Xtreme triathlon

Sport competition in extreme conditions

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Xtreme triathlon (or extreme triathlon) is a type of triathlon competition on extreme courses, which include night or cold swims, and important elevation gain and high altitude during both the cycling and running sections. Athletes also deal with extreme weather conditions due to the remote locations and altitude changes.

The number of participants is limited (usually to 250 to 300) and some races operate a ballot entry system. These small numbers allow races to be held in remote and inaccessible locations, one of many characteristics of extreme triathlon. Some races are "unsupported" so competitors need to have personal back up crews that support to provide them with food, drinks and other necessities. 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.

## History

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The roots of extreme triathlon trace back to the Norseman Xtreme Triathlon, first held in 2003 in Norway. Designed by Hårek Stranheim, Norseman offers a cold-water fjord swim of ~3.8 km, a 180 km bike leg through the Hardangervidda plateau, and a 42.2 km marathon ending atop Gaustatoppen. With over 5,000 m of total elevation, it emphasises self-reliance and endurance. Participation is capped (≈250 athletes), each required to bring a personal support crew for safety and logistics.[1][2]

Inspired by Norseman, similar races began to appear in Europe in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Altriman (France, 2009), Aurlandsfjellet Xtreme (Norway, 2010), and Oravaman (Slovakia, 2011) adopted similar formats, favouring elevation, remote terrain, and small-scale organization.[3][4] Between 2012 and 2013, additional events launched such as Celtman Xtreme Triathlon (UK), The Brutal Extreme Triathlon (UK), Swissman Xtreme Triathlon (Switzerland), Jurassicman (UK), and Snæfellsnes Jarnkarl (Iceland). These races emphasised community focus, athlete-crewed support, and wilderness routes.[5][6][3]

AlpsMan Extreme Triathlon, held annually since 2016 near Lake Annecy in France, includes a ~3.8 km lake swim, 180 km cycling across multiple alpine cols (~4,300 m ascent), and a marathon run climbing to the summit of Semnoz (~1,300 m ascent).[7]

In 2013, Norseman, Celtman, and Swissman formed an informal alliance, which eventually evolved into the XTRI World Tour. The first XTRI World Championship took place at Norseman in 2019.[8] While the Tour has helped raise the profile of select events, many races remain outside its framework. Some participants and commentators have criticised the Tour’s branded experience and elimination-style formats as diverging from the sport’s grassroots ethos.[9][10]

As of the mid-2020s, over 45 independent extreme triathlons exist worldwide. Notable events include Austria eXtreme Triathlon, StoneBrixiaMan (Italy), Winterman (Czech Republic), Knysna Extreme (South Africa), and AlpsMan (France), each emphasizing uniquely local terrain and low-capacity fields.[11][3]

Norseman remains considered the symbolic founding event. In 2025, over 6,300 applicants from roughly 96 countries entered the lottery for ~250 slots, demonstrating sustained demand far beyond its limited capacity.[12][13] Despite the rise of branded series and media coverage, the core ethos of extreme triathlon continues to revolve around self-supported endurance amid challenging natural settings.

## Course format

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Extreme triathlons follow the traditional Iron-distance (3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, 42.2 km run) but are held in remote and often mountainous environments. Courses are typically point-to-point and feature cold-water swims in fjords, rivers, or alpine lakes, steep climbs during the bike segment, and trail runs that may finish at altitude. These environmental and elevation factors significantly increase the difficulty compared to standard triathlon formats.[14][15]

Many races require athletes to be accompanied by a personal support crew, who provide nutrition, equipment, and safety support—especially on remote run sections. However, not all events have this requirement; some are self-supported or offer partial aid stations.[16]

Field sizes are usually limited to a few hundred participants, often selected through an application or lottery process. This allows organizers to maintain safety, protect natural environments, and preserve the event’s emphasis on personal endurance and self-reliance.[15]

## Extreme triathlon communities & activities

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Many extreme triathlon races created Facebook groups or similar to allow their athletes to plan and discuss races. Some of these are relatively open format, and some set up with a closed audience related to specific athletes in specific years.

In late 2019, a 'Global Extreme Triathlon Forum' Facebook group and 'Global Extreme Triathlon Club' on Strava were also set up to create a community across all extreme triathlon races worldwide, and also help nurture aspiring athletes. This has been growing ever since. In 2023 a website called Global Extreme Triathlon[17] was set up with the intent to gather information on all Extreme Triathlons in one place. This has been a success, especially for the independent races that are not a part of mainstream Xtreme Triathlon.

COVID in 2020 impacted races globally. All early extreme triathlon races were cancelled or postponed, but some later races managed to convene due to their format of being small in more remote locations. In this backdrop, several races created virtual challenges where athletes completed 'events' wherever they could, or on Zwift (or similar) if unable to get outside.

## XTRI World Championship

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The XTRI World Championship is an annual event that takes place at Norseman every August. The first championship took place in 2019 with less than 50 athletes starting in a small field before the main race. The entire field of Norseman is now the World Championship.[18]

The international governing body World Triathlon does not recognize any XTRI World Tour Championships as official Xtreme Triathlon World Championships.

The current XTRI World Championship Rankings for 2025 are as follows:[15]

Women:

1. Julia Skala (GER)
2. Laura Kessler (CH)
3. Flora Colledge (GBR)

Men:

1. Kristian Grue (NOR)
2. Christophe Martiniger (CH)
3. Juuso Manninen (FIN)

Starting in 2025, the XTRI Solo Point Five World Championship will be held annually at a different SP5 race location each year.[citation needed]

## Race catalogues

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### Active race catalogue

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Race | Status | Distance | Org | Ascents (mtrs) | Country | Extras / Mythical feature(s) | Established | Notes | World Championship Qualifier

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Alps Man | Active | Full | Independent | 5600 |  France | "Le Tournant" Bell High Route Cutoff | 2016 |
Alps Man half | Active | Half | Independent | 3200 |  France |  | 2016 |
Altriman | Active | Full | Independent | 6320 |  France | Port de Pailhères (12km @ 9%) | 2015? |
Amazigh XTRI | Active | Full | XTRI World Tour Prospect | 2930 |  Morocco |  | 2023 |
Austria eXtreme | Active | Full | Extreme Triathlon Series | 5786 |  Austria | Styrian snowfield run | 2015 |
Aurlandsfjellet | Active | Half | Independent | 4200 |  Norway |  | 2011 |
Bearman XXL | Active | Full | Independent | 6175 |  France | Bear Chair finish photo. | 2017 | 8848m option for Bears.
Ben Nevis Braveheart | Active | Half | Independent | 1970 |  Scotland | Highest summit in UK. | 2017 |
Blacklake XTRI | Active | Full | XTRI World Tour | 5800 |  Montenegro | Immortals Wall, 2 lake swim, bike over Worlds 2nd deepest gorge. | 2019 |  | YES
Brutal | Active | Full | Independent | 4350 |  Wales | They do multiples! | 2012 |
Canadaman XTRI | Active | Full,1/2 | XTRI World Tour | 4000 |  Canada | Mt Megantic Observatory finish | 2017 |  | YES
CELTMAN! XTRI | Active | Full | XTRI World Tour | 3769 |  Scotland | Cold jellyfish swim, Beinn Eighe Ridge | 2012 |  | YES
Cheaha | First 2022 | Full | Independent | 4570 |  USA, Alabama | Mt. Cheaha "The High Place" | 2022 | New race, launching 2022.
Diablak Beskid | Active | Full,1/2 | Independent | 6200 |  Poland |  |  |
EagleXMan | Active | Full | Independent | 6300 |  Italy | Gran Sasso e Monti; Campo Imperatore | 2021 |
EagleXMan half | Active | half | Independent | 3300 |  Italy | Gran Sasso e Monti; Campo Imperatore | 2021 |
Estonian Forest | Active | Full, 1/2 | Independent | 2600 |  Estonia | 180km Gravel/MTB bike (flat country!) | 2021 |
Evergreen | TBC | Full | Independent | 7850 |  France | Chamonix Skyline | 2015 |
Fodaxman XTRI | Active | Full | XTRI World Tour | 4700 |  Brazil | Serra do Rio do Rastro switchbacks | 2019 |  | YES
Formosa XTRI | Active | Full | XTRI World Tour | 6840 |  Taiwan |  | 2019 |  | YES
Greek Hero | Active | Full | XTRI World Tour Prospect | 3900 |  Greece |  | 2020 |
