The PTO World Tour thread got me thinking about the kind of races I wish more people would invest in (and sign up for). Started a new thread because I didn’t want to derail that one.
I know this is unlikely, but imagine PTO putting money into reviving some of the classic, brutally tough, now defunct triathlons. A few that come to mind-
WildflowerQuassy Dun LaoghaireSt. CroixSavageman
Personally, I don’t enjoy flat courses, but I know people love their PRs and world records make for exciting press. Don’t get me wrong, 7:21 for an Ironman is really cool, but I miss these race courses with real character!
Anybody have any more super challenging courses to add to this list? (Or a bored investor?!)
I’m with you in spirit but I want mine to be on dirt…
Mountain Xtreme Triathlon - held just once, Park City area (2003)
Wilderman - North Dakota (still happening)
XTERRA Keystone - brutal elevation, the swim was at 10,000ft
Is it a common theme that these hard triatlon lose out on faster ones? Norseman starts at sea, ends at 1880masl, climbs 5000m(16400ft) throughout. Sorry if this is in reality well known or not that impressive.
Wow just looked up Wilderman (is it pronounced “wild-er man†or “will-der man?â€). That does look pretty awesome. MTB or gravel? To be honest I don’t love the ironman distance as much as Olympic and half, hence the list I came up with. I did the XTERRA in Lake Placid, which only existed for a few years, and the course came out to about 4-5 hours one year just because of the extra slow conditions. Off road is no joke and I can’t imagine doing 17+ hours!
As a tangent I might add Ironman/70.3 Lake Tahoe to the list, just based on what I’ve heard (never got to race it).
How about Rob Lea who climbed Everest, swam the channel, and rode across the US in 6 months? Can we make that an event? ( yes I realize that you’re asking for specific one day events, but this was impressive).
Guess I had in mind more traditional triathlon formats. Xtreme triathlons and Ultra man feel like they belong in their own category, maybe because of the “crew†requirements. An Xtreme tri is definitely on my bucket list (Alaska comes to mind, I have a friend who really had fun with that), but I was thinking about races that could be a series that I would do year after year.
Wow just looked up Wilderman (is it pronounced “wild-er man†or “will-der man?â€). That does look pretty awesome. MTB or gravel? To be honest I don’t love the ironman distance as much as Olympic and half, hence the list I came up with. I did the XTERRA in Lake Placid, which only existed for a few years, and the course came out to about 4-5 hours one year just because of the extra slow conditions. Off road is no joke and I can’t imagine doing 17+ hours!
As a tangent I might add Ironman/70.3 Lake Tahoe to the list, just based on what I’ve heard (never got to race it).
I almost signed up for Wilderman one year. It can be done on a gravel bike. However, IIRC, there are some more technical MTB sections where you might have to have some skills.
I’m with you in spirit but I want mine to be on dirt…
Mountain Xtreme Triathlon - held just once, Park City area (2003)
Wilderman - North Dakota (still happening)
XTERRA Keystone - brutal elevation, the swim was at 10,000ft
Ian
I immediately thought of xterra keystone. What great race.
Great idea. I love my hard triathlons. I have done Norseman twice, Triathlon X (super hard race in the UK which a massive DNF rate) and the tuff official Ironman races I have done that spring to mind include Wales and Lanzarote (x6!).
I think the Xtri series is what you are describing. Its not as organised or accessible as Ironman but some of the races are simply stunning and very hard. I have pretty much given up on Ironman these days, but I am still looking starry eyed at the Xtri series. They are difficult races to get into, organise and complete. Definitely not your typical Ironman vibe and not for everyone - but I am hooked.
Having said that I the Xtri vibe is not about investment or being super profitable, quite the opposite so I am not sure a big investor would work out there.
Xterra looks interesting but its not exactly extreme, just off road - and I guess does not need a big investor, just venues and time to grow.
The Old Silverman gives a thumbs up for the Silverman 140.6!!! Not only hard but also scenic, as in you can see most of the bike course most of the time (due to a lack of foilage) and the many colors and shades of dirt.
The PTO World Tour thread got me thinking about the kind of races I wish more people would invest in (and sign up for). Started a new thread because I didn’t want to derail that one.
I know this is unlikely, but imagine PTO putting money into reviving some of the classic, brutally tough, now defunct triathlons. A few that come to mind-
WildflowerQuassy Dun LaoghaireSt. CroixSavageman
Personally, I don’t enjoy flat courses, but I know people love their PRs and world records make for exciting press. Don’t get me wrong, 7:21 for an Ironman is really cool, but I miss these race courses with real character!
Anybody have any more super challenging courses to add to this list? (Or a bored investor?!)
This just my perspective, but since this is just an imaginary exercise anyway… I would beg to differ regarding your comment on Xtri and Ultras.
I think any conversation of a series hardest triathlons in the world have to include Xtris. Sure, Ultras are a whole other thing. But having raced Norseman in 2014, even with own crew, etc… it is very much a triathlon. And was as much of a race at the front of the pack as any IM I’ve done. Can’t imagine many that are harder.
And definitely filling a need for many regards back to basics ‘next challenge’ racing. The vibe and community is strong. I love the idea of Wilderman, any race that provides life jackets on the bike and run has my vote!
The XTRI World Tour has c17 races, including Norseman. There is also a smaller Extreme Triathlon Series with 5 races. The rest are independents. Every race is unique, but the common thread is tough ascents, small intimate race sizes, and good portion of run off-road. Not all need support, one of our most scenic is Lofoten in northern Norway, a truly stunning place.
Ian, Joe runs an awesome race with Wilderman. Theres now two other extremes in the states, Starvation in Utah (James Lawrences race) and Cheaha in Alabama.
A fellow Xtri enthusiast. Yes, Xtri fits between Xterra and Ultras. I couldnt do Xterra, the fact I’m so slow would be exposed. As mentioned to Ian, theres the XTRI World Tour (Norseman plus 16 others), The Extreme Triathlon Series (5 races and a cool 5 piece plaque) and 40+ independents.
France is true, although ‘Extreme’ centres around the Norseman format, so Alpe D’huez whilst a monster bike and stunning location falls short on distance and its run is tarmac not offroad.
But take a look at Inferno in France, which started 3 years before Norseman.
France was doing extreme races before it was a thing.
Hardest triathlon I’ve ever done was probably Alpe d’Huez long course.
There are so many insanely hard courses in France, just to cite a few:
Altriman, Bearman XL, La Madeleine XL, Alpsman, Evergreen Endurance (if it ever happens again), Embrunman
Ian, Joe runs an awesome race with Wilderman. Theres now two other extremes in the states, Starvation in Utah (James Lawrences race) and Cheaha in Alabama.
Just looked up Cheaha, 16 started, 9 finished. Not really sustainable.