Mark: All right, many of us haven't been able to race this year, so you may already
be looking forward to next year and events to enter for 2021. Now you want that day
to be an amazing one, one to remember. Surely that's gonna be an Ironman or challenge branded
race, right? Or perhaps if you're looking at the shorter distances, then something like London
triathlon, Noosa triathlon or even Escape from Alcatraz, they will fit the bill quite nicely.
Well, they're all fantastic races. What if I was to tell you there's some other races
out there that are equally as good, but maybe a little off the radar?
Yet today, I'm going to have some fun. I'm going to be talking you through some epic
triathlons that you may well not have heard of but really should have.
[music] First of all, we have the Zarautz Triathlon in
a Basque Country in Spain. Had you heard of this one before because I certainly hadn't? This is
actually recommended to me by our very own Fraser, and despite me not knowing of it before, it's
actually been running since 1987. It's the oldest long-distance triathlon in Spain. It's got a ton
of history and heritage to it. It's even been won by the likes of Spanish legend Eneko Llanos, and
our very own Fraser has raced it twice before, and rate's it as his all-time favorite event.
Now, Fraser relays to me that everything about this event is a little bit different and obscure,
you actually start in the afternoon at 2 PM. You actually finish the race into the town center late
into the evening, so the cafes and restaurants are packed. The atmosphere is absolutely fantastic,
apparently. Also, the distance for the event is a little bit different. It's not over your normal,
say 70.3 distance, it's over a double Olympic distance, which apparently, also, back in the day
was more popular over on the continent in Europe. Now the swim is a point to point affair, which
apparently has very few markers out in the ocean, just to, I guess, add some navigational fun to the
event, and then the bike is a three lapper, including some pretty steep 25 plus percent
climbs, which again, Fraser recalls his back wheel spinning out on numerous times,
so gear selection is critical for this one. Then, finally, we've got that 20 kilometer run
on a five-kilometer loop around the edge of the town, coming into the town center
at the end for that atmospheric finish but it doesn't stop there because
actually Fraser also records having a pretty good afterparty. Now I needn't ask much more
than that, but apparently get two samples from local delicacies. It's got a massive barbecue
and plenty of cider. [music]
Next up, we have the Triathlon de Gerardmer. Hopefully, I haven't butchered that one. It's
in the Alsace region of France. Now, this northeasterly region of France has long been
associated with triathlon because actually, Iron Man France used to take place in this region,
up until around 2005, before it then moved a little further south down to the east, which
it's remained until today, but that means that the local community, the region, really
embrace the world of triathlon. A little bit like the previous event in Zarautz.
Now, the event itself is a little bit more actually like a festival because
it takes place over the entire weekend. On the Saturday they have their long-distance event,
which they call the XL, and then on Sunday, they have the shorter Olympic distance. In fact,
some crazy folk out that actually attempt to do both the XL and the Olympic distance,
which certainly isn't for the faint-hearted. Now, the swim itself takes place in a Crystal
Clear Lake before then embarking on a very mountainous ride. In fact,
some parts of the course are used in the Tour de France, and then returning back down to the
lake before then tracing the water's edge for the run. True to French enthusiasm for
anything endurance-related. The finishing shoot is packed full of spectators, and apparently,
the atmosphere is epic. [music]
Right, next on the list it is the Craggy Island Triathlon in Scotland. Now no guesses who added
this one to the list. Yes, it was our resident Scotsman Fraser but I am going to let him off
because Craggy Island Triathlon, it even sounds epic, and Fraser ensures me having
done it himself in the past, it really is epic. Now, it actually takes place,
well, the swim takes place between the mainland and the Island of Kerrera in a small channel,
and then the rest of the race takes place on the Isle of Karrera, which is entirely off-road.
In fact, there are no roads on this island. On the morning of the race. What they do
is they pick you up from the mainland with all your gear, take you over to the island,
you set up your transition in a sheep's field, they then ferry back over to the mainland.
You start that swim, you then do two laps on mountain bike of the island, and then you run
up and over the highest point of the island, taking some lovely panoramic views over to the
Isle of Mull and beyond before then coming down to the finish in which you're awarded
with some beer. Well, it is Scotland after all, though, I'm surprised it's not whiskey.
[music] What about OlympusMan
in Cyprus. This is a really interesting event that really does tend to go under the radar, yet
has many similarities to an event an epic triathlon that I'm sure many of you have heard of
Alpe d'Huez Triathlon because both events finish at the top of a mountain, with OlympusMan
finishing at the highest point in Cyprus. Now, the OlympusMan is a point to point
race starting in the beautiful clear waters in the popular beach resort of Paphos in Cyprus,
before then embarking on a lovely ride through vineyards and wooded valleys,
and then starting on the slopes of Mount Olympus. Going from sea level to over 2000 meters
in a single ride. Then for the run, it is a trail half marathon, up and around the top, in the
ski Center, which certainly isn't something you perhaps associate with a Mediterranean Island.
[music] Finally, we have the Coast to Coast
multi-sport event in New Zealand. Now I know this is a video about epic triathlons but I heard about
this event when I first started doing triathlon, and I'm sorry, there is no show, this is an epic,
epic event. Just listen to the format. It is run, bike, run, bike, run, kayak, bike,
and is rarely won in anything under 11 hours. Now, it starts on the east coast of New Zealand
with a 2.2 kilometer run to their bikes, for essentially a bit of a I guess a warm-up before
then taking on a 30-kilometer trail run over the infamous Goat Pass with a number
of river crossings through freezing cold water. The kayak section is a 70-kilometer
river section, along the Waimakariri River. I probably butchered that very sorry, but it has
some very swift-flowing water, with some rapids of up to grade two in size, which, I mean I'm no
paddler, but that sounds pretty intense, and then it finishes with a 70-kilometer bike ride. Again,
over some pretty grueling terrain. Now just to give this some association
with triathlon, it has actually been won by Braden Curry, who's multiple Ironman champion
back in 2015, as well as a number of podium finishes, as well as the accomplished
long-distance triathlete Dougal Allen, also competing in it and being on the podium. So yes,
a pretty epic event. And you should just check out some of the photos and videos from it.
Now, there we go. That's a small sample of epic triathlons, and I'm sorry, we are just
scratching the surface with this today. There are so many that we wanted to include, but there's not
enough time really. If you've done any of these to date, please get involved in the comment section
below. If you've got any you'd like to suggest, also drop them in the comment section below.
I hope you have enjoyed today's video, if so, please do give it a like, and don't forget
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if you're not doing so already. [00:07:55] [END OF AUDIO]