Search
shop

Norseman 2025: Grue and Skala conquer ‘Zombie Hill’ and the world’s TOUGHEST triathlon

Norway's Kristian Grue and Germany's Julia Skala were the brilliant winners of the brutal Norseman Triathlon
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

It was a history-making day on Saturday at the Zalaris Norseman Xtreme Triathlon.

Billed as ‘the race that makes athletes cry’ it takes place in Eidfjord in Norway – and is unlike anything else.

It begins in the early hours with a 3.8km swim in the Hardangerfjord – a freezing cold Fjord, though temperatures weren’t quite as cold as normal this year – when the athletes jump off a ferry.

That’s followed by a 180km bike ride and then rounded off with a marathon which finishes with a brutal climb up Gaustatoppen – or Zombie Hill, the highest mountain in Norway.

While that might not sound tempting to the majority, places are highly sought after – more than 6,000 people applied for the 256 on offer.

Here’s what happened in a record-breaking latest edition…

Advertisement

Men’s race – Grue wins for Norway

There were good luck messages to all the athletes from Norwegian triathlon legends Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden beforehand.

And it was their compatriot Kristian Grue who completely bossed the men’s race. He’s had multiple podium finishes before, but not a win until now.

He will line up alongside former champions Blummenfelt and Iden at the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice having finished third at IRONMAN Austria in June – and this was another special day.

He led from pretty much the start of the swim, was first into T1 and early on the bike and, as they passed through the crowds at Dyranut, he led by seven minutes.

That was up to 13 minutes by the time he got to T2, with Hans Christian Tungesvik second at that point, though he would be a DNF due to an injury.

Things changed on the run, but not up front as Grue powered to an incredible victory in nine hours, 45 minutes and 20 seconds.

Kristian Grue wins Norseman 2025
Kristian Grue takes a cherished win [Photo credit: NXTRI | Sylvain Cavatz]

Christophe Martignier (SUI) came through for second in 10:29:22, with Juuso Manninen (FIN) third in 10:34:59.

Women’s race – Skala sets new standard

In the women’s race it was Germany’s Julia Skala who smashed the previous course record.

She finished 20th at the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice last year and was dominant here.

After exiting the water in fourth position, she quickly moved into the lead on the bike and continued to build a strong gap throughout the day.

She crossed the line in 11:00:23 to go well under the previous best mark of 11:16:10 by Mette Pettersen Moe in 2018.

That was good enough for sixth overall and fully 52 minutes in front of women’s runner up Laura Kessler (SUI).

Britain’s Flora Colledge, the 2023 winner, rounded out the podium in third in 12:10:21.

Julia Skala wins Norseman 2025
Julia Skala was the women’s winner – and sixth overall [Photo credit: NXTRI | Sylvain Cavatz]
Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
tri-fit vortex tri suit review
TRI-FIT VORTEX tri suit review – race day approved performance
Maja Stage Nielsen Kat Matthews Jocelyn McCauley IRONMAN Texas 2023 podium photo credit IRONMAN
PremiumRacing to keep up: Is social media making us train harder?
Cadomotus chronos aero triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL
PremiumTraining to heart rate vs power on the bike
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
latest News
Tim Don Supertri Toronto 2025
Tim Don: Watch out for Jonny Brownlee bounce back and Fanni Szalai at Supertri Chicago
Morgan Pearson run T100 San Francisco 2025
Morgan Pearson born to run – ‘maybe I’m the T100 X Factor with a lot to prove’
Georgia Taylor Brown smiles Supertri Toronto 2025
‘It might take a miracle but I’ll give it my best shot’ – can GTB repeat Supertri Chicago win?
Sam Renouf CEO of the PTO
T100 Valencia replacement announced as PTO chief acknowledges “challenges” with 2025 calendar
ironman hamburg 2025 podium laura philipp kat matthews solveig lovseth
Matthews and Løvseth clash again in star-studded IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...