Blacklake Xtreme Triathlon

Zabljak, Montenegro · September · XTRI World Tour

Blacklake Xtreme Triathlon: black lakePhoto is not from race dayIngo Mehling, CC BY-SA 4.0
Black Lake. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Why people love it

  • Alpine glacial-lake swim in Durmitor National Park
  • 182 km (113 mi) bike with 3,200 m (10,500 ft) of climbing, then a technical trail run to Black Lake
  • Small field (250 slots), 200 X-Points
  • Support runner allowed from km 10-24 (mi 6.2-14.9)

Watch out for

  • 13-17 °C (55-63 °F) water at a 4:30 am start
  • Support crew required
  • Remote, at about 1,450 m (4,760 ft); few public race reports
  • Official bike elevation differs between pages (2,439 m (8,000 ft) / 8,000 ft vs 3,200 m (10,500 ft) / 10,500 ft)

Race

3.0Good

How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 27% of the overall score.

  • Racer satisfactionLoved3.9

    Few public reports. A 2020 Slowtwitch report is positive about the dramatic setting, and the field is tiny and niche. · Low confidence

  • OrganizationWell run3.6

    Run by XTRI World Tour since 2019 (fifth edition in 2023). The 2020 report describes a smoothly spread-out COVID format, and no complaints were found. · Low confidence

  • First timer friendlyExperts only1.0

    An extreme format with a mandatory support companion, a mountain trail run and altitude of about 1,450 m (4,760 ft). · High confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • PR potentialVery slow1.2

    About 3,200 m (10,500 ft) of bike gain and 1,500-1,700 m (4,920-5,580 ft) on technical trail. The 2020 winner took 13:42 and third place 15:57. · High confidence

  • Course easeExtreme1.2

    A 13-17 °C (55-63 °F) lake swim at 4:30 am, 3,200 m (10,500 ft) of climbing on the bike, a trail run, and altitude. · High confidence

Swim

3.2Good

Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.

  • Wetsuit legalAlmost always4.9

    Typical water is 13-17 °C (55-63 °F), far below the 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) limit. · Medium confidence

  • Water temperatureUncomfortable1.9

    Typical water is 13-17 °C (55-63 °F), with about 17 °C (63 °F) in 2020. Comfortable is 19-23 °C (66-73 °F). · Medium confidence

  • Calm waterMostly calm4.3

    Small sheltered glacial lakes at 1,420 m (4,660 ft). No chop reported, though a mountain breeze is possible. · Low confidence

  • Swim easeModerate2.8

    A dark 4:30 am mass start across two lakes with a land crossing, in cold water. The small lakes keep sighting simple. · Medium confidence

  • Swim experienceGreat4.0

    Glacial Black Lake in Durmitor National Park. The dark start limits the view, and athlete feedback is limited. · Low confidence

Bike

3.5Very good

Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.

  • Road surfaceMixed2.8

    Narrow Montenegrin mountain roads. No specific surface reports. · Low confidence

  • Road closuresPartly closed2.7

    Rural low-traffic roads with a support-crew model. Closure details not found. · Low confidence

  • Bike scenerySpectacular4.7

    Durmitor and the Tara River canyon, the deepest in Europe. The 2020 report notes sun all day. · Medium confidence

  • WindSome wind3.3

    Mountain valleys and the Tara canyon. No wind complaints, but exposed plateau sections are likely. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • Bike speedVery slow1.2

    182 km (113 mi) with about 3,200 m (10,500 ft) of climbing on narrow mountain roads at altitude. · High confidence

  • Bike flatnessMountainous1.2

    Slowtwitch and the organiser say 3,200 m (10,500 ft). The XTRI page lists 2,439 m (8,000 ft) without a label. Both are very hilly. · Medium confidence

  • Bike simplicityTechnical2.1

    Narrow roads with long descents toward Mojkovac and the Tara canyon, judging from the profile. · Low confidence

Run

2.5Good

Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.

  • Crowd supportSparse1.5

    A small field (about 250 slots, 60 expected in 2023) on a remote trail, with only support runners and crew. · Medium confidence

  • Aid stationsThin2.3

    Self-supported with a mandatory companion. A support runner is allowed from km 10-24 (mi 6.2-14.9), and official feed stations are unclear. · Low confidence

  • Run scenerySpectacular4.6

    An alpine trail finishing at Black Lake. · Medium confidence

  • Run conditionsBrutal1.4

    Technical mountain trail after 182 km (113 mi) of riding, including the Savin Kuk crossing. · High confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • Run flatnessHilly1.5

    1,500-1,700 m (4,920-5,580 ft) of gain over Savin Kuk on 42.2 km (26.2 mi) of technical trail. · High confidence

Conditions

3.9Very good

Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.

