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U.S. Elite Triathlete Sullivan Middaugh Wins XTERRA North American Championship

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by USA Triathlon

Triathlete Sullivan Middaugh crosses the finish line at XTERRA North American Championships. He is holding the finish line tape.

PELHAM, Ala. — U.S. elite triathlete Sullivan Middaugh won the North American Championship Short Track title on May 18 at the 2025 XTERRA North American Championship in Alabama's Oak Mountain State Park. The second-ever XTERRA North American Championship challenged elite, age group, and youth off-road athletes on a course featuring red clay trails of one of the most respected off-road venues in the United States.

Middaugh, a rising U.S. star who trains with USA Triathlon's Project Podium, defended his 2024 North American Championship Short Track title in a close finish, holding off France's Felix Forissier. A day before in the Full Distance race, the positions were flipped, with Middaugh on the podium in second and Forissier taking the win.

Middaugh is the son of off-road triathlon legend Josiah Middaugh, who has won the XTERRA USA Championship 15 times across his illustrious career. His younger brother Porter also trains with Project Podium, USA Triathlon's elite development squad based in Tempe, Arizona.

Sullivan Middaugh, who grew up in Colorado's Vail Valley mountain biking and trail running, is chasing goals both in the World Triathlon draft-legal triathlon racing scene and XTERRA.

“I've got a draft-legal road goal and then I've also got an XTERRA goal,” Sullivan Middaugh told XTERRA. “XTERRA is a really awesome way to put in some variety, and I also enjoy it a lot. It's what I grew up with: mountain biking, trail running, and you're out in nature. That’s really my jam and why I'm doing both.”

Age Group & Youth Athletes Earn Their Titles

‍Leah Roberts (USA, 40–44) led the way, putting together the fastest overall time among age group women at 3:23:43. Tiffany Hill (USA, 30–34) and Tory Sigmond (USA, 35–39) each earned wins in their divisions, while Isabella Hyser (USA, 20–24) impressed with a strong result close to home. Amari Graber (USA, 25–29) stayed consistent throughout to come away with her first age group title.

‍Tricia Davis (USA, 55–59) secured her title, and Lucia Colbert (USA, 65–69) became the oldest female age group winner of the weekend, adding another chapter to her long XTERRA journey.

On the men’s side, James McCurdy (USA, 40–44) turned in the fastest age group time of the day at 2:48:36. Spencer Martin (USA, 30–34) handled the course well to earn his own age group win, joining a long list of North American champions crowned across the divisions.

Trent Niemeyer (USA, 45–49) led his group with a confident performance. Cliff Milleman (USA, 65–69) stood out in his category with a strong result, while Frank George (USA, 75–79), the oldest man in the field, completed the course and earned well-deserved recognition at the finish line.

The next generation of off-road talent took center stage at Oak Mountain for the first-ever XTERRA North American Youth Championship, featuring titles for Youth A (14–15), Youth B (16–17), and Juniors (18–19). Youth A athletes raced Friday’s Super Sprint course (400M swim, 8K bike, 2K run), while Youth B and Juniors took on Saturday’s Sprint (750M swim, 14K bike, 4.5K run).

‍Corbin Thompson (USA) of Birmingham, Alabama, took top honors, powering through the final run to earn the Youth A crown.

Andrew Wales (USA), 16, from Springville, California, rode to victory in muddy conditions in the Youth B race. Mariam Jacobsen (USA), 16, of Montgomery, Alabama, topped the girls' field.

In the Junior division, Lucas Wright (USA), 18, from Ellicott City, Maryland, delivered a fast and confident race to win the men's title. Abigail Wales (USA), 18, also from Springville, secured the Junior women’s championship.

Read the rest of the recap from XTERRA.

About USA Triathlon

USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon, paratriathlon, and indoor and virtual multisport events in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 3,500 events and races and connects with and supports more than 300,000 unique active members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including World Triathlon Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of World Triathlon and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).

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