XTERRA Weston Park 2026 Race Preview: England’s Off-Road Triathlon Championship
Race Overview
XTERRA Weston Park 2026 takes place from 1-3 May at the stunning Weston Park estate in Staffordshire, hosting the English Cross Triathlon Championships as part of the XTERRA Europe World Tour. If you are looking for an off-road triathlon with spectacular scenery, a welcoming atmosphere and genuine World Tour competition, this is the UK race of the spring.
The Venue
Weston Park is a 1,000-acre country estate with a Grade I-listed mansion, ornamental lakes and mature woodland trails. The estate provides the perfect natural amphitheatre for off-road triathlon, with spectator-friendly sections through the parkland and around the lake. On-site camping is available for the full weekend, making it a brilliant long-weekend race experience.
Race Formats Available
- XTERRA Full: 1.5km open water swim, 30km mountain bike, 10km trail run — English Cross Triathlon Championship distance
- XTERRA Sprint: 750m swim, 15km MTB, 5km trail run — ideal for XTERRA newcomers
- Super Sprint: Shortened course for beginner off-roaders and junior competitors
- Off-Road Duathlon: For those who want the run-bike-run experience without the swim
What Makes XTERRA Different
Unlike road triathlon, XTERRA requires a mountain bike and off-road running shoes rather than a TT bike and race flats. The swim is still in open water, so a wetsuit is essential for UK spring temperatures. The mountain bike leg is the wildcard — technical singletrack, roots, mud and descents favour bike handling skills as much as raw power, levelling the playing field against pure road cyclists.
Gravel Triathlon and the Growing Off-Road Scene
XTERRA Weston Park sits at the centre of a booming UK off-road triathlon scene. Events like the Outlaw Holkham Gravel Sprint in July 2026 are drawing thousands of road triathletes curious about gravel and trail racing. XTERRA remains the gold standard of off-road, and Weston Park is one of the most accessible entry points for British athletes looking to try the format for the first time.
Key Race Info
- Dates: 1-3 May 2026
- Location: Weston Park, Weston-under-Lizard, Shifnal, Shropshire TF11 8LE
- On-site camping: Available for the full weekend
- Series: XTERRA Europe World Tour — points count towards the XTERRA World Championship slot allocation
- Registration: Via xterraplanet.com
