On 11 October, Elba Island in Italy (home of the Elbaman half and full distance events) is throwing down a new challenge. Just 200 years after the 1814 landing of Napoleon, new event Kolossal is ready to be unleashed; and Elba is ready to welcome guest athletes who are ‘in search of their own limits in an epic adventure, discovering the true face of the whole island.’
The inaugural Kolossal event is billed as a real assault on Elba Island through its eight ancient towns of Capoliveri, Porto Azzurro, Rio Elba, Rio Marina, Portoferraio, Marciana, Marciana Marina and Campo nell’Elba… and is positioned as ‘the only true conquest of Elba Island’.
The Kolossal is divided into four stages. Starting from the legendary Pareti Bay, then swimming for 3K along the island coast towards the south-east, athletes will reach the historic Madonna delle Grazie Beach. Here, with a short walk on the beach, athletes start swimming again towards Zuccale Beach.
The second leg (40K by mountain bike) is the first sign of the harshness of the challenge. Initially this offers up a 3K regular stretch, but the hard ascent then takes athletes to the amazing scenery of the Mount Calamita Bike Park, a home for the MTB World Cup.
Then the course moves along a spectacular route overlooking the entire island. The course is characterized by historic military dirt roads, charming single track, old deserted mines and breath-taking views. The difficulty is apparent throughout, with 25% maximum ascents and a 6% average slope.
The third race stage is 127K long; and offers up a full road perimeter of the island characterized by continuous slopes with incredible views overlooking the crystal clear sea. This bike stage also involves the crossing of the historic centres of all eight municipalities, ‘a real conquest of the island’.
Then the fourth leg, a trail run, is 30K long. The organisers note that here, ‘We have to underline that using a head torch is compulsory.’ This final, demanding stage retraces a part of Mount Calamita Bike Park and, in the final stretch, the ancient streets of the historic centre of Capoliveri.
The finish is located in the historic and picturesque Piazza Matteotti, which has been home to many international concerts and shows – and is thus well-used to accommodating large events.
To take part in the Kolossal, athletes have to have been a finisher in two iron distance triathlon races over the last 4 years (since 2010), or in one iron distance event plus 5 half iron races (again since 2010). Alternatively, to qualify, athletes should have finished an Embrunman (France) or in Inferno Triathlon (Switzerland) race.
Entry for Kolossal is scheduled to open on 4 May (the 200th anniversary of Napoleon’s 1814 landing on Elba Island).
