More than 1,500 athletes from 45 states and 10 countries will test themselves this weekend when the XTERRA Nationals makes its final tour stop of the season at Snowbasin Resort.
In what is being called a "best of the best" finale, defending champion Josiah Middaugh from the U.S., Conrad Stoltz and Dan Hugo from South Africa will be joined by former XTERRA champions Ben Allen (Australia) and Europeans Nicolas Lebrun, Ruben Rufaza and Leonardo Chacon.
Ogden's Nick Fisher, having a breakout season in his first year as a pro, also will compete.
Race organizers are calling the Utah event "perhaps the deepest pro field in history with 50 elites from 10 countries."
Competition gets under way Saturday with the off-road triathlon, followed by Sunday's Trail Run National Championship, but festivities begin Friday in downtown Ogden with the XTERRA Expo,that runs from noon to 6 p.m. A Friday night block party will follow from 8-10 p.m.
The weekend stop in Utah caps a 70-race nationwide series.
XTERRA Nationals
Saturday and Sunday
At Snowbasin Resort
Saturday, 9 a.m. USA Championship triathlon.
Sunday, 9 a.m. Trail Run National Championship.