Multisport legend Conrad Stoltz will return to the South African racing circuit after a blistering year on the international circuit to defend his title at the 2007/2008 DUESOUTH XTERRA South African Finals presented by Nissan on Saturday, 19 April 2008.
Stoltz made an impressive comeback to the multisport arena at last year's event after being out of circulation due to a serious injury sustained prior to the XTERRA USA Championships.
Six months after breaking his wrist in seven places and severely injuring his back, Stoltz had a triumphant race in Grabouw to successfully defend his title as South African champion. His superb performance on the day was an accurate indication of things to come and in October 2007, he became the first man to win three XTERRA World Championship titles (he also won in 2001 and 2002).
According to Stoltz, even though he spends most of his time abroad racing in international XTERRA events, the DUESOUTH XTERRA South African finals is the one event that he never misses.
"I am really excited to be back in Stellenbosch. The training here is great and there are a lot of athletes and friends to train with. I can't wait to see the course in Grabouw as this is what draws me to the event each year, it is excellent. My biggest goal is to win my 5th DUESOUTH XTERRA SA title. My next event after the South African Championships is XTERRA Temecula, USA," says Stoltz.
The South African XTERRA finals in April 2008 form part of the XTERRA Global Tour and will offer competitors the opportunity to qualify for the world championship final in Hawaii.
The DUESOUTH XTERRA is open to individual athletes or teams of three and consists of a 1.5km swim, 25km mountain bike and 10km trail run discipline. Newcomers to the sport can compete in the XTERRA LITE, which will consist of a 400m swim, 12km mountain bike and 5km trail run and also caters for individual athletes as well as teams of three.
This year energetic runners and serious walkers are also invited to compete in either the XTERRA 5km or 10km Trail Run. Both XTERRA trail run courses will take walkers/runners across scenic cross-country tracks and offers the opportunity to test your off-road running skills, while taking in the beauty of Grabouw.
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