In the unique surroundings of the Lofoten Islands we are offering you the opportunity to do an amazing race – Lofoten Triathlon!
This Race Manual is for the extreme distance – 4 km swim, 181 km bike ride and 42 km run.
At Lofoten Triathlon the organizers will do ALL SUPPORT. No external support is accepted.
We would like anyone to be able to come to Lofoten without having to get his or her own support crew and support car. You save money and work and we all save the environment.
Before you register for The Arctic Triple – Lofoten Triathlon you MUST read the Race Manual thoroughly. It is crucial that you are aware of what the race will require both for preparations and throughout the race. This is an extreme challenge. Case closed. Be prepared.
Enjoy the read and look forward to a mind moving experience with The Arctic Triple Lofoten Triathlon Extreme!
The Arctic Triple event series has a strong focus on the environment. We want to do everything we can to make the most environmentally friendly races in the world – and having hundreds of support cars on the roads does not sound right. That way the roads are less crowded and safer for the athletes and crew.
The route for Lofoten Triathlon will have removable little flags marking the track so that the experience is as natural and untouched as possible, both during the race and after. We also actively try not to produce any unnecessary items that most likely will end up as trash or in the back of a closet.
We are lucky to be able to do The Arctic Triple in the amazing and wild nature of the Lofoten islands, and for this to continue we need to take care. It is under no circumstances allowed to throw any trash along the track. There will be trash buckets on the service points – throw trash there and nowhere else.
Note! If athletes are seen throwing trash on the track this will lead to to penalties or even disqualification.
Leave nothing but a “Thank you!” behind.
Register at www.thearctictriple.com
Age limit 18 years
No external support is allowed during the race – you can only be supported by the Lofoten Triathlon Crew
Prerace brief the evening before the race
The cut off times are as follows:
Swim – 2,15 hours
Bike – 10 hours after start
Run – must pass 37 KM within 16 hours after start
Swim start Friday at 05:00 (local time) in Svolvær harbor
A Special needs bag for the bike leg is optional for the athletes
The bag will be handed out about halfway on the bike leg
You may change trainers before the terrain/mountain leg of the run. Change in T2.
All finishers will be awarded a finisher shirt
Please check www.thearctictriple.com for updated info. We also recommend you to follow us on facebook, twitter and Instagram.
Many are eager to do all three races – to get an official result you must complete them all in 12 months:
GOLD – Lofoten Skimo 4000+, Lofoten Ultra-Trail 100 Miles and Lofoten Triathlon Extreme
SILVER – Lofoten Skimo 4000+, Lofoten Ultra-Trail 50 Miles and Lofoten Triathlon Extreme
BRONZE – Lofoten Skimo 1000+, Lofoten Ultra-Trail 24KM and Lofoten Triathlon Olympic+
The entry fee includes full support and some nice extras:
Early breakfast Thon Hotel Lofoten (only athletes staying at Thon Hotel Lofoten)
Start kit
Swim cap
The Arctic Triple buff
Timing
GPS tracking
First aid
Evacuation transport
Drink and food stations
Finisher shirt
Warm meal after finish
Meal deals
All Norwegian athletes are required to have an annual triathlon license or day license from the national organization in order to start. A day license can be purchased when you register for Lofoten Triathlon at www.thearctictriple.com.
Note! Foreign athletes should have a national triathlon licenses. All athletes sign a “Release of Liability” when entering The Arctic Triple, which states your responsibility for own safety.
The entry fee is non-refundable, no matter the cause of your cancellation.
Athletes will be allowed to sell (re-register) their slot until one week of race day.
Buying and selling slots will be handled in the booking system.
For your information, Norwegian law states: “It is illegal to sell tickets for a cultural and sporting events at a higher price than the price shown on the ticket by the organizer, or as a ticket first was sold for.” (LOV-2007-06-29-86).
Lofoten Triathlon is an extreme distance triathlon that covers a total of 227 km.
The track will be marked, but all athletes are responsible to know the track.
For more details on the route please check out the map here.
Start – T1 – T2 – Finish
Having the starting line, T1, T2 and the finish line centered around and on the town square in Svolvær makes Lofoten Triathlon both audience friendly and gives a good logistic concept.
