The city of Zadar and Ugljan island will host XTERRA Croatia Zadar – Ugljan Island 2027 from 22 to 24 October 2027, a three-day sporting event that brings the leading global off-road triathlon brand to Zadar County. The arrival of XTERRA was announced at a press conference held on 29 October at the Tourist Information Centre in Zadar.
Participants in the conference included Zadar Mayor Šime Erlić, Deputy County President Robertino Dujela, project manager Tomislav Paripović, and Nika Rimaj, the Croatian cross triathlon champion. Following two successful editions on Lošinj island, XTERRA CROATIA is opening a new chapter, with the previous two editions gathering more than 1,200 competitors from over 20 countries.
XTERRA races are a combination of swimming, mountain biking and trail running. The first XTERRA race was held in 1996 on Maui in Hawaii, events are held in more than 40 countries, and the global calendar lists 120 races worldwide. In 2026, the XTERRA brand will mark its 30th anniversary.
Zadar will host a children's race and an open water swimming competition, while the main triathlon programme will take place on Ugljan, where an additional children's race is also planned. All three triathlon races will start from Sutomišćica, where a transition zone for changing between disciplines is planned on the football pitch, and competitors will finish the races at Mulu, in the centre of Preko. Standalone trail races of 10.5 and 18.5 kilometres are also planned, with start and finish at Mulu in Preko, as well as a standalone open water swim (Open Water Swim). The Kids Race in Zadar will start and finish at the Greeting to the Sun (Pozdrav Suncu).
Project manager and organiser representative Tomislav Paripović stated that Zadar and Ugljan were chosen as locations for the XTERRA brand's expansion and that the event will not be invasive for the local population. He emphasised that traffic routes will not be used and there will be no traffic blockages, and he wants to involve the local population, especially children and islanders. 1,000 competitors are expected for the race.
Zadar Mayor Šime Erlić stated that this race could help extend the tourist season, while Deputy Zadar County President Robertino Dujela said that Zadar County wants to establish itself as the 'most sporting'. Nika Rimaj, the current Croatian cross-triathlon champion who previously participated in the Wings for Life race in Zadar, will be competing in XTERRA for the third time.
