James Elliott is representing B.C. as he competes in X-Alps, known as one of worldB次元官网网址檚 hardest adventure races, where competitors paraglide, hike and run their way to the finish.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e had a lifelong infatuation with flight. As a child, I would climb trees to be closer to the skyB次元官网网址� Elliott told Black Press Media in a phone interview from Germany.

He has always loved flying, but it wasnB次元官网网址檛 something he pursued as a sport until his late 20s on a chance trip to Spain that he found a paragliding training course . He has been paragliding ever since and that trip started his journey to compete in X-Alps.

X-Alps spans 1,223 kilometres and five countries, taking place from June 11- 25. The race consists of running, hiking and paragliding each day. The race was founded in 2003 by late fellow adventurer Hannes Arch and has been happening every two years since, making this year the 20th anniversary of the raceB次元官网网址檚 inception.

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Elliott gained most of his flying time in his home base of Pemberton, which he says to this day is one of the most picturesque places heB次元官网网址檚 flown.

Being the only Canadian in the field of 30 athletes puts James in the elite company with only a small number of Canadians to ever compete in this race.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really cool to be selected, especially coming into a European sport on European soil and being able to compete.B次元官网网址� said Elliott, he also hoped that his competing would inspire others to want to enter the sport and grow it in Canada.

It takes more than just an athlete to finish this race, according to Elliot. In this sport, there are also supporters, who follow the athlete in an RV and relay weather patterns to help with strategy and even cook food among many other responsibilities. B次元官网网址淪ometimes the supporters job is harder than an athlete,B次元官网网址� Elliot said, it really is a team effort to finish a race like this.

B次元官网网址淛ust getting in that flow state with my team,B次元官网网址� Elliot said when asked what he is most looking forward to as a rookie in this race. Getting into a rhythm and being in a state where working as a team is natural is something that Elliott said he loves about racing in general.

This yearB次元官网网址檚 competition includes live tracking technology for avid fans.

B次元官网网址淲e have also created a state-of-the-art viewing experience for fans and spectators watching who can follow every minute of the action via Live Tracking.B次元官网网址� said, race co-founder Ulrich Grill.

Follow JameB次元官网网址檚 Elliot throughout the race at