Swim leg:

• 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.

Bike leg:

• 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)

Map (Click for larger version)

Download this map here or check out the Google Maps version (where you also can download a Google Earth map)

Profile (Click for larger version)

This shows meters above water on the left, per km on the bottom. Yes, this is in meters, the course is rather hilly.

The distance is accurate!

The Norseman course has been accurately measured supported by the norwegian society of marathon (Kondis).The bike: 179,956 meters.The run: 37,413 meters from T2 to the mountain check point at Stavsro. Plus 4,752 meters from Stavsro to Mt Gaustatoppen. Total 42,165 meters.

Above: Transcript of the measurement.

Information about the different legs

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!