Cross Country
FUEGO XL: SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026
FUEGO XC & SHORT: SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2026
Cross-country (XC) racing at Sea Otter is en Fuego (“on fire”).
The Fuego presented by Specialized tests the fire of each athlete by way of sandy climbs and flowy singletrack of the Fort Ord National Monument. Your inner spark will ignite with the starting pistol to motivate your mind and body over this challenging and fun course. After traversing Fort Ord’s picturesque hills and trails, Fuego racers roll into *Casa Amigos to swap race highlights over lunch and a beverage.
Choose between three unique cross-country distances — Fuego XL, Fuego XC, and Fuego Short. Medals awarded to the top three finishers in each category.
Fuego XL: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Turn the burners on high for the exciting Fuego XL, a two-lap mountain bike event covering approximately 70 miles and 7,800 feet of elevation change
The Fuego XL is also a qualifier for the iconic Race Across the Sky: the 2026 Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik, in Leadville, Colorado. All participants must start their 2nd lap by 2pm. Course closure for qualifying is at 4pm.
Fuego XC: Sunday, April 19, 2026
The boiling point is set at approximately 21 miles for this traditional cross country course that gains 3,500 feet over sandy climbs, flowy singletrack and Fort Ord’s diverse habitat and beautiful landscape. One of the most long-standing events at Sea Otter, the iconic XC race begins on Sunday and refines rookie riders into seasoned vets from the start to the finish line.
Fuego Short – Junior Racers Only – Sunday, April 19, 2026
This course for our young riders (Grades 4-6) gives juniors a taste of the famous Sea Otter sandy climbs. Participants will start and finish at the Sea Otter Classic bridge with a six-mile course on the Fort Ord National Monument. Parents: after you grab a front-row seat for the sizzling action, you can join your juniors for post-race lunch at Casa Amigos* by purchasing an additional lunch with registration.
2026 general registration is now open: register here!
Onsite registration at the event starts on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at noon. Event registration closes at 6:00 p.m. the day prior to the scheduled event. If you have pre-registered, you can pick up your event number on event day – up to 60 minutes prior to event start time. NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION.
Registered athletes must pick up your race number in person (must have current, valid PHOTO ID). Pick up your race packet, complimentary 4-day Festival Pass, and purchase event merchandise at Athlete Registration.
Fuego Pricing
| Early Bird Pricing: through December 1, 2025 | December 2, 2025 - February 17, 2026 | February 18, 2026 - March 31, 2026 | After April 1, 2026 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuego XL | $150 | $160 | $180 | $205 |
| Fuego XC | $150 | $160 | $180 | $205 |
| Fuego Short | $65 | $75 | $85 | $115 |
At Life Time, we’re committed to elevating the competition experience for our top athletes while maintaining the fairness, integrity, and community spirit that make off-road racing special.
For 2026, we’ve enhanced our Elite program to ensure a more professional, transparent, and competitive environment for all athletes racing in the Elite field. With increased prize purses and continued alignment with the Life Time Grand Prix, we’re also implementing a vetting process to help maintain fair competition and protect the integrity of the race.
All athletes wishing to compete in the Elite field must complete the Elite Application (see below). This process helps verify that each athlete meets the required performance standards, understands event policies, and contributes to the positive, respectful race culture we value.
Approved athletes will receive a confirmation “pass” verifying their vetted Elite status. This pass confirms eligibility to register and compete in the Elite category but does not guarantee entry into any specific event.
APPLY HERE ELITE SELECTION CRITERIA
If you have any questions, please reach out to lifetimeelite@lifetime.life
Race Registration includes:
- Race course support: Feed Zone, medical team
- Complimentary parking
- (1) Complimentary 4-day Festival Pass (if you sign up for multiple events, you will still only receive 1 wristband for the weekend)
- Complimentary post-ride showers
- Limited bag drop – Fuego XL only, details below
- Secure bike valet
- Post-race lunch and complimentary Sierra Nevada beer at the Casa Amigos Rider Lounge. Your lunch must be redeemed on the same day of your race/ride.
- Virtual Athlete Goodie Bag: special offers and discounts from our Sea Otter Classic partners
Medals are awarded to the top three finishers in each category
All athletes receive a complimentary post-race or ride meal at the Casa Amigos Rider Lounge.
You will receive a physical ticket at packet pick-up.
Meal tickets are valid for the same day as your race or ride.
The Sea Otter Fuego XL presented by Specialized is a qualifier for the Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik.
There is a minimum of 35 LT100 qualifier coins up for grabs at each of the Leadville Race Series qualifier events.
- Qualifier coins will only be given to athletes who finish the longest distance race.
- Coin winners MUST BE PRESENT at the awards ceremony and claim their entry immediately.
- Coin winners must complete and pay for their registration for the Leadville Trail 100 MTB during the designated time offered.
- All registration fees for the LT100 MTB are non-transferable, non-refundable, and subject to the Leadville Race Series deferral policies.
The 35+ coins at each event will be distributed based on overall and age group performance, as well as an event lottery at the end of the awards ceremony.
- The performance-based coins will be distributed to the top overall performances, as well as the top performances of each age category.
