Race of the Week: Norseman Extreme Triathlon

If you are shaped like me, 30 lbs overweight, this race will definitely help you get rid of all the extra baggage you are carrying (although it is probably wiser to lose it before you enter the race!). The Norseman Extreme Triathlon has been called the toughest triathlon in the world. And for a reason. You start by jumping from a boat into the 15,5-17,5°C / 59-63F cold waters of the fjord Hardangerfjord. The task is, obviously, to swim safely back to land. What awaits you there is a hilly bike course of 180 km. I have never tried this race myself, but judging from the course map, it looks like you have to do some 1200 meters / 3940 feet of climbing in the first 40 km or so. After that you get some 50 km of gradual downhill, then then some rolling hills before you end with a nice long downhill.

The run - a full marathon -  is on no ordinary triathlon course, either. Ok, the first 25 km are relatively flat, but in the last 17,2 km you have to endure an extremely tough uphill, taking you from some 200 meters / 655 feet above sea level up to 1850 meters / 6070 feet, at the top of the mountain Gaustatoppen.

As if the course itself is not tough enough, the weather up there in the mountains can be extreme; heavy winds, cold rain or snow. Therefore the organizers have developed a very sound safety process and strict rules regarding cut-off times along the way. Those who make it all the way up to the mountain will be brought down by an elevator inside the mountain. If the elevator is not working, they have to walk back down.

The price for the winner is the same as the price for the last person to make it to the top of the mountain, a fabulous black T-shirt!

The course record for the Norseman Extreme Triathlon is unbelievable, 10 hours and 30 minutes, held by Bjorn Anderson from Sweden. The female record is 13 hours and 13 minutes, held by Susanne Buckenlei from Germany.

For more detailed information on the Norseman Extreme Triathlon, click the link in the "Race of the Week" column on the right hand side of your screen.  See a video from the event here below.