Grimm Extreme | Active | Full | Independent | c4000 |  Germany | Cross old Iron Curtain | 2020 |
Grizzlyman | Active | Full | Independent | 6300 |  Czech | 205km bike | 2019 |
HardaSuka Ultimate | Active | Full | Independent | 8000 |  Poland |  |  |
HelveticMan | Active | Half | Independent | 4150 |   Switzerland |  |  |
HimalayanXtri | First 2022 | Full | XTRI World Tour Prospect | 6200 |    Nepal | 4000m highest altitude | 2021 |
ICON XTRI | Active | Full | XTRI World Tour | 6200 |  Italy | High altitude swim (1.800 MSL). Stelvio Bike | 2017 |  | YES
Inferno | Active | 4 stage | Independent | 5500 |   Switzerland |  |  |
Janosik XTRI | Active | Full | XTRI World Tour | 5800 |  Slovakia | Midnight swim, Rozstuec climb on run | 2016 |  | YES
Jurassicman | Active | Full | Indi | 3720 |  England |  | 2013 |
Karakoram | First 2022 | Full | Independent | 2900 |  Pakistan | 7-8c (2km) swim at 2250m altitude |  |
Kiwiman | Active | Full | Independent | 4200 |  New Zealand |  |  |
Knysna Xtreme | Active | Full | Extreme Triathlon Series | 3360 |  South Africa | Longest extreme tri swim & run |  |
Lofoten | Active | Full | Independent | 4100 |  Norway | Most northerly extreme tri. Svolvear Harbour swim. |  |
ManX | Active | Full | Independent | ? |  Isle of Man |  | 2019 |
Mercantourman | Active | Full | Independent | 7300 |  France |  | 2020 | Same area as Cairoman, may be rename?
Norseman XTRI | Active | Full | XTRI World Tour | 5235 |  Norway | It's Norseman! Ferry jump. Zombie Hill. | 2003 |  | HOST
Olympos-X | Active | Full | Independent | 7050 |  Greece | Night swim, 4km off the coast to 2834m altitude. 3000m elevation loss through technical trails | 2017 |
Olympos-X half | Active | Half | Independent | 3700 |  Greece | highest half, extreme downhill | 2020 |
Olympusman | Active | Half | Independent | 2916 |  Cyprus | Cyprus highest peak |  |
Extreme Olympusman | Active | Full | Independent | 6000 |  Cyprus |  |  | Full distance test event 2020.
Oravaman | Active | Half | Independent | 2550 |  Slovakia |  |  |
Patagonman Xtreme | Active | Full | Independent | 3182 |  Chile | Ferry jump. Finish Bell. | 2018 |  |
Pirene Xtreme | Active | Full | Extreme Triathlon Series | 6500 |  Spain | Discover the Pyrenees | 2017 |  |
Pulpit Rock Xtreme Triathlon | Active | Half | Independent | 3500 |  Norway |  | 2023 |  |
Starvation XTRI | Active | Full | XTRI World Tour | 5260 |  USA, Utah | Iron Cowboys Race | 2021 |  | YES
StoneBrixiaMan | Active | Full | Extreme Triathlon Series | 7050 |  Italy |  |  |
Swedeman XTRI | Active | Full | XTRI World Tour | 4697 |  Sweden | Swim finish at Waterfall. | 2018 |  | YES
Swissman XTRI | Active | Full | XTRI World Tour | 5750 |   Switzerland | Run under a waterfall | 2013 |  | YES
Tatraman | Active | Half | Independent | 3245 |  Poland | Swim between 2 castles |  |
ThorXtri | Active | Half | Independent |  |  Norway |  |  |
TriathlonX Full X | Last 2022 | Full | Independent | 5137 |  England | "Toughest Xtreme" (220 article) | 2015 |
TriathlonX Extreme X | Active | Full | Independent | 7336 |  England | "Toughest Xtreme" (220 article) | 2015 |
Triverest | Active | Full+ | Independent | 8900 |   Switzerland | Greatest ascents (tied with Himalayan) |  |
Wataha | Active | Full | Independent | 6200 |  Poland | Mountains of The Wolf | 2021 |
Wild Siberia | Active | Full |  | 3600 |  Russia | 2.5k 9c swim in 'Dead Lake' Cheybek-Kohl. | 2020 | Xtremly Wild and beautiful. |
Wilderman | Active | Full,1/2 | Independent | 3570 | North Dakota, USA | Lifejacket on bike & run. Creek crossing. | 2014 | Offroad bike. Gravel or MTB.
Winterman | Active | Full | Extreme Triathlon Series | 4700 |  Czech Republic | 9 km downstream swim. | 2015 |

### SOLO POINT FIVE race catalogue

[edit]