- If an athlete elects not to accept their slot, the coin will “roll down” to the next top athlete in their category.
- In the event that slots are not claimed after the roll down, they will be reallocated to the event lottery.
- The event lottery is available to all official finishers.
- Names will be randomly drawn in the lottery from all eligible and interested athletes to distribute these coins until none remain.
Visit our LT100 MTB Qualification System page for more information.
Join Race Director, Jeff Frost, for these live course talks as he previews each race and ride, with plenty of time for questions.
Monday, February 2 @ 5:30pm PST | Gravel, Criterium, Circuit Race – Course discussions, and Q&A
Thursday, February 19 @ 5:30pm PST | Fuego XL, XC, Short & eMTB Race – Routes discussion and Q&A
Monday, March 2 @ 5:30pm PST | Gravity Events: Downhill, Dual Slalom and Enduro – Course discussions, and Q&A
Monday, March 16 @ 5:30pm PST | Run, Gran Fondos & Recreational Rides Rides: Carmelo, Pacifico, Off-Road Tour – Course discussions, and Q&A
Learn more and sign up here.
Course maps for Sea Otter 2026 will go live on March 1st, 2026!
CLICK HERE FOR: Feed Zone Directions
Packet pick-up and registration is located at the Hospitality Pavilion. Please see the Festival Map here.
- Wednesday noon to 6 p.m.
- Thursday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday 6 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Pre-registered athlete packet pick-up only. No Registrations.)
Riders that have already registered online can pick-up their packets the same day as their race.
No drop bars – For rider safety and course compatibility, drop-style handlebars (road or gravel bars with drops) are not longer permitted for the Fuego XL and Fuego XC. All competitors must use flat or riser-style handlebars.
This rule will be enforced during pre-race inspections and on course; violations may result in disqualification.
Awards go 3 deep in each of the categories below:
| Men’s Fuego XC Categories | Men’s Fuego XL Categories |
| Elite Men | Elite Men |
| Singlespeed Men | Singlespeed Men |
| 19-29 Men | 15-16 Men |
| 30-39 Men | 17-18 Men |
| 40-49 Men | 19-39 Men |
| 50-59 Men | 40-49 Men |
| 60-69 Men | 50-59 Men |
| 70+ Men | 60-69 Men |
| Boys JV (HS Freshmen-Sophomore) | 70+ Men |
| Boys Varsity (HS Jr-Sr) | Para Male |
| Boys 8th Grade | Women’s Fuego XL Categories |
| Boys 7th Grade | Elite Women |
| Para Male | Singlespeed Women |
| Women’s Fuego XC Categories | 15-16 Women |
| Elite Women | 17-18 Women |
| Singlespeed Women | 19-29 Women |
| 19-29 Women | 30-39 Women |
| 30-39 Women | 40-49 Women |
| 40-49 Women | 50-59 Women |
| 50-59 Women | 60+ Women |
| 60-69 Women | Para Female |
| 70+ Women | Non-Binary |
| Girls JV (HS Freshmen-Sophomore) | |
| Girls Varsity (HS Jr-Sr) | |
| Girls 8th Grade | |
| Girls 7th Grade | |
| Para Female | |
| Non-Binary | |
| Fuego SHORT Categories | |
| Boys and Girls 4th Grade | |
| Boys and Girls 5th Grade | |
| Boys and Girls 6th Grade |
To change categories, please email seaotter@ltevents.zendesk.com with any inquiries.
No Refunds
All fees are non-refundable and registrations are not transferable.
Deferral
Receive a guaranteed spot into the following year’s race. Athlete will pay 50% of the entry fee and complete a new registration for the following year’s race. Original entry fees will not be refunded.
Important Notables
Deferrals are only valid for the following year in the same event, space permitting.
Active duty and military personnel deployed or recalled may be refunded or deferred at no cost with proof of orders.
Pregnant Women and Postpartum mothers may be refunded or deferred at no cost with an authorized medical note.
Deferral and Transfer redemption deadlines apply.
No refunds or changes permitted on transactions over 365 days.
No refunds on add-on items, merchandise or donations; all purchases are final.
Life Time reserves the right, in its sole and complete discretion, to deny entry, to revoke the entry application of any applicant at any time, and/or to disqualify any individual from the Event. Those who violate our registration/racing policy may be disqualified and potentially banned from participating in this and/or any other Life Time Event.
Contact seaotter@ltevents.zendesk.com for information.
All Sea Otter participants will be required to submit a release waiver and assumption of risk form. Save time in line by completing them in advance. All Sea Otter participants are required to wear an approved helmet- no exceptions. USA Cycling Helmet Policy
The Fort Ord National Monument is open to visitors during Sea Otter. Riders need to adhere to trail rules and passing speed limits when passing a rider going in the opposite direction. Passing speed limits during the tours (5 mph on single-track and 10 mph on roads) will be enforced.
Prize Purse
Cross Country Prize Purse | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elite Men Fuego XC | $500 | $400 | $300 |
| Elite Women Fuego XC | $500 | $400 | $300 |
| Elite Men Fuego XL | $500 | $400 | $300 |
| Elite Women Fuego XL | $500 | $400 | $300 |