Held on Saturday, August 3, 2024, the 21st edition of the Zalaris Norseman Xtreme Triathlon might have appeared a little less daunting this year. The event started with calm waters, pleasant temperatures in Eidfjord, Norway, and an impressive sunrise.
Dubbed as one of the toughest triathlons in the world, the race comprises a 3,800m swim in the cold, deep waters of the Hardangerfjord, followed by a 180km cycle route through the rugged Norwegian landscape, then rounded off with a 42km marathon run. When the top-placed athletes cross the finish line, they have climbed an impressive 5,000m of altitude.
At dawn, a limited field of 259 athletes took the 05:00 CEST plunge from the ferry, greeted by water temperatures of around 17 degrees Celsius and a mirror-like fjord.
As the event organising team pointed out… ‘Don’t be deceived, Mount Gausta remains as unforgiving as ever.’
From calm waters to crushing climbs, the 1,883m Mount Gausta was the finish for the first 160 athletes at the Gaustatoppen climb checkpoint. They would go on to claim a coveted black t-shirt. The remainder were diverted to an alternate run course, to claim a white t-shirt, with all participants completing a full iron distance event.
Swedish athlete Sebastian Norberg clinched victory at Norseman 2024 with a time of 10 hours and 10 minutes. In the women’s race, German athlete Laura Zimmermann crossed the finish line as the first female, and the eighth overall finisher, posting a time of 11 hours 30 minutes.
