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Master List of Epic Races

Hey team,

I've been keeping a list of epic races that I'd be potentially interested in tackling one day as I come across them.  These would be more that the standard Ironman, ultra, or cycling event with something that makes them especially challenging.  Let's create a master list that perhaps can be turned into a wiki entry.

In no particular order, here are my lists...

Extreme Triathlons / Multisport Events

  • Ultraman Triathlon.  A three day stage-race style triathlon.  Held in Florida, Hawaii, and Australia.  Ultraman Canada became Ultra520k Canada.
  • Epic 5 Challenge.  5 Ironman distance events on each of the 5 Hawian Islands in 5 days.
  • Norseman Xtreme Triathlon.  Ironman distance with an icy swim and mountain climb for the run.
  • Alaskaman Extreme Triathlon.  Ironman distance with potentially cold swim and run finish climbing 4,000ft up a mountain.
  • Wilderman Off-Road Ironman.  Tough looking MTB ride with river crossings and a bushwhack of a run.  Iron and half-iron distances.
  • Doxa Threelay.  This is a 36 leg triathlon in Utah that is usually done by teams but can be done solo.
  • The Leadman.  Complete 5 of the Leadville races culminating in the MTB 100 and Trail Run 100.
  • Florida Extreme Triathlon.  3-day triathlon from coast to coast of Florida.
  • Celtman.  Triathlon through the Scottish highlands with a cold water swim in a loch and run over two mountains.
  • Swissman.  A point to point race starting in the southern part of Switzerland, leading over three mountain passes to the central part of Switzerland and finishing with a final climb in the heart of Switzerland just at the bottom of the massive mountain backdrop of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. More than 15,000ft of vertical.
  • Austria Xtreme Triathlon.  Patterned on Norseman, Celtman, and Norseman.  Has more than 15,000ft of vertical.
  • The Brutal Extreme Triathlon.  Half, full, double, and triple Iron distance with 2,500ft of climbing per 29 mile loop on the bike and the run finishes by ascending the tallest mountain in Wales.
  • Alpineman Xtreme Triathlon.  Similar to Norseman.  In Slovenia.
  • Canada Man Xtreme Triathlon.  Similar to above with 2500m of climbing on the bike and 1200m of climbing ont he run up to Mont-Mégantic Observatory.
  • Savageman 70.0.  One of the toughest half-iron distance races with over 6,000ft of climbing on the bike and 1,300ft on the run.
  • Challenge Iceland.  Half-iron distance with cold water swim and over 3,500ft of climbing on the bike.
  • St George Ironman 70.3.  Arguably the toughest Ironman-branded 70.3 with over 3,500ft of climbing on the bike and 1,200ft on the run in often extreme weather, ranging from 90F temps to monsoon rain and winds.  In my opinion, every long course triathlete, especially those in the western US, should do this race.
  • Ironman Wales and Ironman Lanzarote.  Arguably the toughest Ironman-branded 140.6 races.  Alternatively ranked 1st and 2nd.
  • Xterra Maui.  World championship for Xterra but general entry slots are available.  The toughest triathlon Al Truscott has ever done, which is saying alot.
  • American Zofingen.  Duathlon with trail running and road biking.
  • Powerman Zofingen.  The original, the unequaled, the unparalleled, baddest ass duathlon in the world.
  • SOS Triathlon.   The original bike, run, swim, run, swim, run, swim, run event.
  • Uberman Triathlon.  Swim the Catalina Channel, bike 400 miles from LA to the start of the Badwater run, and then do the Badwater run.  Absolutely insane. 
Ultras / Running Events
Cycling
This list is probably the most incomplete because I have the least interest in doing standalone cycling events.

What races would you add to the list?
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Comments

  • For starters, add the Florida Xtreme Triathlon to your list.  And you need to include  Celtman and Swissman ... sister races of Norseman.  Austriaman and Alpineman (Slovenia) are similar extremes as is The Brutal in the UK.

     Then consider adding shorter events that are known for their challenge.  E.g., St Croix 70.3 if this wasn't the last year.  SavageMan and Challenge Iceland are other possibilities.
  • edited May 20, 2017 5:27PM
    @Paul Hough great additions!  I've added them to the list.  I couldn't find any info on AlpineMan except a Facebook page.  I like the idea of including half-iron distance races that are especially challenging.  I also included St George Ironman 70.3.  I wish WTC would put on more Ironman-branded races that are this tough.
  • Running: Antarctic Marathon

    Duathlon: American Zofingen, and its Swiss progenitor

    Triathlon: Xterra on Maui. The hardest tri I've ever done - way more devastating than St George 70.3.

