Lodging
Relax in comfort at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel, or one of our convenient condos.
2023 XTERRA Trail Run
5K, 10K, Half & Full Marathon
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Sept 30 - Oct 1 -
5K &10K Registration open -
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
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.
Daily Schedule
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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
Dining
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Strokes Bar & Grille
Closed for the season | Overlooking the Sugarloaf Golf Club, serving cocktails, breakfast, lunch, and dinner all summer.
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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.
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Sports & Fitness Center Cafe
Open Daily, 10am-7pm Sunday-Thursday & 10am-9pm Friday-Saturday | Located on Mountainside Road.
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Mas Amigos
Open Thursday-Saturday, 4-9pm | Mas Amigos brings Mexican-style fare to Western Maine - Located in Village West.
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D'Ellies
Open Daily, 8am-3pm | Serving breakfast and lunch in the Village... it's all about the bread.
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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.
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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.
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Sugarloaf Trailblazers #1 - Meet Lidia Ramos Palacios and Adam Hawkins
Sugarloaf Trailblazers #1
En Route to the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship
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Sugarloaf Trailblazers #2 - Meet Claudia Urrea and Brian Welsh
Sugarloaf Trailblazers #2
En Route to the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship
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Sugarloaf Trailblazers #3 - Meet Lisa Currier and Christine Doran
Sugarloaf Trailblazers #3
En Route to the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship
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Sugarloaf Trailblazers #4 - Meet Dan Holbrook, Paul Jenkins, and Tom Miller
Sugarloaf Trailblazers #4
En Route to the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship
It Takes A Village
Sponsors
Get Involved
Interested in volunteering, becoming a vendor, or Race Partner/Sponsor? Contact Trent Labbe for more information.
