A handful of dirt-devoted triathletes from Central Oregon have qualified for the 2006 Xterra USA Championships.

The championship, scheduled for Oct. 1, will be staged in Incline Village, Nev. The off-road triathlon consists of a 1>-kilometer swim in Lake Tahoe, a 32-kilometer mountain bike ride on dirt trails surrounding the lake, followed by a 10-kilometer trail run.

South African Conrad Stoltz, a part-time resident of Bend and a professional Xterra triathlete, is currently ranked fourth in the U.S. point standings, and is perennially a top contender to claim the national-championship crown. Stoltz, a two-time Xterra world champion, has two wins to his credit during the 2006 race season.

Central Oregon amateurs who qualified for the race from Xterra’s Northwest region include Bend residents Kevin Tucker (men ages 30-34) David Cloninger (men 35-39); Bruce Rogers (men 35-39); Sarah Max (women 30-34); and Kathy Frank (women 55-59).

In 2005, Cloninger finished first in his age division at the Nevada race, and was fourth overall among amateur men. That same year, Max took second in her division and also finished fourth overall among amateur women, while Frank claimed the national title in her age group.

The Xterra USA Championship is the culmination of a series of more than 50 qualifying events held across the country that award points to the athletes in Xterra’s eight regions.

Pro triathletes compete for their share of $40,000 at the national race.