  • Air temperaturePleasant3.6

    Race day 2020 was 9-21 °C (48-70 °F) and sunny, with a cold start and pleasant afternoon. Cool for much of the day. · Medium confidence

  • Weather reliabilityVariable2.8

    September mountain weather can bring storms and cold. 2020 was sunny, but there is no multi-year data. · Low confidence

  • Venue beautyStunning4.8

    Durmitor National Park glacial lakes, in a UNESCO-listed area. · Medium confidence

  • Spectator friendlyTricky2.1

    A remote point-to-point mountain course, so mostly crews. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • Low altitudeHigh altitude1.1

    Žabljak is about 1,450 m (4,760 ft) and Black Lake 1,420 m (4,660 ft), and the bike and run climb higher. · High confidence

Stay and travel

3.5Good

Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.

  • Hotel availabilityGood3.6

    Žabljak has hotels and guesthouses. Summer sells out, but September is shoulder season. · Medium confidence

  • Hotel valueGood4.0

    Listings from about US$68 per night at Balkan prices. · Medium confidence

  • WalkabilityWalkable3.8

    Accommodation is 0.03-4 km (0.02-2.5 mi) from Black Lake per listings, and the swim start and run finish are at the lake. · Medium confidence

  • Travel easeAwkward2.0

    A remote mountain town. Podgorica is roughly 150 km (93 mi) away, a 2-3 hour drive (not verified on the official page). · Medium confidence

  • LogisticsSome complexity2.9

    Two lakes, a ski-resort area and a mandatory crew. Details are not published. · Low confidence

  • Town and foodFine2.9

    A small resort town with restaurants and supermarkets. A guide calls it practical but not especially pretty, with paid parking. · Medium confidence

Key facts

Location
Zabljak, Durmitor National Park, Montenegro
Typical month
September
Latest or next date
11 September 2027
Organiser
XTRI World Tour
Field size
About 250 athletes
First held
2019
Distances
3.8 km (2.4 mi) swim, 180 km (112 mi) bike, 42.2 km (26.2 mi) run
Swim venue
Small Lake and Black Lake (Crno jezero) (lake)
Water temperature
13–17 °C (55–63 °F)
Swim start
mass
Bike climbing
3,200 m (10,500 ft)
Run climbing
1,700 m (5,580 ft)
Air temperature
9–21 °C (48–70 °F)
Altitude
1,450 m (4,760 ft)
Where to stay
Zabljak town, near Black Lake
Booking
Zabljak hotels, guesthouses, apartments; peak Jul-Aug books months ahead

Official race website (xtriworldtour.com)

What racers and reviewers say

  • Slowtwitch (Herbert Krabel)Raced 2020 · article · Positive

    Photo report on a COVID-shrunken edition with 15 starters. Dark 4:30 am swim across two lakes in about 17 °C (63 °F) water, a 182 km (113 mi) bike with about 3,200 m (10,500 ft) of climbing, and a technical trail run over Savin Kuk. Winner 13:42; third place 15:57. Spread-out format kept contact low; the lone woman starter dropped out on the bike.

  • Zabljak tourism (zabljak.travel / tozabljak.com)Raced 2023 · article · Positive

    Local announcement of the fifth edition, 9 Sept 2023, with 60 athletes from 30 countries expected. Describes the 182 km (113 mi) bike through Mojkovac and the Tara bridge area and a 42.2 km (26.2 mi) mountain trail run (about 1,700 m (5,580 ft) / 5,580 ft ascent). Each athlete needs at least one companion. Seen only via search snippet.

  • BLACKLAKE official site (blackxtri.com)Raced 2027 · article · Positive

    Organiser page: glacial Black Lake in Durmitor park, 13–17 °C (55–63 °F) water, swim start 4:30 am, 182 km (113 mi) / 3,200 m (10,500 ft) bike, 1,700 m (5,580 ft) run, support runner km 10–24 (mi 6.2–14.9). Notes Žabljak has hotels and private rooms. Promotional, not athlete opinion.

  • Thoroughly Travelarticle · Mixed

    Travel guide calls Zabljak the practical base near Black Lake with shops and restaurants, but not especially pretty and with annoying paid parking. Summer accommodation can sell out months ahead.

  • Kayak / Booking / Expedia guest reviews (Zabljak)hotel-review · Positive

    Guests rate lodgings near Black Lake well, e.g. an apartment 1.5 km (0.9 mi) from the lake at 8.6 from nearly 400 reviews, with praise for location, staff and sauna. Prices from about $68.

Sources

Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.

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