Xtreme triathlon
Extreme (or 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 Extreme Triathlon was the Norseman Xtreme Triathlon first held in 2003. Many other races have followed on from this and in 2013 the concept of "AllXTRI 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, falling under the general term of extreme triathlon. In 2019 Norseman hosted the first XTRI World Championship which athletes are eligible for by qualification at the previous year's XTRI World Tour races.
The number of participants is limited to 250 and some races operate a ballot entry system due to high demand for slots. Many athletes have tried and failed to gain entry to some races over many years. These small numbers allow races to be held in remote and inaccessible locations which is a defining characteristic of extreme triathlon.
Races are predominantly "unsupported" so competitors need to have personal back up crews that support 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.
Course formats
One of the defining aspects of extreme triathlon is that the courses are typically far more challenging than a typical Ironman/ long distance and can be longer.
Swims often incorporate colder water temperatures than would not 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 sections can be in excess of 200k to fit remote roads and may contain several thousand meters of ascent. They are frequently point to point and participants require a support team to follow them throughout.
Extreme triathlon runs can vary in length. Whilst 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.
Extreme triathlon communities & activities
Many extreme triathlon races created Facebook groups 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 successfully growing ever since.
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, Norseman and also the XTRI World Tour created virtual challenges where athletes completed 'events' wherever they could, or on Zwift (or similar) if unable to get outside.
Race catalogue
| Race | Race Date (*=tbc) | Distance | Org | Ascents (mtrs) | Country | Extras / Mythical feature(s) | First Ran | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 007 Xtri | 2022* | Full | Independent | c8000 |  Germany,  Italy and  Austria | Cross three countries! | 2019 | Small test race. 2021 race unlikely. |
| Alaskaman | Stopped 2019 | Full | EEE/XTRI World Tour | 2400 |  USA | Resurrection Bay, Bear bells, River Hhandtram, Aleyska Ridge | 2017 | Cancelled 2020, diminishing numbers. |
| Olympos-X | 11-09-2021* | Full & Half | Independent | 7050 |  Greece | 2017 | ||
| Alohaman | Stopped 2019 | Full | EEE | TBC | USA | 2019 | Cancelled 2020, diminishing numbers. | |
| Alps Man | 06-06-2021 | Full & Half | Independent | 5600 |  France | "Le Tournant" Bell High Route Cutoff | 2016 | |
| Altriman | 10-07-2021 | Full | Independent | 6320 | France | Port de Pailhères (12km @ 9%) | 2015? | |
| Amazigh | 29-05-2021 | Full | XTRI World Tour Prospect | 2930 |  Morocco | 2021 | ||
| Austria eXtreme | 29-06-2021 | Full | Extreme Triathlon Series | 5786 | Austria | Styrian snowfield run | 2015 | |
| Aurlandsfjellet(AxTri) | 14-08-2021 | Half | Independent | 4200 |  Norway | 2011 | ||
| Bearman XXL | 18-09-2021 | Full | Independent | 6175 | France | Bear Chair finish photo. | 2017 | 8848m option for Bears. |
| Ben Nevis Braveheart | 25-09-2021 | Half | Independent | 1970 |  Scotland | Highest summit in UK. | 2017 | |
| Black Lake | 11-09-2021 | Full | XTRI World Tour | 5800 |  Montenegro | Immortals Wall, 2 lake swim, bike over Worlds 2nd deepest gorge. | 2019 | |
| Brutal | 11-09-2021 | Full | Independent | TBC |  England | They do multiples! | 2012 | |
| Cairoman | 2019 Only? | Full | Independent | 9500 | France | 2019? | Appears stopped. Now Merkantourman? (Same area). | |
| Canada Man/Woman | 04-07-2021 | Full | XTRI World Tour | 4000 | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Canada | Mt Megantic Observatory finish | 2017 | |
| Celtman! | 12-06-2021 | Full | XTRI World Tour | 3769 | Scotland | Cold jellyfish swim, Beinn Eighe Ridge | 2012 | |
| Cheaha Xtreme Triathlon | Summer 2022 | Full | Independent | 5300 | USA | Mt. Cheaha | Launching 2022 | |
| Diablak Beskid | 19-09-2021 | Full,1/2,1/4 | Independent | 6200 |  Poland | |||
| EagleXMan | 24-07-2021 | Full, 1/2 | Independent | 6300 | Italy | Gran Sasso e Monti; Campo Imperatore | 2021 | |
