The third edition of the BlueRedGreen sXTRI – billed as an extreme sprint triathlon – returns to lakes located near the town of Imotski in southern Croatia.
Held on July 9, 2022 (with 750m swimming, 20km cycling and 5km running), the event features athletes from Poland, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as local Croatians.
In the hinterland of the Makarska Riviera in Croatia, the town of Imotski contains two natural phenomena – Red Lake and Blue Lake. These lie in deep sinkholes possibly formed by the collapse of caves. The town of Imotski is also known as the town of the deep lakes (13 lakes in total).
The unique sprint distance triathlon starts with two laps of 375m swimming in the Blue Lake (Modro jezero). Here, the lake temperature is typically 1-2 degrees colder than the Adriatic Sea. The total depth of Blue Lake from the upper rim is around 220m. Although the water depth varies significantly by season – with snow from nearby mountains melting to raise the water level in the spring, and water levels dropping notably in the summer season.
Red Lake is situated approximately 1.5km from Blue Lake. This lake is one of the deepest in Europe, and it got its name from the red rocks that surround it. Here, swimming isn’t permitted.
The race course adds further challenges for athletes with the configuration of climbs and steps, particularly as athletes head approximately 1.2 km to transition at T1 following the swim. Here, 313 steep steps need to be navigated.
The bike course is closed for traffic with athletes directed along the local main road. Then, the run consists of one lap on an asphalted road. At the beginning of the run are a series of climbs with 127 steps towards Blue and Red Lake followed by a climb of 101 steps towards the Topana Fortress. This was built in the 10th century and dominates over the town where the finish line is located.
“This is the most difficult and one of the most spectacular sprint triathlon courses in the world,” said Andrej Vištica, a pro triathlete and IRONMAN record holder from Croatia who is also the event’s brand ambassador and winner of the previous, second edition of the race.
Matko Divic, Race Director and current president of Triathlon Club Imotski, said “The story of our triathlon club with its identity and vision is also highlighted on a coat of arms. The pictogram on the coat of arms is based on a classic design that represents the position of competitors in triathlon, where segments of swimming, cycling and running alternate at the locations of natural monuments of the Blue and Red and Green Lakes.
“As part of the Blue – Red – Green Lake project, we want to promote triathlon as an attractive, dynamic and desirable sport, but also the city of Imotski as a sports and tourist destination.”
www.tkimotski.com/en/sprint-x-triathlon
www.visitimota.com
