XTERRA ITALY: Live More! You can, or you can not!
Publikováno:
2016-06-21 15:53:04
Kategorie:
Races
Martina Sochůrková
Nationality: Czech
Lives In: Prague, Czech Republic
Experience: passionate athlete, athlete age group in duathlon and running, university teacher, specializes in ICT, Internet marketing and various sectors of e-commerce.
XTERRA ITALY: Live More! You can, or you can not!
As the title suggests, today's article will be devoted to a brand that is well known both in the world of off-road triathlon to the runners community who are dedicated to the trail. Who knows that starting in this way a little 'unusual, we can instill a bit more courage to those who pursue their sporting dreams every day! Since my childhood, I was attracted to sport and nature; in fact, for 9 years I practiced at a competitive level different disciplines of artistic gymnastics. I dropped out of sports for a short time, but soon feeling the lack of movement and the benefits that sport brings I soon started again. Fate has gradually led me to look out at the world of athletics, especially by engaging in races, especially in nature, through the woods in front of the house. Over time I added a passion for mountain biking to my hobbies also, and since I was already running through the beautiful forests of the natural park where I live, I was able to discover a new way of doing hard work. Later I started swimming because of small back problems, and finding it beneficial over time I increased my water skills. I must say that every time I go out of the water can not wait to go back again! Naturally, the next step was to combine these three beautiful sports by creating the conditions to practice the much dreamed triathlon. Until then I had never thought of how to really get there, but over time- about a year and a half ago - I started to increase training, combining them into fun and effective workout plans, and I realized that I can do it. As a passionate nature lover, I started looking for races in nature, so-called off-road races. In a short time, I managed to find the leading brand of off-road triathlon: XTERRA.
Hence, the ability to write an article about my dream XTERRA was definitely a great honor for me. And who else could give me the best information on this fantastic world? Mr. Wolf Hardt, organizer of XTERRA Italy, kindly granted me an interview to explain better the organization of this event and its satellite events, and of course the mission, purpose, and the XTERRA brand policy. Mr. Wolf Hardt started as a professional 25 years ago, also in the organizational world of sports events. We had an interesting chat and he gave us a very charming insight into the behind the scenes of the organizational machine of XTERRA Italy. The interview with Mr. Wolf was quite thorough and deeply fascinating. He is a professional who definitely knows what he’s talking about. During his career, he worked in the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and France. After being responsible for Marketing Department for Ironman, the European Headquarters has been able to bring an Ironman 70.3 race to Italy, precisely in Pescara, where he held marketing activities for the first two years, deciding later to devote himself exclusively to the Italian XTERRA brand.
XTERRA was formed in 1996. With 20 years of history, XTERRA is a worldwide phenomenon and spreads its philosophy all over the world. So what is the concept of XTERRA and what types of races are organized? Every country can organize an XTERRA event, a single international off-road triathlon where competitors can qualify to the World Cup final in Maui, Hawaii, surely the dream of every XTERRA athlete. Normal race distances consist of 1.5km swimming, between 32 to 40 km of mountain biking and between 10 and 12 km of running. In Italy, there is an international race XTERRA, the Italian league at the Lake Scanno in the hinterland, about 600 participants who compete annually in their respective categories to obtain slots for the final Hawaiiana. This year's event will be held on July 31, 2016 so that athletes and fans might also attend the 515OLIMPIC Road triathlon happening the week before at the same location. So some triathlon enthusiasts can spend two weekends or a whole week together with some of the world’s top athletes in beautiful Scanno at the famous heart-shaped lake. One of the advantages of having the XTERRA license is the possibility to organize different types of sporting events with this brand. So, XTERRA Italy will host the event in October, called TRAILDAYS, dedicated to off-road riders and their followers, giving the opportunity to the athletes to compete for the title of the XTERRA World Championship in Hawaii where TRAILRUN is held every year in December in an atmosphere of celebration and fun.
XXTERRA, often called its’ athletes “tribes” - groups of passionate, true warriors who love outdoor sports and tougher challenges in nature. XTERRA is a great organization that takes care of the details from the start of the race until the finish line, without leaving anything to chance. Every race is special and has a different atmosphere. The race is not just a competition place, but a great event in which athletes can enjoy nature and the atmosphere of the place. Lake Scanno again will host athletes from around the world for the fourth edition of 'XTERRA Italy, emphasizing the international nature of this race. Athletes are often guests of family-run hotes, thus having the chance to experience the Italian culture and traditions of the place for the duration of their stay. XTERRA Italy’s international media platform conveys the image of the area and supports tourism in Scanno. The philosophy of XTERRA is to involve the entire community and to collaborate with local small businesses. For example, one traditional local pastry prepares cakes in the shape of X, two excellent things in one product. Some local jewelers produce necklaces with medallions with the X symbol for the participants of the race.
Italian hospitality is renowned throughout the world and the pampered, relaxed atmosphere has a positive psychological effect on athletes.
I hope to realize my dream one day ... XTERRA. Maybe six months, maybe in two years ... It does not matter when, but I know one day I'm going to enjoy this fantastic, unique experience called XTERRA. When that time comes, you will experience my preparation with me. I will document the previous months of my journey all the way up to the dream called XTERRA, perhaps enticing some of you to jump into this great adventure!
Do you want to know more? Visit official website www.xterra-italy.com.
You are stronger than you think! Be part of the tribe!
Martina Sochůrková