| Embrunman | 14-08-2021 | Full | Independent | 4000 | France | Xtri? Flattish run, 3 loops. | ||
| Evergreen | 11-09-2021* | Full | Independent | 7850 | France | Chamonix Skyline | 2015 | |
| FjordXtreme | 2016 Only | Full | Independent | 3900 | Norway | |||
| Fodaxman | 11-12-2021* | Full | XTRI World Tour | 4700 |  Brazil | Serra do Rio do Rastro switchbacks | 2019 | |
| Formosa | 26-11-2021* | Full | XTRI World Tour Prospect | 6840 |  Taiwan | 2019 | ||
| Greek Hero | 17-04-2021 | Full | XTRI World Tour Prospect | 5100 | Greece | 2020 | ||
| Grimm Extreme | 19-06-2021* | Full | Independent | c4000 | Germany | Cross old Iron Curtain | 2020 | |
| The Guardsman | 21-08-2021 | Full | Independent | 4457 | USA | Iron Cowboys Race | TBC vs Starvation Xtri. | |
| HardaSuka Ultimate | 25-06-2021 | Full | Independent | 8000 | Poland | |||
| HelveticMan | 04-09-2021 | Half | Independent | 4150 |  Switzerland | |||
| HimalayanXtri | 06-05-2021 | Full | XTRI World Tour Prospect | 8900 |  Nepal | Greatest ascents (tied with Triverest) | 2021 | |
| Hispaman | 25-09-2021 | Full | XTRI World Tour | 5400 |  Spain | Castle peninsular swim and Lost Road bike | 2018 | |
| ICON | 03-09-2021 | Full | XTRI World Tour | 6200 | Italy | High altitude swim (1.800 MSL). Stelvio Bike | 2017 | |
| Inferno | 21-08-2021 | 4 stage | Independent | 5500 | Switzerland | |||
| Iceland | 10-07-2021 | Full | Independent | 3250 |  Iceland | Active volcano, Midnight swim | 2019 | Relaunching 2021 |
| Israman | 27-01-2021 | Full (Xtri?) | Independent | 2588 |  Israel | Xtri? Good bike ascents but road run & descents. | ||
| Janosik | 04-09-2021 | Full | XTRI World Tour | 5800 |  Slovakia | Midnight swim, Rozstuec climb on run | 2016 | |
| Jurassicman | 15-08-2021 | Full | Indi | 3720 | England | 2018 | ||
| Karakoram | 14-08-2021 | Full | Independent | 2900 |  Pakistan | 7-8c (2km) swim at 2250m altitude | ||
| KarkonoszMan | 11-09-2021* | Half | Independent | 2900 | Poland | |||
| Kiwiman | 02-04-2021 | Full | Independent | 4200 |  New Zealand | |||
| Knysna Xtreme | 16-10-2020 | Full | Extreme Triathlon Series | 3360 |  South Africa | Longest Xtri swim & run | ||
| Lofoten | 12-08-2021* | Full | Independent | 4100 | Norway | Most northerly Xtri. Svolvear Harbour swim. | ||
| ManxMan | 2019 Only | Full | XTRI World Tour | 3000 | England | 2019 | ||
| Mercantourman | 25-09-2021 | Full | Independent | 7300 | France | 2020 | Same area as Cairoman, may be rename? | |
| Norseman | 07-08-2021 | Full | XTRI World Tour | 5235 | Norway | It's Norseman! Ferry jump. Zombie Hill. | 2003 | |
| Olympusman | 30-10-2021* | Half/Full | Independent | 2916 |  Cyprus | Full distance test event 2020. | ||
| Oppland (Oxtri) | Ceased 2016 | Full | Independent | 2700 | Norway | 2015 | ||
| Oravaman | 17-07-2021 | Half | Independent | 4750 | Slovakia | |||
| Patagonman | 05-12-2021* | Full | XTRI World Tour | 3182 |  Chile | Ferry jump. Finish Bell. | 2018 | |
| Pirene | 29-05-2021 | Full | Extreme Triathlon Series | 6500 | Spain | |||
| Sierra Nevada | 12-06-2021* | Full | Independent | TBC | Spain | |||
| Southman | 18-09-2021* | Full | Independent | 2500 | Spain | |||
| StarvationXTRI | 21-08-2021 | Full | XTRI World Tour Prospect | 5260 | USA | Iron Cowboys Race | 2021 | TBC vs Guardsman. Same? Replacement? |
| StoneBrixiaMan | 03-07-2021 | Full | Extreme Triathlon Series | 7050 | Italy | |||
| Swedeman | 14-08-2021 | Full | XTRI World Tour | 4697 |  Sweden | Swim finish at Waterfall. | 2018 | |
| Swissman | 26-06-2021 | Full | XTRI World Tour | 5750 | Switzerland | Run under a waterfall | 2013 | |
| Thor Beach | 07-08-2021 | Full/half/quarter | Independent | Very low |  Denmark | Tough swimming with big waves. Beach run | 2016 | Not seen as Xtri. Flat bike & run. |
| ThorXtri | 21-08-2021 | Full | Independent | 2400 | Norway | Toughest Xtri swim! Legendary bike hill. | ||
| TriathlonX | 03-07-2021 | Full | Independent | 7336 | England | "Toughest Xtri" (220 article) | 2015 | |
| Triverest | 16-07-2021 | Full/Plus | Independent | 8900 | Switzerland | Greatest ascents (tied with Himalayan) | ||
| Wataha Bieszczcady Extreme | 18-09-2021 | Full | Independent | 6200 | Poland | Mountains of The Wolf | 2021 | |
| Wild Siberia Xtreme | 24-07-2021 | Full | Independent | 3600 |  Russia | 2.5k 9c swim in 'Dead Lake' Cheybek-Kohl. | 2020 | |
| Winterman | 10-10-2021 | Full/Relay | Extreme Triathlon Series | 4700 |  Czech Republic | 9 km downstream swim. | 2015 |