Race | Status | Distance | Org | Ascents (mtrs) | Country | Extras / Mythical feature(s) | First Ran | Notes

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CELTMAN! XTRI SOLO POINT FIVE | Active | Half | XTRI World Tour | 2550 |  Scotland | Cold jellyfish swim, Belach na ba | 2022 |
CANADA XTRI SOLO POINT FIVE | Active | Half | XTRI World Tour | 2100 |  Canada | AUtumn colours and Mont Megantic | 2023 |
BLACKLAKE XTRI SOLO POINT FIVE | Active | Half | XTRI World Tour | 3100 |  Montenegro | Blacklake and Small Lake | 2022 |
FODAXMAN XTRI SOLO POINT FIVE | Active | Half | XTRI World Tour | 2550 |  Brazil | Serra do Rio do Rastro | 2022 |
ORAVAMAN XTRI SOLO POINT FIVE | Active | Half | XTRI World Tour | 2550 |  Slovakia | Technical Run | 2010 |
HIMALAYAN XTRI SOLO POINT FIVE | Active | Half | XTRI World Tour | 3400 |    Nepal |  | 2023 |
SWEDEMAN XTRI SOLO POINT FIVE | Active | Half | XTRI World Tour | 2000 |  Sweden |  | 2024 |  |
Greek Hero XTRI SOLO POINT FIVE | Active | Half | XTRI World Tour | 3000 |  Greece |  | 2024 |

### Historic race catalogue

[edit]

Race | Status | Distance | Org | Ascents (mtrs) | Country | Extras / Mythical feature(s) | First Ran | Notes

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007 Xtri | On Hold | Full | Independent | c8000 |  Germany,  Italy and  Austria | Cross three countries! | 2019 | Small test race. 2021 race unlikely.
Alaskaman | Ceased | Full | EEE/XTRI World Tour | 2400 |  USA, Alaska | Resurrection Bay, Bear bells, River Hhandtram, Aleyska Ridge | 2017 | Cancelled 2020.
Alohaman | Ceased | Full | EEE | TBC |  USA, Hawaii |  | 2019 | Cancelled 2020.
AlpineMan Xtreme | Ceased | Full | Independent | 4900 |  Slovenia |  | 2016 | One year only
FjordXtreme | Ceased | Full | Independent | 3900 |  Norway |  | 2016 | Held 2016 only.
Iceland | Ceased | Full | Independent | 4179 |  Iceland | Midnight swim, Volcanoes. | 2019 |
KarkonoszMan | Last 2021 | Half | Independent | 2900 |  Poland |  | 2014 |
Manx Xtreme Tri | Ceased | Full | XTRI World Tour Prospect | 3000 |  England |  | 2019 | Test race only.
Oppland (Oxtri) | Ceased | Full | Independent | 2700 |  Norway |  | 2015 |

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Norseman Xtreme Triathlon". Langrenn.com. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
2. ^ "Norseman Xtreme Triathlon". Wikipedia. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
3. ^ a b c "History". Swissman Xtreme Triathlon. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
4. ^ "Xtreme Triathlon". Wikipedia. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
5. ^ "Celtman Xtreme Triathlon". German Wikipedia. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
6. ^ "Swissman Xtreme Triathlon". Wikipedia. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
7. ^ "Alpsman Extreme Triathlon". German Wikipedia. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
8. ^ "Xtreme Triathlon". Wikipedia. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
9. ^ "Xtreme Triathlon". Wikipedia. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
10. ^ "Celtman Xtreme Triathlon". German Wikipedia. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
11. ^ "Alpsman Extreme Triathlon". German Wikipedia. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
12. ^ "Norseman Xtreme Triathlon". Nxtri.com. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
13. ^ "Norseman". Nxtri.com. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
14. ^ "What Makes an Extreme Triathlon 'Extreme'?". Adventure Race Hub. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
15. ^ a b c "What is XTRI?". XTRI World Tour. Retrieved 6 August 2025. Cite error: The named reference "XTRI" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
16. ^ "Support Crew Requirements". Multisport Ireland. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
17. ^ "The History of Extreme Triathlon". GlobalExtremeTriathlon.com. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
18. ^ "Isklar Norseman Xtreme Triathlon 2019". events.racetracker.no.

## External links

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* "Isklar Norseman Xtreme Triathlon".
* "XTRI World Tour".
* "Extreme Triathlon Series". Archived from the original on 2020-10-28. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
* "Global Extreme Triathlon Club Strava group".