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2023 XTERRA Trail Run

5K, 10K, Half & Full Marathon

  • calendar icon
    Sept 30 - Oct 1
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    5K &10K Registration open
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    Events All Weekend
Sugarloaf Mountain has been chosen as the pinnacle event for the  XTERRA Trail Run World Series.  A weekend-long trail running festival that will see top elite and amateur runners compete for $10,000 in prize money and XTERRA championship crowns in both full and half marathon distances.  Live music, great food, and family entertainment will keep the energy high throughout the weekend, with 5K and 10K trail runs, and races for kids to ensure everybody can get involved.
Hit The Trails

Race Info

Known for our “trail paradise”, Sugarloaf is home to over 60 miles of twisting tree-lined trails from base elevation at 1,417 feet to our mountain peak at 4,237 feet, offering a breathtaking natural environment filled with roots and rocks, stream crossings, and unexpected vistas for runners along the way. 

The Sugarloaf festival event weekend is considered the pinnacle event in the XTERRA Trail Run World Series that features 30 qualifying races across 20 countries attracting more than 1,000 professional & amateur athletes and spectators. Marathon (42k) and Half-Marathon (21k) options are available as well as a “Racing Duo” category.

Things that are certain for both races include starts and finishes at the base of Sugarloaf Resort, a steep, rocky, and slow climb up to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, and some flat-smooth-and-fast sections through the valley that will feel like running on air. There are miles of trails undulating by idyllic mountain rivers and rails-to-trails sections made up of crushed packed stones that are “smooth and easy” for any age. 

Over the years, the team at Sugarloaf in conjunction with the Carrabassett Region Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association (CRNEMBA), Maine Huts & Trails,  and the town of Carrabassett Valley have developed a truly world-class network that is maintained and improved year-round and has lured big events like the mountain biking Enduro World Series. 

Course Preview

Trail Run World Championship Course Preview | XTERRA TRWS 2023 Trail Run World Championship Course Preview | XTERRA TRWS 2023

5K & 10K Trail Runs

Saturday, September 30

Home to 60 miles of twisting tree-lined trails the XTERRA 5K & 10k will not disappoint. Open to ages 6 and up the course is set with Sugarloaf as its backdrop, and will follow wooded trails from the Sugarloaf Base Area to Sugarloaf Outdoor Center's network and loop back with close to 500 feet of elevation gain. Breathtaking vistas, roots, rocks, and stream crossings create a natural environment for all levels of ability.

Half & Full Marathon Trail Runs

Sunday, October 1

Marathoners can expect a tough 40-kilometer course featuring more than 1,000 meters of climbing, and half that for the 21K runners. Exact course routing has yet to be determined and with so many spectacular options it’s certain the course designing gurus from XTERRA and the Sugarloaf Mountain Ops team will take as much time as they can to create their masterpiece in the mountains.

Registration

    • Ages 6 & up

      Sugarloaf Trail Run

      • 5K race will be held Saturday, September 30
      • Runners ages 6 & up are welcome to race in the fun 5K  trail runs.
      • Register now; Price increases on September 1. 

    • Ages 6 & up

      Sugarloaf Trail Run

      • 10K race will be held Saturday, September 30
      • Runners ages 6 & up are welcome to race in the fun 10K trail runs.
      • Register now; Price increases on September 1. 

    • Ages 10 & Under

      Kids Free Sprint

      • Kids Sprint will be held Saturday, September 30 
      • Groups will be split to provide an age-appropriate distance for each participant.
      • Parents will be permitted to run alongside their young children if necessary.
      • Registration in advance is required.
    • Ages 9 & up

      Sugarloaf Trail Half Marathon

      • Half Marathon will be held Sunday, October 1
      • The XTERRA Sugarloaf Trail Half Marathon features the same great course as the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship.
      • All runners ages 15 & up are welcome to compete in this division.
      • Race as an individual or try our new XTERRA DUO category where you and a friend will start, and finish, together.
    • Ages 15 & up

      Sugarloaf Trail Full Marathon

      • Full Marathon will be held Sunday, October 1 
      • The XTERRA Sugarloaf Trail Full Marathon features the same great course as the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship.
      • All runners ages 15 & up are welcome to compete in this division.
      • Race as an individual or try our new XTERRA DUO category where you and a friend will start, and finish, together.
Bands, Beer Garden & More

Festival Info

Make it a weekend The weekend will be filled with fun for the whole family including a free Kid’s Sprint Race, Axe Throwing, yard games, vendor booths, outdoor bar & grill, live music, and more!

