2024 Wilderman Triathlon

Frost Fire Park:
• 11950 Co Hwy 55
• Walhalla, ND
• 58282

• Map & Directions

 _ 2024 Wilderman Triathlon:

This is an epic race. Please--before you decide to do this race read the race reports from previous races (links at the bottom of the page).  Go into this baby with your eyes open... 

If you thought IRONMAN™ (or even XTERRA™) was the end of the road - the big enchilada - the pinnacle of multi-disciplinary solo effort endurance sports - think again.  

Wilderman Full: 2.4 miles of swimming, 113.4 miles of gravel grinding, mountain biking and stream crossing, and 26.7 miles of the gnarliest trail running in the state.
Wilderman Half: 1.2 miles of swimming, slightly more than 63.8 miles on the bike, and 16.2 miles of trail running.

 

The swim will take place in the Mt. Carmel recreation area reservoir, outside of Langdon, ND. It will be a two loop swim with a beach start. Water temperature should be in the upper 70’s or low 80’s.

The bike course will start at the reservoir, connect to a loop through the gorge which will be completed twice, and end at a remote location. Bikes will be transported from the remote location to the finish line for you.  About 1/3 of the bike leg takes place on a state maintained multi-use trail system.  General mountain bike skills are all that is required and although there are many hairpin turns and undulating terrain, the trails are relatively wide and don't require expert biking skills.  There may be a few short sections of tougher terrain, but if conditions are dry the bike course will awesome.  The balance of the miles will be on gravel or minimum maintenance roads.  Again, lots of climbing, though no single climb will be bigger than 400' of ascent. Each loop will involve at least one river crossing (without a bridge), which in most years is fordable at thigh deep or less levels.  If it is a high water year we will provide lifejackets at the crossing and possibly a rope and/or raft (for ferrying the bike). Normal or low water years you will be responsible for your own bike at the crossing. Average bike time for all full riders is about 11.5 hours. [updated 2019-07-06]

The run is a doozy. It will be extremely grueling. Starting at the remote location, the run is  a continuous one way trip to the finish line. 75% of the run's length will be in the gorge proper on a network of hunter trails and creek bottom running.  20% will be on gravel roads.  Less than 5% will be pavement. It is spectacular country but the ascents and descents, although relatively short, will be frequent, sometimes very steep, and often punishing.  There are approximately 6 miles of creek bottom running.  Some is easy, shale bottomed creek while some is more rugged with possible boulders, deadfall, and/or other obstacles. The trails will vary signifigantly from good double track to rough and rutted (and at times partly overgrown) ATV trail, to very narrow singletrack.  The run will involve one significant river crossing, at which lifejackets will be provided in the event it is too deep to ford (extremely unlikely).  Most runners will be tackling the run at least partially in darkness which adds to the difficulty. Average run time for all full runners is about 11 hours. [updated 2019-07-06]

Half racers will do one lap of the swim and one lap of the bike -- with a few extra miles at the beginning and end of the bike this means they will do about 63 miles of biking total.  They will then face the second part of the run.  This means that they won't have nearly as much elevation gain as folks on the full course but will have some of the tougher creek sections, and the river crossing on the run.  The run will be about 17 miles. Good times!

-:- Course Maps 
 

2022 Results: Canceled - trail and road damage
2021 Results: not available ??? / Race Report 
2020 Results: Cancelled Due To Covid-19
-) 2014 - 2019 Results at: google.com