4 km. Water start. The swim leg circles around the pier in Svolvær harbor under normal weather conditions. The alternative route is on the inner side of the pier, protected from strong waves.
181 km. Start from Svolvær city square. Follow E10 to Sundklakk. Circle around Gimsøy, which differs from many other islands in Lofoten with its flat land on one side and steep mountains on the other. Back out on E10 at the Gimsøystraumen bridge and back towards Svolvær. Go back towards Svolvær Square the same way you went out and get your special need bag and food station there before you go back out. Follow E10 all the way to Fiskebøl, mostly with the fjord on the right and mountains of your left hand side. At Fiskebøl you take left from the E10 and on to Pollveien and Midnattsolveien. This is a very scenic road on the northside of Austvågøy passing Strønstad, Morfjord, Delp and Laukvik, where you find a food station. From Laukvik turn right on Midnattsolveien and follow it all the way until you hit the main road E10. Turn right and follow E10 all the way to Svolvær and the same way into the transition zone.
43 km. Start from Svolvær city square. Four rounds in the area around Svolvær. Mix of tarmaq, gravel and trails. On the final two laps you will cross the mountain Tjeldbergtinden (367 mas), which offers an epic view of Lofoten.
Round 1: 10 km
Round 2: 10 km
Round 3: 12 km
Round 4: 12 km
Note! To be allowed to continue across the last mountain you must be at the checkpoint at the start of the mountain 16 hours after start at 21:00.
The GPS files for The Arctic Triple Lofoten Triathlon can be downloaded at www.thearctictriple.com.
Cut off after 2 hours and 15 minutes. Swimmers that are still in the water will be picked up and are not allowed to finish the race.
Cut off time is 10 hours after start.
To be allowed to start on the terrain part of the run leg athletes must
– pass the 37 km check point within 16 hours after start at 21:00.
Lofoten Triathlon general rules are based on the rules and regulations of the International Triathlon Union (ITU).
All athletes must be over 18 years of age.
All athletes must present a valid photo ID (passport or drivers license). Norwegians must have a valid triathlon license to compete, issued by their national triathlon federation at registration.
The time chip must be worn during the whole race. If the chip is lost it is the athlete’s responsibility to contact the Lofoten Triathlon Crew to get a new chip.
Note! The time chip must be worn on your right leg pointing outwards.
The GPS tracker must be worn at the bike leg and the run leg. NOT on the swim leg. Remember to put it on in T1! The tracker is an important safety device for the organizers, but also fun for both supporters and the audience in general to follow the athletes online during the race.
All athletes must keep their gear within their given area in T1/T2. If the gear is left outside the box this may lead to time penalties.
Full wetsuit is mandatory. Neoprene swim cap, west and neoprene socks are optional, but recommended as the water can be quite cold. Gloves are not permitted at the swim leg.
Note! All athletes are responsible to check in with the responsible crew before entering the water.
The race number must be visible from the back at all times.
Do not get on the bike until you are out of T1 (passed the mount line) and have strapped on your helmet.
On return to T2 – get off the bike BEFORE you enter the dismount line.
The bike course is open to regular traffic. Road traffic regulations must be strictly observed at all times.
The following will lead to time penalties and/or disqualification:
Violating traffic regulations
Use of headphones, headsets or mobile phones while on the bike
Pacing on the bike leg, either by car or bike
Drafting off another athlete or motor vehicle. Minimum distance between each athlete is 10 meters, measured from back wheel to front wheel.
The bike must be in good working order. All bikes must have working lights, both front and rear. Helmets must be approved by a national accredited testing authority, or have the CE stamp.
There will not be any technical support on the bike leg and each athlete have to be self-provided regarding technical issues. However, each service station will have a bike pump and basic umbraco kit.
The following will lead to time penalties and/or disqualification:
Violating traffic regulations
Use of headphones
Medical Crew from Lofoten Triathlon may remove a competitor from the race should there be a health or injury risk to the competitor at any time during the race. The use of non-legal performance enhancement supplements or drugs is forbidden. Anti-doping Norway may perform random drug tests of the athletes.
