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. At Eidfjord the competitors transition onto their bikes and then cycle 180 km through the mountains, the first 40 km of which is uphill. After transition two, the competitors then run 42.2 km of which the first 25 km are flat and following this they end up climbing the local mountain, Gaustatoppen, 1,880 m above sea level.
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. 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 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. Approximately 40% of the participants are from outside Norway; and about 15% are female. During the period 2003-2005, a total of 175 women and 1,852 men successfully finished the race.
Norseman triathlon first took place in 2003 with 21 individuals at the starting line. The race record is 09:52:10 by Lars Christian Vold in 2017 for men and 11:16:10 by Mette Pettersen Moe in 2018 for women.

Winners

YearClassWinnerClub, CountryTimeNotes
2003MenChristian Houge-ThiisStavanger, 12:48:28-
2004MenRune HøydahlSande i Vestfold, 11:30:08-
2004WomenTrude AndersenStavanger, 13:15:20-
2005MenBjörn Andersson10:30:09-
2005WomenTrude AndersenStavanger, 12:21:31-
2006MenOle Stougaard10:49:57-
2006WomenMarie VeslestaulHøydalsmo I.L, 14:46:25-
2007MenLars Petter StormoTeam Oslo Sportslager, 11:25:18-
2007WomenEmily FinangerInside Triathlon, 13:01:00-
2008MenØyvind Johannessen11:08:10-
2008WomenJenny Gowans14:02:00-
2009MenTom Remman11:19:48-
2009WomenSusanne Buckenlei13:21:48-
2010MenHenrik Oftedal10:59:57-
2010WomenSusanne Buckenlei13:13:03-
2011MenTim DeBoom11:18:52-
2011WomenSusanne Buckenlei13:10:44-
2012MenHenrik Oftedal10:23:43-
2012WomenAnnett Finger12:17:04-
2013MenMarkus Stierli11:25:16-
2013WomenInger Liv Bjerkreim Nilsen12:43:14-
2014MenAllan Hovda10:52:07-
2014WomenLine Foss12:56:27-
2015MenAllan Hovda09:43:37half swimming distance
2015WomenKristin Lie11:50:48half swimming distance
2016MenLars Petter Stormo10:22:37-
2016WomenKari Flottorp Lingsom12:24:52-
2017MenLars Christian Vold09:52:10Record
2017WomenAnne Nevin12:04:18-
2018MenAllan Hovda10:05:48-
2018WomenMette Pettersen Moe11:16:10Record
2019MenFedrik Linge Johnsen10:47:55
2019WomenDanne Boterenbrood13:13:59

Coordinates