This is great, an XTERRA race, XTERRA WC and now this - beautiful spot too! Well done for Ruidoso
Am I missing something or are there a bunch of typos on dates? It mentions coming June 8 2025, bt the title says July 2026 and it references an inaurgural race in 2024?
Yeah, it’s horribly written.
I’m always interested in a new location but 3 hour drive from and airport with pretty limited flight options? Makes me wonder how limited the lodging options might be…
It is a ski town, so I imagine it has some capacity
Yeah I was told this was happening at Oceanside. It’s sort of close enough to drive from Pheonix, about 7:30, but it’s pretty far, kind of in the middle of nowhere. It is close to where the Trinity test site is, so you can drive by that although I think they only open for tours 1 day per year in October.
kind of far from everything really. cool looking town though!
It’s going to be a “Festival Weekend” with a few races to make it more of an appealing family trip
Been to Ruidoso quite a few times from when I was stationed in El Paso, it’s not that big. The only body of water is Mescalero Lake right at Inn of the Mountain Gods. Which has like 250 rooms. There are a few other hotels, but it’s tough on lodging.
The XTERRA race uses Grindstone Lake to the southwest of Ruidoso. Is somewhere on the Ruidoso River an option for the swim and transition? Alto Reservoir to the north? Mescalero Lake appears to be on the Reservation which adds to logistical issues and an additional layer of bureaucracy for Ironman.
I know nothing about the area. Just looking at a map.
For lodging ideas - take a look at the Xterra Ruidoso site for options. There are also a lot of Air B&B options since it is a ski town. You can either fly into Albuquerque (3 hours away) or Las Cruces (a little over two hours). I suspect they will use Grindstone Lake like the Xterra is using. I am personally excited for this as I am in Santa Fe and having something not 6+ hours away like usual is huge for the tri community in NM. I am looking forward to seeing what they drew up for a course - it should be tough and at elevation too, so it could be a worthy successor to St George!
This kind of thing is interesting when you put it that way. “Find the next sleepy outdoors town who will love us.”
What could possibly go wrong 
I sincerely hope it pans out! It could be really good for the region and it is a gorgeous area!
Las Cruces has one airline, Advanced Air, so most would fly into El Paso.
Occasionally in my trail running when I’ve spooked a rabbit, deer, even an owl, and I’ve had them go in the similar direction I’m running until they veer off. It’s always fun to imagine we’re racing. Never raced a horse before on my bike…
and neither Albuquerque or El Paso have direct flights to anywhere on the east coast
Good to know - I never head that far south, so I wasn’t aware! I mostly go out of Santa and occasionally ABQ, so Cruce is never on my radar!
Odd choice of venue. Not a ton of lodging in the area, more geared for off road racing, pretty isolated area, at altitude - which will limit participants. I would be surprised if this one lasts more than 2 years.