have at times not been optimal for such training, Snyder and others said.

“I do wish Beaver Creek would do a little more in the form of trail maintenance,” Snyder added.

“It seems like they really don’t put much if any effort into maintaining or improving the trails, which is pretty frustrating for those of us who actually like to ride on the mountain regularly. It seemed like having the race here was the only reason Corkscrew had any trail work done on it in the last 10 years, which was desperately needed as it was in terrible condition.”

Walker, who started the sport because of the Beaver Creek XTERRA event, agreed and expanded upon the sentiment.

“(I) have felt that Beaver Creek Resort gradually became unwelcoming to the race,” he stated.  

Another recurring theme the XTERRA community expressed was how XTERRA Beaver Creek served as their distinct annual get-together.

“We have so many wine tastings, Oktoberfest, and alcohol-based gatherings in the valley,” said Musick.

“XTERRA was an outlet for me to participate in something meaningful and rewarding, giving me a chance to meet other athletes that share like-minded interests … it gave me confidence to pursue new hobbies and even try swimming.”

Shomaker agreed.

“There are so many events in the Vail Valley that cater to concerts, tourism, and snow sports, but this is a one-of-a-kind athletic event,” she said. “(Not having it) lets down many incredible local athletes.”