- The first official Triathlon took place
in the early 1970s,
and now there are a number of iconic races
that should be on everyone's bucket list.
And the great thing is,
you don't need to qualify for most of them.
Anyone can do them.
(upbeat music)
Coming in at number 10,
we have the Laguna Phuket Triathlon
taking place in the 1000 acre, tropical paradise.
It starts with a 1.8 km swim,
split in two, first with a sea swim,
then into the lagoon where you already
notice the difference in buoyancy.
We then go into a challenging 55 km bike
over a punchy terrain,
and then finishing with a flat, but hot 12 km run,
with the winner getting to cross the line with an elephant.
In at number nine, we have the Noosa Triathlon,
which is a standard distance triathlon
taking place in Noosa on the sunshine coast of Australia.
As since it started in 1983,
it has evolved from a one-day event
to a multi-sport event over five days.
The Sunday is the triathlon which attracts
some of the top professionals in the world,
and is actually one of the largest
standard distance races in the world.
And number eight, we have XTERRA France,
which is often referred to as one of the toughest,
and most technical courses on the XTERRA circuit.
It starts with a one mile swim,
followed by a gruelling, 41 km mountain bike course,
taking in steep climbs, wooden ramps, and even tight trails.
It then finishes with a lung-busting, 10 km off-road run.
In at number seven, we have OTILLO Engadin,
which takes place in the Engadin valley of Switzerland,
near to St. Moritz.
And it's actually one of the original swim-run events
outside of the Otillo events in Scandinavia.
Now, you race as a pair over the 46 km
of continuous swimming and running,
meaning you wear your wetsuit and running shoes
throughout the whole race.
And it consists of 40 km of off-road trail running,
and 10 km of swimming in the cold, alpine lakes
as you work your way up the mountain.
In at number six, we have IRONMAN Wales,
and it's deemed as one of the toughest,
IRONMAN-branded races out there.
It's not the course for a PB,
but it will certainly test you.
If I'm not selling it to you,
it's also considered to be one of the best
for spectators in atmosphere.
It starts in the small bay of Tenby
and it has an interesting run from the swim to T1,
as you run up the zigzag cliff,
followed by a one km run through town to your bike,
and that's before you even start the hilly, 180 km bike
and then the 42.2 km run.
And although it's tough, everyone seems to love it.
In at number five, we have the Wildflower Triathlon
and it's actually one of the most popular and longest
running triathlons in the world,
but sadly it was cancelled in 2017 due to drought.
However, we are pleased to say it's back on.
Now, the Wildflower Long Course Triathlon
starts with a 1.9 km swim in the lake, San Antonio,
followed by a challenging, 90 km bike,
including rolling hills,
plus the steep one mile beach hill
and the five mile nasty, grade climb
that all finishes with a mixed terrain, half-marathon run.
And it's actually a favourite for
pro-triathlete, Jesse Thomas,
who's won it every year he's raced it since 2011.
And at number four, we have the Alpe d'Huez Triathlon,
one of the most impressive and challenging races
in the world, set in the middle of the French Alps.
Now there are a number of different distances,
but they all start in the cold waters of the Lac du Verney,
at around 2,300 feet of altitude.
The long course event takes on a 2.2 km swim
then the 115 km bike covers three mountain passes,
including the famous Alpe d'Huez
and then it finishes with a 22 km run
at the Alpe d'Huez resort
on a mixture of paved roads and trails.
In at number three, we have Challenge Roth.
Now, this historic course is considered to be
the fastest, iron distance course in the world,
with the men's record currently standing
at seven hours and 35 minutes set by Jan Frodeno in 2016.
Whilst the women's record stands at eight hours
and eighteen minutes set by Chrissie Wellington in 2011.
It's a 3.8 km swim in the canal,
started with a cannon and hot air balloons,
and then a 180 km bike over a spectator-packed course.
And you even get to split the spectators
as you climb the Solar hill.
And then it finishes with a fast 42.2 km run.
This race has a great festival atmosphere
and it concludes with a giant firework display.
In at number two,
we have the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon.
Now, this race starts with you jumping off the ferry
near to Alcatraz island,
into the icy cold waters of San Francisco Bay,
and then swimming the 1.5 miles back to shore
as if you are an escaping prisoner.
And to make this event really epic,
you're jumping into 12 degree Celsius water,
choppy conditions and even strong currents.
But the fun doesn't stop there,
because you exit the swim onto a hilly, 18 mile bike course
and then it finishes with an eight mile run,
including the Equinox Sand Ladder of 400 steps up the cliff.
However, the event has become so popular,
organisers have had to resort to a lottery
and qualification process to fill the slots,
capped at 2,000 entries.
(drum roll)
And at number one, we have the Norseman Xtreme Triathlon
Norseman race footage provided by Isklar / Dominoproductions
And in a similar way to Escape from Alcatraz,
athletes start off the back of a ferry,
plunging into freezing cold fjord waters
to complete a 3.8 km swim.
Then, they start a 180 km bike through the
scenic Norwegian terrain,
and then they finish with a 42.2 km run
to the top of Mount Gaustatoppen,
at 1,800 metres above sea level.
So there's my top 10 bucket list of events,
but if you have any suggestions,
please drop them in the comments below.
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