NEWS
Australian Alpine Ascent Returns in 2026 with XTRI® World Tour Partnership May 6th, 2025
AAA and AAA XTRI® – FEBRUARY 14TH 2026
Elite Energy Events is proud to announce the return of the Australian Alpine Ascent (AAA) in February 2026, in an exciting new partnership with the XTRI® World Tour.
Set in the breathtaking Kosciuszko National Park, the all-new Australian Alpine Ascent Xtreme Triathlon will be one of the toughest and most spectacular endurance events in the Southern Hemisphere. This race is not only a true test of stamina, resilience, and mental grit — it will also serve as Australia’s only official qualifier for the XTRI® World Championship at Norseman®, the world’s most iconic extreme triathlon.
“This is more than just a race — it’s a test of grit and resilience,” said Mark Emerton, CEO of Elite Energy Events. “Partnering with XTRI® World Tour elevates the AAA to the global stage and offers Australian athletes a chance to take on one of the world’s most iconic endurance challenges.”
The Australian Alpine Ascent Xtreme Triathlon will challenge participants with a course that reflects the spirit of the XTRI® series: Swim in the cool waters of Lake Jindabyne, ride into the heart of the Snowy Mountains and run across alpine terrain towards Australia’s highest peak.
“XTRI® World Tour has known about the Australian Alpine Ascent for a long time,” said Stuart McInnes, Co-Founder and CEO of XTRI World Tour AS. “By reputation, we knew it was a race we wanted in our series. Now, with this exciting new partnership, we can offer the Australian endurance community access to the XTRI® experience. It’s going to be a fantastic addition to the tour — bring on February 2026!”
Participants won’t just be racing the course — they’ll be racing for a chance to qualify for the legendary Norseman® XTRI® World Championship in Norway.
This is a bold new chapter in Australian endurance sport — and a call to those ready to redefine their limits.
Trail Running Returns to the High Country
In more good news for endurance athletes, the Australian Alpine Ascent Trail Runs will also return in February 2026, after being cancelled in 2025 due to construction at Perisher.
With a variety of distances — including marathon, half marathon, and alpine trail challenges — these events give trail runners the opportunity to push their limits against the raw beauty of the Snowy Mountains.
For media enquiries, interviews, or partnership opportunities, please contact:
Emily Buchhorn
Marketing & Communications
ABOUT ELITE ENERGY EVENTS
Elite Energy is one of Australia’s leading endurance event organisers, delivering world-class triathlons, running festivals, and multisport experiences across the country for over 20 years.
ABOUT XTRI® WORLD TOUR
The XTRI® World Tour is a global series of extreme triathlons set in some of the world’s most breathtaking environments. Each event is a qualifying race for the XTRI® World Championship at Norseman®, widely considered the world’s toughest triathlon.
LINKS
- Imagery Xtri x AAA
- XTRI website https://aaaxtri.com/
- AAA website https://australianalpineascent.au/