Spectator Info

Spectators can purchase tickets online to ride up the lift to access viewing spots along the course. The lift will be open Saturday & Sunday from 10am-4pm. 

As the event takes place in numerous location sacross the mountain, several specating opportunities are within walking distance of the base area. See specator map below. 

course map

Daily Schedule 

  • Time Event Location
    11am-5pm Beach Bar & Grill will be serving food and beverages outside.  The Beach 
    2-5:30pm Athlete Check-in at Guest Services Base Lodge
    2- 5pm Live Music by Jason Mancine Band The Beach
    6pm  Welcome Dinner for Athletes presented by Franklin Savings Bank, Maine Sports Commission and Maine Office of Tourism  Kingpine Room 
  • Time Event Location
    7-9am Athlete Check-in 5K/10K at Guest Services  Base Lodge
    9am- 5pm  Athlete Check-in Half & Full Marathon at Guest Services Base Lodge
    9am-5pm XTERRA Expo Open  Sugarloaf Village
    9:30am 10K Trail Run Start Sugarloaf Village
    9:35am 5K Trail Run Start  Sugarloaf Village
    10:30am 5K Award Ceremony  The Beach
    11:15am 10K Award Ceremony  The Beach
    11am  “Party in the Woods”  Brought to you by Baxter Brewing.  Debut of the one-of-a-kind brewed just for this the event, XTERRA Champagne Seltzer.  Warming Hut at the Outdoor Center 
    12-2pm Live Music by Chicken Street Band  The Beach 
    1pm  Kids Sprint Race  Sugarloaf Village 
    2-5pm Axe throwing with Splittin' Wood The Landing 
    3pm-5:30pm Live Music by Juke Joint Devils The Beach 
  • Time Event Location
    6-7am Athlete Check-in Sugarloaf Village
    7:30am Marathon Start  Sugarloaf Village 
    8:30am Half Marathon Start Sugarloaf Village 
    11am  “Party in the Woods”  Brought to you by Baxter Brewing.  Debut of the one-of-a-kind brewed just for this the event, XTERRA Champagne Seltzer.  Warming Hut at the Outdoor Center 
    12:30pm Sugarloaf Half Marathon Award Ceremony  The Beach 
    1:30pm Sugarloaf Marathon Award Ceremony  The Beach 
    2pm Half & Full Marathon World Championship Award Ceremony The Beach 
    3-6pm Live Music by Rose Alley The Beach
    6:30-8:30pm Live Music by Dyer & The Daydreamers The Beach 
    9pm-12am After party with DJ Max Dansky The Beach
Where's the action?

Dining

  • Strokes Bar & Grille

    Closed for the season | Overlooking the Sugarloaf Golf Club, serving cocktails, breakfast, lunch, and dinner all summer.

  • 45 North

    Open Daily, 7-10am & 4-9pm | Located at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel, serving modern Maine classics for breakfast, dinner, and après; Takeout available.

  • Sports & Fitness Center Cafe

    Open Daily, 10am-7pm Sunday-Thursday & 10am-9pm Friday-Saturday | Located on Mountainside Road.

  • The Bag & Kettle

    Open daily | Serving Bag Burgers and great beer since 1969.

  • Mas Amigos

    Open Thursday-Saturday, 4-9pm | Mas Amigos brings Mexican-style fare to Western Maine - Located in Village West.

  • D'Ellies

    Open Daily, 8am-3pm | Serving breakfast and lunch in the Village... it's all about the bread.

  • The Rack

    Open Wednesday-Sunday, 4-9pm | Independently owned and operated, The Rack offers burgers, beer, and barbeque at the bottom of the Access Road.

  • Hug's Italian Restaurant

    Opening on December 1 | Serving Italian cuisine in Carrabassett Valley.

Results & Awards

Timing results are provided by All Sports Events. Results can be found here.

Awards will be held on The Beach following the race. The top finishers will receive a beautiful handmade axe created by Brant & Cochran

Recap Video

Recap Video Trail Run World Championship Race Highlights | XTERRA TRWS 2023

Meet the Athletes

Sugarloaf Trailblazers is an ongoing series written by Brittany Vermeer, with more stories to come from those preparing to take their place on the starting line of the XTERRA Trail Run world Championship in Maine, USA.

It Takes A Village

Sponsors

Get Involved 

Interested in volunteering, becoming a vendor, or Race Partner/Sponsor?  Contact Trent Labbe for more information.