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 fjord to the local town, Eidfjord.[1] At Eidfjord the competitors transition onto their bikes and then cycle 180 km through the mountains, the first 40 km 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 km of which the first 25 km (to Rjukan) are flat and following this they end up climbing the local mountain, Gaustatoppen, 1,880 m above sea level.[1]

Eidfjord, where the swimming event takes place
Måbødalen, which the cycling event passes through
Gaustatoppen, where the final part of the running event takes place

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 and water

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 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 a "Cold Water Research Project", which will continue for several years including one or more PhD degrees in progress. The studies is 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 is a huge research effort at Norseman, and the research group has published their first scientific papers.

Participants

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 world championship athletes [3]). Approximately 40% of the participants are from outside Norway; and about 15% are female. During the period 2003-2005, a total of 175 women (10.6%) and 1,852 men (89.4%) successfully finished the race.[4]

Norseman triathlon first took place in 2003 with 21 individuals at the starting line. The race record (full swimming distance) is 09:52:10 by Lars Christian Vold (Norway) in 2017 for men and 11:16:10 by Mette Pettersen Moe (Norway) in 2018 for women.

Winners
YearClassWinnerClub, CountryTimeNotes
2003MenChristian Houge-ThiisStavanger,  Norway12:48:28
2004MenRune HøydahlSande i Vestfold,  Norway11:30:08
2004WomenTrude AndersenStavanger,  Norway13:15:20
2005MenBjörn Andersson Sweden10:30:09
2005WomenTrude AndersenStavanger,  Norway12:21:31
2006MenOle Stougaard Denmark10:49:57
2006WomenMarie VeslestaulHøydalsmo I.L,  Norway14:46:25
2007MenLars Petter StormoTeam Oslo Sportslager,  Norway11:25:18
2007WomenEmily FinangerInside Triathlon,  Norway13:01:00
2008MenØyvind Johannessen Norway11:08:10
2008WomenJenny Gowans New Zealand14:02:00
2009MenTom Remman Norway11:19:48
2009WomenSusanne Buckenlei Germany13:21:48
2010MenHenrik Oftedal Norway10:59:57
2010WomenSusanne Buckenlei Germany13:13:03
2011MenTim DeBoom USA11:18:52
2011WomenSusanne Buckenlei Germany13:10:44
2012MenHenrik Oftedal Norway10:23:43
2012WomenAnnett Finger Germany12:17:04
2013MenMarkus Stierli Norway11:25:16
2013WomenInger Liv Bjerkreim Nilsen Norway12:43:14
2014MenAllan Hovda Norway10:52:07
2014WomenLine Foss Norway12:56:27
2015MenAllan Hovda Norway09:43:37half swimming distance
2015WomenKristin Lie Norway11:50:48half swimming distance
2016MenLars Petter Stormo Norway10:22:37
2016WomenKari Flottorp Lingsom Norway12:24:52
2017MenLars Christian Vold Norway09:52:10Record
2017WomenAnne Nevin Norway12:04:18
2018MenAllan Hovda Norway10:05:48
2018WomenMette Pettersen Moe Norway11:16:10Record
2019MenFedrik Linge Johnsen Norway10:47:55
2019WomenDanne Boterenbrood Netherlands13:13:59

Coordinates

See also

References
  1. "Course Map". Norseman Xtreme Triathlon.
  2. "Athlete Guide". Norseman Xtreme Triathlon.
  3. https://nxtri.app.box.com/v/AthleteGuide-2020
  4. Knechtle, Beat; Nikolaidis, Pantelis Theodoros; Stiefel, Michael; Rosemann, Thomas; Rüst, Christoph Alexander (2016-10-31). "Performance and sex differences in 'Isklar Norseman Xtreme Triathlon'". The Chinese Journal of Physiology. 59 (5): 276–283. doi:10.4077/CJP.2016.BAE420. ISSN 0304-4920. PMID 27604138.
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