Xtreme triathlon

Xtreme Triathlon refers to a type of triathlon competition where competitors race over distances broadly equivalent to those of an Ironman triathlon (3.8k swim, 180k bike, 42k run). They are by definition held over more extreme courses and potentially more extreme conditions due to the often remote locations and large elevation changes.

The original Xtreme triathlon was the Norseman Xtreme triathlon first held in 2003. Many other races have followed on from this and in 2014 the concept of "All XTRI was launched" as a global brand that encompassed Norseman along with Celtman and Swissman. This evolved into what is now known as the XTRI world tour although many other non-affiliated races of similar format exist around the world. In 2019 Norseman will host the first XTRI world championship which athletes are eligible for by qualification at the previous years XTRI world tour races.

The number of participants is limited to a certain number of competitors typically 250 and entry via a ballot system can be very difficult to attain. Many athletes have tried and failed gain entry to races over many years. These small numbers allow races to be held in remote and inaccessible locations which is a defining characterists on XTRI.

Races are "unsupported" so competitors need to have personal back up crews that follow them with cars to provide them with food and drink. The support crews also often need to accompany their competitor on any potentially dangerous mountain sections. During these sections, competitors are often required to carry a backpack containing emergency food and clothing should the weather change.

Courses

While XTRI courses broadly follow the format of Ironman triathlon they are not restrained by this. One of the defining aspects of XTRI is that the courses are typically far more challenging than a typical Ironman and can be longer.

Swims often incorporate often colder water temperatures than would be permitted in a normal race and the smaller number of competitors allows swims to be conducted from much more remote or inaccessible locations including deep water starts accessed by boats and challenging point to point courses.

The cycle components are often longer than an Ironman in excess of 200k and may contain several thousand meters of ascent. They frequently point to point and participants require a support team to follow them throughout.

XTRI runs can vary in length, while the Norseman course has been officially accredited as marathon distance, other courses may be a little less or more. They all have a large component of often challenging and technical off road running with some courses being almost entirely off road. They also typically have a large amount of elevation gain, sometimes more than the cycle sections and a number have mountain finishes.

XTRI world tour races

Race	Country	Start Location	Finish Location	First ran
Norseman	Norway	Eidfjord	Gaustatoppen	2003
Celtman	Scotland	Shieldaig	Torridon	2012
Swissman	Switzerland	Ascona	Kleine Scheidegg	2013
Canada Man/Woman	Canada	Lac-Mégantic	Lac-Mégantic	2017
Jánošík	Slovakia	Oravská priehrada	Terchová	2016
Swedeman	Sweden	Tännforesn	Åre	2018
ICON	Italy	Livigno	Livigno	2017
Hispaman	Spain	Peñiscola	Vistabella del Maestrat	2018
Black Lake	Montenegro	Žabljak	Žabljak	2019
Fodaxman	Brazil	Santa Catarina	Estr. Geral do Morro da Igreja	2019
Patagonman	Chile	Puerto Chacabuco	Puerto Ibañez	2018

Other extreme races

Race	Country	Start Location	Finish Location	First ran	Last ran	Part of
"Alaskaman".	USA	Miller's Landing	Alyeska	2017	2019	Extreme Endurance Events (In 2018 it was part of Xtri World Tour)
"Alahoman".	USA			2019	2019	Extreme Endurance Events
"Ísland Extreme Triathlon".	Iceland	Giant Padlock	Ólafsvík	2019	2019	Extreme Endurance Events
"Winterman".	Czech Republic	Děčín	Jested	2015	Active	Independent
"ManX Xtreme Triathlon".	Isle of Man	Laxey	Snaefell	2019	2019	Xtri World Tour
"Kiwiman Extreme Triathlon".	New Zealand				Active	Independent
"Pirene Xtri".	Spain				Active	Independent
"Triathlon X Extreme Triathlon".	England				Active	Independent
"Beskid Xtreme Triathlon".	Poland				Active	Independent
"HardaSuka Xtreme Triathlon".	Poland				Active	Independent
"ThorXtri".	Norway				Active	Independent
"Austria eXtreme Triathlon".	Austria	Graz	Dachstein	2015	Active	Independent
"TriathlonX Xtreme Triathlon".	England				Active	Independent
"Sierra Nevada Xtreme Triathlon".	Spain				Active	Independent
"Thor Beach Triathlon".	DK				Active	Independent
"Lofoten Triathlon – Extreme".	Norway				Active	Independent
"Karakoram Xtreme Triathlon".	Pakistan				Active	Independent
"Embrunman".	France				Active	Independent
"Almira-X".	Greece				Active	Independent
"Brutal Extreme".	GB	LLANBERIS, NORTH WALES			Active	Independent
"Evergreen".	France				Active	Independent
"Formosa Xtreme Triathlon".	Taiwan				Active	Xtri World Tour Prospect race
"Amazigh Xtreme Triathlon".	MAR				Active	Xtri World Tour Prospect race
"Knysna Xtreme Triathlon".	South Africa				Active	Independent
"HimalayanXtri".	Nepal				Active	Xtri World Tour Prospect race
"Caïroman".	France				Active	Independent
"007 Xtri".	Germany Austria Italy				Active	Independent
"Fjord Extreme".	Norway				Closed	Independent
Bearman XXL	France			2017	Active	Independent

References

External links