Xterra Arrives in the Amazon Rain Forest
News Release / 19.04.2010
XTERRA, the most important cross triathlon event in the world, is ready to explore the most important forest in the planet: the Amazon Forest.The I XTERRA Amazon will take place in the weekend of 4-5 June 2010, with 1.5km swim in the Rio Negro (river), 30km MTB in the jungle and another 9km trail run in native forest area. It is a challenge for a lucky few people. Not only because of the location itself, but also because there is a limited number of places for athletes. There will be 200 Brazilian triathletes, along with top XTERRA names such as Dan Hugo (South Africa), Conrad Stoltz (South Africa), Brian Smith (USA), Jammie Smith (USA), among other. Top Brazilians to show up are Alexandre Manzan (former ITU World Champion) and Alexandre Ribeiro (current Hawaii Ultraman champion).
Within a few hours of opening of the applications for participants almost half of the available places were taken. There will be a prize money of around US$ 4.000 for Elite Female and Male triathlon categories. Along with the XTERRA Triathlon, there will be the XTERRA Trail Run (5km or 10km) and the Kids Trail Run, both in Manaus, the capital of the Amazon State. To take part in the event go to http://www.facebook.com/l/f2c34;www.xterrabrasil.com.br
"We have chosen the International Day of the Environment to organize this most special edition of XTERRA Brazil in the heart of the biggest biome on Earth", says organizer Bernardo Fonseca, whose company X3M Sports Business owns the rights for XTERRA in Latin America.
There will be a true "war operation" to bring athletes, staff and media to the starting gate in the middle of the forest:
"We will leave Manaus using military cars and will enter a military training site. About 150 soldiers, plus trucks and helicopters will help us with the logistics. We are doing all we can to ensure the security of all participants", adds Fonseca.
On Friday prior to the competition, all athletes will go to the briefing with their bikes, which will be taken by the Brazilian Army to the starting place. At 4AM, the cars will leave Manaus in a memorable experience through the jungle. Once in the Military Training Site, there will be breakfast for all and after the race, all participants will have lunch together there.
In 2010, the Brazilian XTERRA Circuit offers 11 stages, one being the XTERRA Global Tour in Agra dos Reis/Rio de Janeiro, in September, which qualifies for the final of the Global Tour in Hawaii.
