Photos: Xterra Japan

The Xterra Japan course offered one of the most beautiful, and difficult, Xterra experiences in the world. Photo: Xterra

Local athletes take part in a clinic with the pros. Photo: Xterra

Taiko drummers at the swim start. Photo: Xterra

Athletes are greeted with hazy conditions at the swim start. Photo: Xterra

Stoltz is out of the water. Photo: Xterra

Conrad Stoltz rides through the Nikko National Forest. Photo: Xterra

Certain sections required athletes to hop off of their bikes. Photo: Xterra

Local athletes took on the race in the Nikko National Forest in Marunuma, Japan. Photo: Xterra

Women's winner Mieko Carey on the run. Photo: Xterra

Conrad Stoltz is a four-time Xterra world champion. Photo: Xterra

Top-two finishers Will Kelsay and Conrad Stoltz shake hands at the finish. Photo: Xterra

Japan customs. Photo: Xterra

“Will was chasing hard, and was close behind me and if he didn’t crash so many times it would’ve been a lot closer,” said Stoltz, whose winning time was 2:18:25, a little more than a minute ahead of Kelsay. Photo: Xterra

Takahiro Ogasawara, Conrad Stoltz and Will Kelsay placed on the podium. Photo: Xterra

Photo: Xterra