Xtreme Triathlon’s debut in the stunning surroundings of Patagonia, Chile
Fourth place for Mark Livesey in men’s race too
A year ago (HERE), I first heard about a new XTRI race – PATAGONMAN Xtreme Triathlon (www.patagonman.com) – to take place in Patagonia, Chile. It clearly struck a chord with many, including Great Britain’s (now 13-times iron-distance winner…), Lucy Gossage, who was immediately interested, noticing my Twitter post at the time:
Now that would be an amazing 'retirement' race!
— lucy gossage (@lucygoss) December 21, 2017
Barely a week later, December 2018 was sorted – and Lucy was ‘in’. As to whether it will indeed constitute a ‘retirement’ race, well, I doubt it!
Triathlon has taken me to some cool places. None more so than Patagonia! I am extraordinarily excited about this race in Dec next year. The lottery for entry closes on 31 Dec…. It looks absolutely incredible. https://t.co/IbsFhMvA2H
— lucy gossage (@lucygoss) December 29, 2017
Fast forward almost a year and pre-race (see video below), Lucy described the prospect of PATAGONMAN as “I wouldn’t even call it a race…a long day out in probably the most spectacular place I’ve ever been… a celebration of everything I’ve been fortunate enough to have in my life.” Would it live up to that on ‘race’ day? It certainly did.
Excited about a big day tomorrow in the most spectacular place I have ever visited. Triathlon has taken me to some cool places. This tops them all. #patagonman #adventurerace pic.twitter.com/TiiSxPcYAJ
— lucy gossage (@lucygoss) December 8, 2018
Finishing sixth overall and the first female by a considerable margin, here is Lucy’s post-race Twitter post. You can be pretty sure that a forthcoming blog post on her website – will be well worth reading, as always, when it arrives in due course. Once she’s had time to recover and reflect.
Patagonman lived up to expectations and some. The most incredible destination race. I completely underestimated the run which was simply epic. Completely different experience to Ironman on every level. It was indescribably amazing.
— lucy gossage (@lucygoss) December 9, 2018
I was also able to message Lucy last night post-race, who briefly added, “Felt a bit stupid not bringing trail shoes and hydration system. I thought they had exaggerated how hard it was. They didn’t! Unbelievably beautiful. Best destination race you could imagine”
The men’s event had real quality at the front, with first place being taken by former XTERRA World Champion, Mauricio Mendez (MEX), with multiple NORSEMAN Xtreme Triathlon champion, Allan Hovda (NOR) in second place. A strong race too from Great Britain’s Mark Livesey, who finished in fourth.
Here’s just a clip of that run course that Lucy mentioned, courtesy of Mark’s wife Caroline, who was his support crew on the day – a week after her own race at IRONMAN Mar del Plata.
Deep into a super tough run now. And it’s hot too!!! #PatagonManXtri @MarkLiveseyTri said he felt strong 👍😁 about 5k to go I think. pic.twitter.com/NUnC6fhiF7
— Caroline Livesey (@tri_c_livesey) December 9, 2018
Much like Lucy, with post-race comments of “By for the best place I have ever raced”, confirm that PATAGONMAN was something well above another new triathlon.
Triathlon going back to its routes #PatagonManXtri This race is honest, pure, simple, but most of all exhilarating. @tri_c_livesey asked me to make sure I appreciate my surrounding while racing, it wasn't difficult to do. By far the best place I have ever raced. More to follow pic.twitter.com/D2j1MuWT4q
— Mark Livesey (@MarkLiveseyTri) December 10, 2018
The event also had UK, mainstream coverage well above the norm, with the participation of BBC Breakfast’s Louise Minchin. A member of the GB Age-Group team for several years now, Louise completed the event in 16 hours and 34 minutes, speaking live about it on BBC Breakfast this morning. She’s no slouch in the water either, clocking almost exactly the same time as Lucy Gossage.
This was a day I will never forget, I knew #PatagonManXtri was going to be tough and it more than lived up to expectations, it was brilliant and brutal, and I crossed the finish line after over 16 hours, 20 mins before cut off time! I am a bit broken. pic.twitter.com/IMfCqYazwF
— Louise Minchin (@louiseminchin) December 10, 2018
PATAGONMAN Xtreme Triathlon, Patagonia, Chile – Sunday 9th December 2018
3.8km / 180km / 42.2km
MEN
1st – Mauricio Mendez (MEX) – 8:52:02
2nd – Allan Hovda (NOR) – 9:12:11
3rd – Jose Luis Rodriguez (CHI) – 9:38:30
4th – Mark Livesey (GBR) – 10:07:29
5th – Romain Babin (CHI) – 10:18:15
Finished in 4th at #PatagonManXtri a super tough race!!! pic.twitter.com/VbIVyZ0DSM
— Caroline Livesey (@tri_c_livesey) December 9, 2018
WOMEN
1st – Lucy Gossage (GBR) – 10:21:21 (6th Overall)
2nd – Javiera Elisa Gainza Acevedo (CHI) – 12:15:01
3rd – Livia Mendes (BRA) – 12:23:57
4th – Maricruz Larrea (CHI) – 12:38:09
5th – Kristyna Skupienova (CZE) – 12:43:20
6th – Jo Davies (GBR) – 13:09:38
💪🏃🏼♀️👏👏👏 @lucygoss 💪👏👏🏃🏼♀️ pic.twitter.com/idbNdw3JsW
— Recorre Aysén (@Recorre_Aysen) December 10, 2018
13th – Louise Minchin (GBR) – 16:34:35