Oak Mountain State Park will challenge athletes from all over the world on June 10-11 as the Nissan XTerra Off-Road Triathlon Southeast Championship comes to Pelham.

Competitors from 30 states and more than a dozen countries will swim 1.5 kilometers in Double Oak Lake, bike 30 kilometers around the edge of the park and finish the race by running 10 kilometers.

&8220;Bringing the XTerra race to Pelham is a great way for us to prove that Oak Mountain State Park has some of the finest trails for running and biking in the United States,&8221; Pelham Mayor Bobby Hayes said.

&8220;We look forward to extending our Southern hospitality to all participants.&8221;

Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock said Shelby County is a prime place for events such as the triathlon.

&8220;Shelby County&8217;s diverse outdoor recreational venues make it an ideal location for numerous national and regional competitions,&8221; Duchock said.

Professional competitors in the triathlon will compete for a $20,000 prize purse and to earn points toward the U.S. series $70,000 purse.

The weekend surrounding the event will include off-road trail runs, a duathlon, a kids&8217; road triathlon, a Kids base camp, a hair &8220;cutathon&8221; and climbing wall.

&8220;We needed a venue for XTerra in the South, and we found a gem in Pelham,&8221; XTerra managing director Dave Nicholas said.

&8220;Oak Mountain State Park provides a world-class course in a vibrant setting for our athletes and a really fun place to visit for all of their friends and family coming along for the ride.

&8220;We think Shelby County is a terrific place to promote a healthy, active, outdoors lifestyles for visitors and residents alike, and that&8217;s what we&8217;re all about.&8221;

The triathlon begins at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 11