XTERRA, the off-road triathlon, comes to the Blackwater River State Forest on Aug. 2. Photo Credit: http://www.xterraplanet.com/2015/07/llanos-j-dawg-liggett-rule-2004-maui-show/

XTERRA, the global sport of off-road triathlon that has been contested world-wide for more than 20 years, comes to Northwest Florida this weekend.

On Sunday, Aug. 2 a sold out field of 150 athletes will swim, bike, and run in and around Bear Lake in hopes of claiming the first ever XTERRA Blackwater title.

Staged in the Blackwater River State Forest at the Bear Lake Recreation Area, the race consists of an 800 yard swim, a 13 mile mountain bike and a 3.75 mile trail run.

Nine states will be represented once the start gun fires. Included in the field is accomplished pro triathlete Sara McLarty. The Clermont, Florida resident was the 2005 USA Triathlon Rookie of the Year, a member of Team USA in the 2007 and 2011 Pan-Am Games, and has numerous top 10 and top 5 finishes at premier triathlons around the world.

Hosted by SOML Racing (So Others May Live), a non-profit organization consisting of Naval Aviation Rescue Swimmers, families, and friends, it’s an organization that strives to be a formidable force in the lives of those whose seek to better themselves mentally and physically, as every Navy rescue swimmer knows, "So Others May Live!"

More information can be found at www.somlracing.org.