The event will feature $20,000 USD in prize money for elite athletes, who will compete over a 1.5km swim, 30km mountain bike and 10km trail run.  Under23, junior, age-group and paratriathlon races will also be contested in Pelham.

 

Chris Kitchen, British Triathlon Director for Performance and Chair of the ITU Multisport Committee was delighted with the announcement commenting: “The mentality of triathletes is perfectly suited to the sport of cross triathlon and with the announcement of the 2012 ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships in Pelham, Alabama, I hope there will be another growth of energy and excitement around the discipline. British athletes Jacqui Slack and Richard Stannard both raced in the event last year and I am sure in 2012, we will once again see more British triathletes taking on the cross triathlon challenge.”

 

Malcolm Westwood, British Triathlon Director for Age-Group Teams added:” Cross Triathlon is continuing to grow every year, and with a dedicated Team Manager behind the GE Great Britain Age-Group Team, I am confident we can build this exciting sport into another high-performing team. Last year the GE Great Britain Age-Group Team won five medals including two gold, two silver and a bronze and in Alabama I hope the GE Great Britain Age-Group Team will be able to celebrate yet more success”

 

Marisol Casado, ITU President & IOC Member commented: "The triathlon and multisport family is extensive and far reaching and ITU is delighted to form a partnership with XTERRA for our 2012 Cross Triathlon World Championships. We are confident the strong race organization and dynamic course will continue to push Cross Triathlon to a new level."

 

The course at Oak Mountain State Park in Shelby County, located in the southernmost part of the Appalachian Chain, is praised by competitors as being one of the most fun, fast, scenic and difficult on the XTERRA schedule. Pelham will mark the second ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships, following last year's successful event in Extremadura, Spain.

 

ITU has also awarded the 2013 ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships to Den Haag (The Hague), Netherlands.  

The event will take place on July 13, 2013 and will offer 35,000 EUR in prize money for elite athletes and will also hold under23, junior, age-group and paratriathlon categories.  In preparation for the event, the city will host the ETU Cross Triathlon European Championships this year.