Endurance Sports Bucket List Recommendations

Triathlon Forum
1

Just finished Powerman Zofingen this weekend (hard!) and am thinking about other big once-in-a-lifetime multi-sport/bike events I’d like to do over the the next few years. Below is a list of some of the big ones that have been most memorable for me and some that I am thinking about putting on the To Do List for the coming years. I would be very interested to hear other nominations, particularly for iconic endurance bike and multipsport events which folks consider Must Dos in the course of a life time. Looking mostly for cool events in Europe (where we are currently living) and the US. I really enjoyed La Marmotte earlier this year and am looking at some similar events for next year. Also I am thinking largely about non-ironman races at least for the next few years, and while several of those I have listed below are long, I’d also be very interested in shorter events if they are really special and worth traveling for. Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

DONE
Kona, Quelle Roth, IM Canada (Penticton),70.3 Worlds, Long Course Duathlon Worlds (Powerman Zofingen), Long Course Triathlon Worlds (2x), Short Course Duathlon Worlds, IM Lake Placid (2x), IM Brazil, IM Florida, IM Couer d’Alene, IM Mont Tremblant, La Marmotte, Garrett County Gran Fondo, Tour of Flanders Sportive, Amstel Gold Sportive, St Croiz Half Ironman, Wildflower Half Ironman, Musselman Half Ironman (4x), Eagleman Half Ironman (4x), Montauk Half Ironman (3x), Atomicman Half Ironman, Alcatraz Tri, Boston Marathon, NYC Marathon (2x), Paris Marathon,

THINKING ABOUT
Etape D’Tour, Liege Bastgone Liege Sportive, Vatternrundun, Mallorca 312, Maratona de Las Dolomites, Dirty Kanza, RAGBRAI, Leadville 100 MTB race, American Zofingen, Survival of the Shawagunks, Savageman Half Ironman (I have done the olympic), ???

2

This is not multisport, nor cycling related, but I saw where you’d done the Boston and NYC marathons so figured you must enjoy running. I’d add R2R2R to your bucket list. The run across the Grand Canyon and back is one of the most epic events I’ve ever done. Not the hardest event but simply pure excitement completing it.

3

“cool” events in Europe… … Norseman triathlon ? :slight_smile:

4

Embrunman.

5

Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. (France)
Triathlon X (UK Lake District)
IM Lanzarote
IM Wales
London & Berlin Marathons - then do Tokyo and you’ve done all the Big 6.

6

If you enjoyed La Marmotte, then I would definitely place Maratona d’les Dolomites on top of your list!

7

Haute-Route
.

8

Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. (France)
Triathlon X (UK Lake District)
IM Lanzarote
IM Wales
London & Berlin Marathons - then do Tokyo and you’ve done all the Big 6.

UTMB is a great suggestion.

Also, Tour de Gents.

9

Megavalanche.

10

That’s a helluva sports CV!

You’ve already got 3 of my rec’s - AmZof, SOS, and Savageman.
All are awesome, challenging and unique.

For MTB, how about La Ruta?
https://www.larutadelosconquistadores.com/home-ruta-conquistadores

You need to qualify for Leadville IF you don’t get in via lottery, so you’ll want to pick a qualifier event to do first.

Have fun!

11

Trans alpine mtb - switzerland

Crocodile trophy - Australia

Coast to coast - new zealand

The Southern traverse new zealand
.

12

I would not recommend Vatternrundan. Very boring (flat) route hard to get a time during the day.
Ö till Ö is a good race if you want to compete in Scandinavia.

13

The Tour Divide
.

14

Marathon des Sables
Comrades
2 Oceans Ultra

Plitvice Lakes Marathon, Croatia
.

15

That thing that lance did where you swim island to island with hand paddles and runnning shoes looked really fun

Was it called otillo?

16

Island Extreme Triathlon (Iceland) https://www.extremetris.com/islxtri

Not Europe but extreme and thrilling…
Alaskaman https://www.extremetris.com/akxtri
Alohaman https://www.extremetris.com/hixtri

The race director has had a ton of experience and looks for exciting race courses and never skimps out on safety.

17

Race across america, aka RAAM, http://raceacrossamerica.org/phone/index.html, 3000 mile bike race from Oceanside California to Annapolis Maryland non stop. Seemed the toughest endurance race in the world. I’m signed up to do it next June as part of 2 person team, shooting for 7 days.

Race across the west, aka RAW, http://www.raceacrossthewest.org/phone/index.html, 900 mile bike race from Oceanside California to Durango Colorado non stop.

World time trial championships, http://www.24hrworlds.com/, in Borrego Springs California, 6-12-24 hour versions. I’m doing 12 hour for 3rd year in a row in November. My RAAM teammate is doing the 24 hour for third year in a row. I covered 223 miles last two years, hoping for 250 miles this time.

18

Wow, that’s surprising to hear that about Vatternrundun. I have a couple Swedish friends who told be what a big deal it was and then I read a couple good reviews online and figured with that many folks on the road there must be some solidly paced groups to get in which I find fun. Given the distance I also figured it would be challenge enough to do a good time even without much elevation. When I have done overnight running relays i really enjoyed the night portion so I thought that might be fun here, too. Maybe not, I guess

Given the rural area and the number of people who do the event I was actually much more concerned about logistics, particularly finding a place to stay for myself along with my wife and daughter who were going to come along for the trip. Anyway, thanks for the information, much appreciated.

19

50/50/50…it still hasn’t been done officially yet (here).
.

20

Patrouille des Glaciers
.