Cross-triathlon/Cross-duathlon

What is cross-triathlon/cross-duathlon?

Cross-triathlon: consists of a combination of open-water swimming, mountain biking and trail running. It takes place off-road on hilly terrain. Several distances are available, depending on the age and level of participants.

Cross-duathlon: consists of trail running, mountain biking and a second trail run. It takes place off-road on hilly terrain from spring to autumn. Several distances are offered, depending on the age and level of participants.

History

Born in the United States, cross-triathlon (off-road triathlon) has been booming since the early 2000s thanks to the Xterra international circuit.

The first European international competition was held in Spain in 2007. Organized by the European Triathlon Federation, it was followed in 2011 by the International Triathlon Federation, which organized the World Triathlon Championship. National federations followed suit, notably the French Triathlon Federation, which created its first championship in 2013.

In Quebec, Alain Deraspe, the instigator of XTERRA Québec, which saw the light of day in August 2014, has been working with Triathlon Québec for a number of years to help cross-triathlon flourish.