By EMILY D. COOK / Community Columnist

Xterra returns! May 21 and 22are the days that Xterra excitement takes over Oak Mountain State Park, and we are looking forward to it.

Athletes from all over the world come to Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham for a few days each year to swim in our lake and bike and run our trails. How awesome is that?

The trails of Oak Mountain will be used by athletes from New Zealand, Canada, Great Britain and many different states.

On Saturday, May 21, come out and watch athletes participate in the Southeast Championship Triathlon by taking a 1.5 km (almost 1 mile) swim, 30 km (18 ½ mile) bike and 10 km (about 6 miles) run.

Also taking place that day is the Xterra Sprint, which is a 750 m (approximately ½ mile) swim, 15 km (9 mile) bike, and 5 km (3 mile) run for those that don’t want to go the extra mile.

New this year! The Xticer – a doable and fun 200 m swim, 10 km (about 6 miles) mountain bike and a 2 km (a little over a mile) trail run. Try it out!

On Sunday, May 22, the trail runners will hit the trails for the Xterra Oak Mountain Trail Runs.

You can choose to run a 5 km, 10 km or go the distance with a 20 km, or just come cheer on the athletes.

According to Xterra’s website, “all three courses will take place on the award-winning trails. Trail Runner magazine ranked Oak Mountain as one of the Top 25 Crown Jewels of running trails across America in 2011.”

For more information or to register, visit Xterraplanet.com/races/southeast-championship/ or Xterraplanet.com/trailrun/oakmountain/.

Please remember that you keep Alabama State Parks open by visiting them. Thank you for your support.