XTERRA triathlon coming to Ruidoso next summer

RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) – As wildfires and floods devastated Ruidoso, the village is now hoping a big new event can help move it forward. Officials hope that XTERRA, an international triathlon, can help bring people back to the area.“It really helps re-instill hope in the community that we’re moving forward,” said Village of Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford.

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That feeling of hope in Ruidoso is tied to a new event that is still planned to come to the area after months of major challenges. This summer’s South Fork and Salt wildfires, along with burn scar flooding, devastated Ruidoso and the surrounding community.

Though tourism has been impacted, the village said things are looking up, pointing to a new partnership with XTERRA which plans to hold a big triathlon. “This event we’re hoping will bring in a lot of new faces to the village and spread the positive word that the village is fine and good to go and we’re open for business,” said Village of Ruidoso Planning and Development Leader Eddie Ryan.

XTERRA said next August they’ll add a stop in Ruidoso on their Off-Road Challenge, a part of their Americas Tour. The main triathlon race features a mile long swim, an 18-mile mountain bike ride, and a six mile trail run. The main event will allow athletes to compete for a world championship qualification. They also plan to have a shorter distance triathlon and a youth race.

The venues they’ll use, including Grindstone Lake and Wingfield Park, are areas that didn’t see any major impact from flooding or fire. The village hopes the event will bring about 6,000 visitors and up to $8 million to the local economy.

“We are in the process of rebuilding. This is something for our businesses to look forward to,” said Crawford.

The village said there’s an opportunity for the race to come back again over the next three to five years. The triathlon will be from August 15-17 and it’s the first time XTERRA has held the event in New Mexico.

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