    Cycling:  Double Triple Bypass in CO (2 x 120 miles/20,000' gain) , Markleeville Death Ride in CA (129 mi/15,000'). RAMROD (Ride Around Mt Rainier in One Day 160 miles/10000'). RAW (Race Across The West San Diego to Durango on the RAAM route, same concept)

    And, to earn eternal icon status, this event:

    http://mustangtrailrace.com

    I trekked the route last year. These folks *run* up and down a totally desolate and isolated section of Nepal north of Annapurna, at altitude from 9000-14,000' feet. No roads, just trails. 25% grades are common.
  • @Al Truscott awesome additions!  I've included them in the master list above.  

    I'd love to do all of these!  The Antarctica Marathon and Mustang Trail Race especially look like true bucket list races.

    Interesting about Xterra Maui.  I have a few friends who've done it, and they all said it was tough.  I thought Xterra Utah was probably pound for pound the toughest tri I've done with a nearly continuous MTB climb of around 3000ft up to Snowbasin and then starting the run by charging up the ski slopes.  Maui would have high WAF, so good chance I'll do it in the next few years.
  • I'm glad my 2017 plan to do the Double Triple Bypass made the list! booya!
  • @Gabe Peterson - hope you are editing the list ^^up there^^
    note that the American Zofingen run course is single track & gravel carriage roads, the bike is on paved roads with a short gravel section. 
    add the sea2summit triathlon in Maine/NH - swim in an estuary of the Atlantic in the AM & summit Mt Washington after a 92 mile bike with a 2000' net gain included in the 5000' of climbing 
  • Sorry Gabe - you aren't allowed to enter American Zofingen without FIRST putting Powerman Zofingen on the list ... the original, the unequaled, the unparalleled, baddest ass duathlon in the world.  I came back with 2 stress fractures and a torn muscle when I did it.  Powerman Zofingen is what Al was telling you when he mentioned AmZof's "Swiss progenitor".

  • Seattle to Portland, the one day version. 210 miles, 5400' elevation gain, and most often a head wind.
  • @Gabe Peterson

    Here's the website for Alpineman, it belongs on the list:  http://www.alpinemanxtri.com/index.php/en/

    For cycling, think about La Vuelta - 375 miles around Puerto Rico in 3 days.  I am entered for Jan 2018 and will write a report about it afterwards:  http://www.vueltapr.com/
  • edited May 25, 2017 7:36PM
    Apologies for the delayed reply.  Work and life got in the way.  I'll update the master list with the feedback ^^^ this weekend.

    One question that occurred to me: what is considered the toughest Ironman-branded 140.6?  IM Lanzarote?

    @Scott%20Dinhofer my bad, I wasn't sure what a carriage road was since that's not really a thing on the west coast.  I'll fix it.  I love Sea2Summit!  I remembered you and Tim doing it but couldn't remember the name.

    @Paul Hough I wasn't sure what race Al was referring to -- thanks for the clarification.  Powerman Zofingen sounds like a monster!  La Vuelta sounds epic too!

    @tim cronk Wow, those are just beyond epic!  I can't imaging swimming from Catalina Island, biking to the start of Badwater, and then running Badwater.  Are you considering it? :)

    @Mariah Bridges I love it, mix some adrenaline in with your endorphins!

    @Mark Maurer one of my buddies has done that and said it was super tough.  I thought it was Portland to Seattle?  Is there a another race?



  • @Gabe, Absolutely HELL NO... The only reason I know about this race is one of the crew for Simon Shurey at UMHC this November Pedro Paixao is doing it... I found out about it on April Fools day and assumed he was joking but he was NOT....Pretty sure if you finish you win... Only one solo and one relay finished last year....  The other Infintus 888k is a race a friend of mine Kale Poland completed (being one of only a couple people to ever finish). Not doing that one either...
  • @Gabe Peterson - add the SOS Triathlon to this list, it's only a few hours long, but it's the original bike, run, Swim, Run, Swim, run, Swim, Run event... Cronk & I are both itching for this one in Sept '18
  • tim cronk said:
     Not doing that one either...
    yeah, tha'ts what I said about AmZof long course.... next year if they don't cancel, again.. 
  • @Gabe Peterson no it's Seattle to Portland although last year I met a guy on the road a day before the ride who was riding from Portland to Seattle in one day, carrying his stuff in a backpack no less. The next day he was going to ride back in one day. 
  • @Gabe Peterson - re your question:  "... what is considered the toughest Ironman-branded 140.6?  IM Lanzarote?"

    Trirating.com says IM Wales is the hardest with IM Lanzerote the second hardest of Ironman-branded fulls.
    IronIndex.com says IM Lanzarote is the hardest with IM Wales the second hardest.

