Ambleside athlete Chris Stirling has gained an elite place in the world’s toughest triathlon.
He will take part in the Norseman Xtreme in Norway next summer, a point to point race that starts by jumping off a ferry into a fjord and ends on a mountain summit.
Chris, 32, who works at the Climbers Shop in Ambleside, was this year’s winner of the Wasdale triathlon, recognised as the world’s toughest at the half “iron man” distance. He finished second in the Celtman, the Scottish extreme triathlon, half an hour inside the previous course record.
Originally from Portishead, Bristol, Chris moved to the Lakes 10 years ago to live and train in the mountains. He has a background in climbing, mountaineering and fell running, and decided to start racing in 2012, triathlon and fell running. He represented Northern Ireland in mountain running events in 2013 and again this year.
He said: “I am very happy and honoured to make this list of international athletes. Norseman was part of my original inspiration for taking up triathlon in 2012 so you could say this is a dream come true. It certainly feels that way.”
Norseman Xtreme Triathlon is considered the ultimate triathlon on the planet, and the race that “any hard core triathlete should do at least once”.
The course runs point-to-point – or fjord to peak, starting at sea level, with a four-metre drop off a ferry into the Hardangerfjord, crossing the Hardangervidda mountain plateau, and finishing at the rocky peak of Gaustatoppen, at 1,850m above sea level and 220km away. There’s a total ascent of 5,000metres.
Chris, who trains six or seven days a week, often two or three sessions a day, is now looking for sponsors and supporters; he will need a back-up team to accompany him to Norway and transport.
PHOTO BY STEVE ASHWORTH /MOVIEIT
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