Tension before the battle for age group medals and elite cash is ameliorated by trail run contests and various amusements which abound in Maui.

All photographs © Timothy Carlson

Swim maestro and age group triathlete Steve Tarpinian is back to keep his string of 15 straight XTERRA World Championships alive.

Michi and Rachel Weiss are hoping the versatile Austrian triathlete and formere Austrian Olympic mountain biker can top his stellar XTERRA World Championship record of two third places and one runner-up.

Erin Densham, the 2006 Under 23 ITU World Champion from Australia is prepping for her XTERRA Worlds debut.

Josiah Middaugh, 2nd at the 2011 XTERRA US Pro Series, is hoping to improve on his XTERRA Worlds best ever 3rd place finish.

Renate Bucher of Switzerland placed 4th twice at XTERRA Worlds

Young runner leaps down an embankment in the trail run.

Running through the jungle in the 5k trail run.

Trail runner exuberance.

Stylish 5k trail runner.

Running along the beach in the stretch of the 5k trail run.

Overall winner of the 5k trail run.

This 10-year-old finished 3rd overall in Saturday's 5k trail run.

This beautifully inked age group runner finished on the podium in the trail run.

The first bike in the transition.

Cowman A-Moo-Ha has replaced his famous horns lost three years ago.

A group of XTERRA age groupers and their support crews enjoying the sunset over nearby Honolua Bay.

A 20-24 age grouper from the Houston area leaps to celebrate the coming race.

Maui's beautiful Honolua Bay.

Maui windsurfing action

Maui windsurfer gets air.