Previously the location of the XTERRA USA Championship race, this is one of the all time classic XTERRA courses. Racers start with a swim in famous Lake Tahoe, one of the purest and deepest lakes in North America. The bike section test racers’ climbing and fitness levels. The bike starts up tunnel creek, a somewhat sandy gradual climb. Racers pop out from tunnel creek onto the area’s famous Flume Trail, which skirts the mountain side overlooking Lake Tahoe. Riders continue on past Marlette Lake and down a rocky and fast Tahoe Rim Trail. The views are breathtaking, but every view is earned. Both the Short and Long Course complete the 22 mile course with approximately 4500 feet of climbing. After the biking section racers continue onto a trail running course that is relatively flat and fast, but challenges runners with log and creek crossings.