Hva er Norseman?

Dette er den offisielle informasjonen om Norseman 2008. Det er en hard dag med mye bakker! INFORMATION FOR 2008 Course description and profile, with service station info:

Swimming: 3,8 kilometers in the Hardangerfjord. The water temperature is expected to be between 15,5 to 17,5 degrees Celsius. Wetsuit is mandatory. Water-start after getting out of the boat. Cycling: 180 kilometers from Eidfjord, up Måbudalen, highway 7 over Hardangervidda to Geilo, highway 40 down Numedalen and over to Tessungdalen. Transition zone (T2) is in Austbygde. Running: 42,2 kilometers from Austbygde, via Rjukan and up to the top of Gaustatoppen. This means 25 kilometers fairly flat and 17,2 kilometers with an extreme climb up to 1.850 meters. Total distance: 226 kilometers. (140.4 miles)

Click on map for larger detailed version...

Profile description of course: This shows meters above water on the left, per km on the bottom. Click on image for larger version. Yes, this is in meters, the course is rather hilly. (measured with a Polar 710). No service stations during the bike leg: This is due to the very limited parking capacity during this part of the race. The roads are small and narrow and cannot have many support cars parked side by side at the same time. Service stations during the marathon leg: No permanent support stations are available during the first 25 km of the marathon, but there are water stations, toilets and mobile support from Red Cross. There are food stations up the hills. Mountain safety checkpoint in Stavsro: After 37.5 kilometers of the run, you will leave the asphalt road and enter the rocky mountain path for the last 4.7 kilometers. There is a risk of extreme weather conditions in the mountain. Therefore, there will be a special checkpoint to assure that: · You are fit enough to continue to the finish. · Both you and your support team have the necessary equipment in a backpack, containing warm clothes, food and drink. You must carry your own equipment. · You will not be allowed to enter the mountain alone. If your support team does not follow you into the mountain, you will be held back and connected to the next competitor. This concerns all competitors. You are not allowed to enter the mountain alone! Street sign showing the % climb in the first hill up to Dyranut: Street sign showing the % climb in the 3 hills from Geilo: