Norseman triathlon

The Norseman Xtreme Triathlon is a non-Ironman branded triathlon, point to point, race held in Norway annually. The distances are equivalent to those of an Ironman race with the swim starting from the loading bay of a car ferry, through the water of the Hardangerfjord to the local village, Eidfjord.^[1] At Eidfjord the competitors transition onto their bikes and then cycle 180 kilometres (110 mi) through the mountains, the first 40 kilometres (25 mi) of which is uphill (reaching 1200 m above sea level).^[1] After transition two (at Austbygdi, 190 m above sea level), the competitors then run 42.2 kilometres (26.2 mi) of which the first 25 kilometres (16 mi) (to Rjukan) are flat and following this they end up climbing the local mountain, Gaustatoppen, 1,880 m above sea level.^[1]

The race is "unsupported" so competitors need to have personal back up crews that follow them with cars to provide them with food and drink.^[2] The support crews also have to accompany their competitor up the final mountain climb due to the inherent dangers of being highly fatigued on a mountain. During this final mountain climb competitors are required to carry a backpack containing emergency food and clothing^[2] should the weather turn, whilst they are on the mountain.

Weather conditions, strict health checks, and deadlines determine whether the race can be followed into the mountains and those that finish are given a black finishers top and take on the name "Norsemen". Those that do not make the cut-off time but complete the distance on a lower alternative route are given a white finishers top.

The water temperature in Eidfjord is a challenge to the organizers. In 2011 the swim course was disturbed by a passing cruise ship, lowering the water temperature and requiring the swim to be moved further along the fjord. This change added 20 km to the bike course.^[3] In 2015 the water temperature was measured to 10 degrees celsius. The safety team then decided to make the swim 1900 meters instead of 3800 meters. After the race, the safety crew decided to start the "Cold Water Research Project",^[4] which will continue for several years including one or more PhD degrees in progress. The studies are led by Jonny Hisdal and Jørgen Melau. Other than cold water studies, the group also has started studies on biomarkers, lung functions and heart function. In 2019 there was a research effort at Norseman,^[5] and the research group has published their first scientific papers.^[6][7][8]

The number of participants is limited to a certain number of competitors (290 for 2020; 250 are invited, from sponsors, media and the majority from a draw; around 40 from qualified XTRI World Tour races for the World Championship).^[9] Approximately 40% of the participants are from outside Norway; and about 15% are female. During the period 2003-2015, a total of 175 women and 1,852 men successfully finished the race. The average time to finish the race was around 15 hours, with no statistically significant difference in finishing times between men and women ^[10]

Norseman Xtreme Triathlon first took place in 2003 with 21 individuals at the start line. The race record (full swimming distance) is 09:09:57 by Jon Sæverås Breivold (Norway) in 2023 for men and 11:00:23 by Julia Skala (Germany) in 2025 for women.

• Start 60°28′23″N 7°02′53″E / 60.473°N 7.048°E / 60.473; 7.048
• Transition 1 60°28′06″N 7°04′06″E / 60.4683°N 7.0682°E / 60.4683; 7.0682
• Transition 2 59°59′20″N 8°48′57″E / 59.9888°N 8.8157°E / 59.9888; 8.8157
• Finish 59°51′01″N 8°39′22″E / 59.8504°N 8.6560°E / 59.8504; 8.6560

• Xtreme triathlon

• Official website