All athletes will sign the document «Release from Liability» when enrolling for Lofoten Triathlon on www.thearctictriple.com.
Due to the temperate waters of the Gulf Stream, Lofoten has a much milder climate than other parts of the world at the same latitude, such as Alaska and Greenland. The coastal climate in Lofoten makes the winters mild and the summers relatively cool. July and August are warmest with an average temperature of 12°C.
Please make notice that the weather in Lofoten can be extremely changeable all year. Even though, good, warm weather is the forecast, wet and brisk intervals may occur. Be prepared!
Water temperature: 13-16 °C
Air Temperature: 12-25 °C
Winds: Be prepared for heavy winds!
Note! If the winds are too strong athletes might have to get off the bikes and walk over some of the bridges.
The Arctic Triple – Lofoten Triathlon has a strong focus on safety. The safety crew will be very well prepared for their mission and in close cooperation with local rescue teams.
All athletes must check in to do the swim leg
Kayaks and rib will follow swimmers
Signal to kayaks if need for assistance
Short distance to land at the entire swim leg
No headphones
Follow traffic rules
Bike must be in good condition and have lights in back and front
No drafting!
No headphones
Follow traffic rules on the road towards the 25 km check point, run on the left side of the road.
There is one short tunnel after ca 3KM, pay attention.
On the terrain leg there will be safety crew present on crucial spots with gear available to keep any athlete warm and safe in case of need for evacuation.
Note! It is an extremely demanding terrain leg – athletes MUST be prepared to use many hours to cross the two mountains. The run is highly technical.
This is a triathlon where the organizers will do ALL SUPPORT. No external support is accepted. We would like anyone to be able to come to Lofoten without having to get your own support crew and support car. You save money and work and we all save the environment and improve the safety of the race.
Social running is allowed, but the person must not run in front or give any form of race support.
Note! Receiving support from anyone else but the Lofoten Triathlon Crew will lead to time penalties and/or disqualification.
We want to contribute to less plastic garbage and less waste in general. The pile of used water bottles after a race is a sour sight and there is always lots of sports drink mix that goes down the drain. You may refill your bottles at the stations on the bike leg with water, and add sports drink mix if needed.
There will be a food and drink station at Svolvær Torg (start, T1/T2, finish line). In addition,
there will be 5 stations with food and drink at the bike leg. At the run leg there will be 4 food
and drink stations and 3 self-service water stations. Running water in nature are ok to drink.
Drink – water and sports drink. Coca Cola on the run leg. Bring your own cup (we're trying to reduce waist).
Food – The Arctic Triple bun, chips, nuts, bananas and sanwiches. Warm soup at BLS 4, CP 3, CP 4 and T1/T2.
Basic medic kit and warm blankets.
Each service station at the bike leg will have a bike pump and umbraco kit.
Stations Lofoten Triathlon //Extreme | Where | WC |
T1 | Svolvær Torg | Yes |
Bike Leg Station 1 | Gimsøy Landhandel 52KM | No |
Bike Leg Station 2 (Special ned bag) | Svolvær Square 87 KM | YES |
Bike Leg Station 3 | Laupstad 109KM | No |
Bike Leg Station 4 | Laukvik 151 KM | No |
T2 | Svolvær Torg 186 KM | Yes |
Run Leg Station 1 | Kongsmarka 191KM | No |
Run Leg Station 2 | Svolvær Torg 195KM | Yes |
Run Leg Station 3 | Kongsmarka 201KM | No |
Run Leg Station 4 | Svolvær Torg 205KM | Yes |
Run Leg Station 5 | Kongsmarka 211KM | No |
Run Leg Station 6 | Svolvær Torg 205KM | Yes |
Run Leg Station 7 | Kongsmarka 222 KM | No |
Finish area | Svolvær Torg 227 KM | Yes |
Note! Athletes are advised to have their own drink and food at T1/T2 on the town square in Svolvær and in the optional special needs bag for the bike leg.
If you withdraw from the race at any point, it is mandatory to inform the organizers. Please note that resources are limited so that transport back to Svolvær might take a while. We’ll do our best to make sure you are kept safe and warm during the wait, but please be patient while waiting for transport.
Please find information about travel and stay here
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