After two years of being held simultaneously with the St. Louis Triathlon at Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park, XTERRA St. Louis will have its own date and venue in 2018. The event will take place on August 12 at the Council Bluff Recreation Area in Belleview, Missouri, about 90 minutes from the Gateway Arch.

“We wanted to be our own gig,” said race director Mike Barro. “Council Bluff Lake was just screaming for an XTERRA. It was the obvious choice. Why fight it?”

The 2018 XTERRA St. Louis will include an 800-meter swim, 14.5-mile mountain bike ride and 4.8-mile trail run that will showcase the beauty of the Missouri Ozarks.

“The venue itself as an attraction,” continued Barro. “To lake is pristine, just gorgeous.”

Barro says the swim will differ from previous years in that you can sight off the shoreline. The mountain bike trail is well known and cuts in and out of the fingers of the lake, up and down, with spectacular views. The run includes a “monster” half-mile-long hill that athletes will get to do it twice.

“So far, we’re tracking about double the registrations as this time last year,” said Barro, admitting that he was a little concerned about the out-of-town switch. “It’s not necessarily sleep in your own bed and be there in 15 minutes, but it adds to the adventure and experience.”

Camping, concessions and hot showers are available at the venue site. All finishers will receive an XTERRA medal. Register now at racesonline.com.