    Judging by the number of finishers in the senior age groups, it appears to me that TriRating is correct and IM Wales is toughest.  E.g,. 7 finishers in M65 at Lanzarote this month while Wales has never had more than 2.  Also 2 finishers in M70 at Lanzarote this year while IM Wales has never had even 1.
  • @Gabe Peterson - re your question:  "... what is considered the toughest Ironman-branded 140.6?  IM Lanzarote?"

    Trirating.com says IM Wales is the hardest with IM Lanzerote the second hardest of Ironman-branded fulls.
    IronIndex.com says IM Lanzarote is the hardest with IM Wales the second hardest.

    Judging by the number of finishers in the senior age groups, it appears to me that TriRating is correct and IM Wales is toughest.  E.g,. 7 finishers in M65 at Lanzarote this month while Wales has never had more than 2.  Also 2 finishers in M70 at Lanzarote this year while IM Wales has never had even 1.
    I just met some people that have done IM Wales for its entire run (6 or 7 years now?) and I wish I would have asked!
  • @Paul Hough great answer!  Ironman Wales wasn't even on my radar.  I had no idea it was so tough.  I went ahead and added it and Lanzarote to the list above.
  • @Mark Maurer that's a really cool article!  I did a little reading on this and it turns out there are other "rounds" in different regions of the UK and Ireland listed below.  I've listened to a couple podcasts about fell running, and it sounds like it would be a blast!

    I'll add this to the master list.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fell_running#24-hour_challenges
  • @Gabe Peterson  - I've lived in England but was in East Anglia where there was nothing nearly steep enough to qualify as a Fell race.  I'm leaving for England tomorrow and will be in the Lake District and other places with fell races but could not align my schedule to get one.  The UK rates fell races as A, B, and C with A being the longest and most difficult.  If you are doing an "A" race, and for some "B" races, you have to carry an emergency kit with food, flashlight, whistle, and waterproof nylon pants and jacket in case fog comes in and you get lost.  The closest thing in the US would be races put on by the SkyRunning Association.  See the FY17 schedule here: https://www.usskyrunning.com/raceseries 

  • @Paul Houghyou're living the dream -- traveling all over the world doing epic events!  Totally jealous.

    Surprised I'd never heard of SkyRunning Association.  Even more surprised they don't have a race in Utah, since they are sponsored by Altra which is a Utah company.

    A similar type of race with big vertical is the Speadgoat 50k at Snowbird, UT that has almost 15,000ft of vertical.  The finish times are usually in line with 50-milers.  It's on my bucket list of races, especially since it's 20 minutes from my home.  Just haven't been able to make it work with my schedule.  

    http://karlmeltzer.com/speedgoat-50k/
  • Sorry Gabe, gotta do it while I still can.  I watched my folks travel less and less as they aged.  I have my 71 yr old mother in law in tow and she cannot do anything with significant climbing.I got my ass up early in York this morning to run 5.5 miles before walking on stone all day.  I took yesterday off but did hike up Stanage Edge with my daughter while driving the Peak District. Wife and mother in law stayed in the car down at the bottom.
  • The closest thing in the US would be races put on by the SkyRunning Association.  See the FY17 schedule here: https://www.usskyrunning.com/raceseries 

    I did the Breakneck point trail runs last year, put on by Red Newt racing, the group that does the whiteface race of the sky series. Breakneck course was detuned this year due to a big re-route, the vertical dropped tremendously from the half mary 5400' that I did last year. They still have the 1400' rock scramble up breakneck ridge.. 
    check out the video.. http://rednewtracing.com/BreakneckPoint/Media
  • a new thing not long drive for me... dunno if it could be considered epic yet, 2017 is their first edition

    http://www.caxtri.com/description_eng.html

    *A 3.8 km swim on Lac Mégantic, starting at dawn;

    *180 km of biking along the Route des Sommets with an elevation gain of 2500 m;
    *42 km of running along roads and trails with the ultimate finish line at the summit of Mont-Mégantic…an elevation gain of 1 200 m by the time you reach the Mont-Mégantic Observatory!




  • @Paul Hough awesome work!

    @Scott%20Dinhofer that looks badass!

    @Francis Picard looks like another challenging Xtreme triathlon.  You should do it!  I've added it to the list.

    I got an email that Epic 5 now has an event where you run five 50ks in five days on each of the five Hawaiian islands.  I'd personally be more interested in this than the Epic 5 triathlon.  It just seems a shame to only spend a day on each island.  Added to the master list. 


  • This thread scares me
  • This thread scares me
    @Brenda Ross LOL.

    Please consider making the list a Wiki article for EN.  I'd love to see more and more ENer "doing cool shit with their fitness vehicle," to quote Rich.  Perhaps it could be a challenge for third year ENers to pick something off the list. :smiley:
  • Would love to check off all of these in my lifetime.  "Do Epic Shit", right?!?
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