Xterra Southeast Champs Set For Saturday
Xterra heads to Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama this Saturday, May 18, for the Xterra Southeast championships.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Five weeks after the West Championships kicked off the U.S. Pro Series season, Xterra heads to Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama this Saturday, May 18, for the Xterra Southeast championships. Both defending champions Conrad Stoltz (RSA) and Lesley Paterson (SCO) will be the ones to beat on this beautiful course.
Men’s Race
Stoltz has made this race a staple on his calendar and loves the terrain of the area, even going as far as to say “this Xterra Alabama course is like Heaven on Earth” on Twitter earlier this week. Last year’s runner-up Craig Evans (USA) is also back and will be looking to find his way to the top of the podium.
Returning to the U.S. Xterra circuit is Dan Hugo (RSA), who had his 2012 season cut short after a bike crash. The most consistent athlete of late, Xterra West Champion Josiah Middaugh (USA), will also compete on Saturday. While Stoltz has dominated in Alabama with six-straight wins since 2007 (Brent McMahon won the inaugural race in 2006), both Hugo and Middaugh have finished second twice here.
Women’s Race
Paterson, the two-time reigning Xterra World Champion, has blown away the women’s field in her latest Xterra races and even finished fourth-place overall (including the men) at the Xterra West Championships last month. The technical nature of the course may help past winners Melanie McQuaid (CAN) and Shonny Vanlandingham (USA) keep Paterson within striking distance.
Check back Saturday for a recap from Alabama.
PHOTOS: 2012 Xterra Southeast Championships
Xterra Southeast Championship Pro Start List
Rank – Men – Age, Hometown
1 – Josiah Middaugh – 34, Eagle-Vail, Colorado
2 – Conrad Stoltz – 39, Stellenbosch, South Africa
3 – Branden Rakita – 32, Colorado Springs, Colorado
6 – Craig Evans – 35, Hendersonville, Tennessee
7 – Jason Michalak – 35, Crested Butte, Colorado
8 – Matt Mangen – 30, Ivins, Utah
9 – Will Kelsay – 31, Boulder, Colorado
10 – Brian Astell – 32, Gualala, California
12 – Nick Fisher – 27, Ogden, Utah
15 – Damian Gonzalez – 36, Stockton, California
NR – Tom Eickelberg – 24, Cortland, New York
NR - Chris Ganter – 34, Boise, Idaho
NR – Dan Hugo – 27, Stellenbosch, South Africa
NR - James McCurdy – 28, Auburn, Alabama
NR – Will Ross – 23, Anchorage, Alaska
NR - Tim Snow – 37, Brockton, Massachussetts
NR – Cody Waite – 34, Lakewood, Colorado
NR – Bradley Weiss – 24, Cape Town, South Africa
Rank – Women – Age, Hometown
1 – Lesley Paterson – 32, San Diego, California
2 – Suzie Snyder – 31, Fredericksburg, Virginia
3 – Shonny Vanlandingham – 43, Durango, Colorado
4 – Melanie McQuaid – 39, Victoria, B.C., Canada
5 – Danelle Kabush – 37, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
7 – Emma Garrard – 30, Park City, Utah
11 – Brandi Heisterman – 37, Squamish, B.C., Canada
12 – Caroline Colonna – 48, Taos, New Mexico
14 - Christine Jeffrey – 40, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
NR – Chantell Widney – 32, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
NR – Katie Button – 28, Victoria, B.C., Canada
NR - Hallie Blunck – 28, Birmingham, Alabama
NR – Heather Holmes – 32, Atlanta, Georgia
Note: Rank indicates their position in 2013 XTERRA U.S. Pro Series standings, NR = not ranked.
Our Twitter followers are the first to know about the latest in triathlon news. Follow us now @Triathletemag.