Janosik Xtreme Triathlon (JANOSIK Slovak Xtreme Triathlon)
Terchova (swim at Orava Reservoir / Slanica), Slovakia · September · XTRI World Tour
Why people love it
- Midnight reservoir swim then an overnight bike to sunrise
- Janosikove Diery gorge and Mala Fatra mountain marathon
- Family-like atmosphere and praised organisation (RaceCheck 4.6 out of 5)
- Tiny field of about 65 slots
Watch out for
- Support runner mandatory from km 25 (mile 15.5)
- Wetsuit mandatory in 16-19 °C (61-66 °F) water
- Start is about 70 km (43 mi) from the finish area
- Elevation figures differ by source: 4,950-5,800 m (16,240-19,030 ft) total
- Run may be rerouted for heat or lightning
Race
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 satisfactionBucket list4.6
RaceCheck gives 4.6 out of 5 from about 15 ratings, with near-uniform praise for atmosphere and scenery. The sample is tiny. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationFlawless4.5
RaceCheck rates logistics 4.5, staff 4.7 and aid 4.7. Reviewers call it exceptionally well organised, and one wanted clearer trail run marking. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyExperts only1.0
For experienced extreme and trail athletes only: a mandatory support runner for the last 17 km (10.6 mi), gear checks and cutoffs. · High confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialVery slow1.0
The course record is 13:22:56 (2018). About 5,000 m (16,400 ft) of climbing, a night start and technical trail. · High confidence
- Course easeExtreme1.1
A midnight swim, 2,250-2,600 m (7,400-8,500 ft) of bike gain and a mountain run with 2,700-3,200 m (8,900-10,500 ft) of gain, chains and ladders. · High confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalAlmost always4.9
Water is 16-19 °C (61-66 °F) and a wetsuit is mandatory, far below the 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) limit. · Medium confidence
- Water temperatureAcceptable3.3
Water of 16-19 °C (61-66 °F) against a comfortable 19-23 °C (66-73 °F), and colder in the midnight hours. · Medium confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm4.4
A sheltered reservoir. No chop reports found. · Low confidence
- Swim easeModerate2.9
Roughly 4 km (2.5 mi) in a midnight swim with a safety light buoy, so navigation in the dark. Water is 16-19 °C (61-66 °F). · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat4.0
Reviewers praise the unusual midnight swim. No water clarity data. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed3.0
Public Slovak roads. No specific reviews. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed2.6
Overnight on open public roads with no support cars, but lightly trafficked at night. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful4.4
Reviewers praise sunrise over Orava and Kysuce, though part of the ride is in the dark. · Medium confidence
- WindMostly calm3.9
Mountain valleys. No wind complaints. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedSlow1.5
Eight climbs at 12-17% and a 20% final ramp, at night, with 2,250-2,600 m (7,400-8,500 ft) of gain. · Medium confidence
- Bike flatnessHilly1.9
2,250-2,600 m (7,400-8,500 ft) of gain per sources over 180-186 km (112-116 mi). · Medium confidence
- Bike simplicityTechnical1.9
Steep climbs up to 20% and night descents. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportSparse2.1
A mountain trail, with crowds concentrated at the Terchova finish. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsStandard3.4
RaceCheck rates aid about 4.7, but your supporter provides most nutrition and the field is tiny. · Medium confidence
- Run scenerySpectacular4.9
Mala Fatra, the Janosikove Diery gorge and Velky Rozsutec, which reviewers rate very highly. · High confidence
- Run conditionsBrutal1.0
Technical mountain trail with a mandatory support runner and a heat and lightning risk. · High confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessBig climbs1.0
2,700-3,200 m (8,900-10,500 ft) of gain, including chains and ladders. · High confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant4.0
Air is 8-25 °C (46-77 °F), with a cool night and pleasant day. Heat has affected some editions. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable2.5
Mountain weather. Lightning and heat forced run reroutes, including in 2026. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyStunning4.8
Consistent praise for the Mala Fatra landscape. · High confidence
- Spectator friendlyTricky1.8
A remote point-to-point, with the start about 70 km (43 mi) from the finish. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeLow3.6
The start area is about 600-800 m (2,000-2,600 ft), and the run tops out at Velky Rozsutec, 1,610 m (5,280 ft). · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.7
A small field of about 65, and Terchova is a tourist village with guesthouses. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood4.1
Rural Slovakia pricing. No specific reviews. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityMostly driving2.4
The finish and T2 venue are in Terchova, but the start is about 70 km (43 mi) or 90 minutes away. · Medium confidence
- Travel easeOne connection2.6
Remote. Kraków (about 150 km (93.2 mi) / 93 mi) is the most convenient airport per a reviewer, plus a transfer to the start. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsFiddly2.0
Point-to-point with separate T1 and T2, a mandatory briefing, gear checks and a support runner. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood3.6
A small tourist village, with Saturday dinner included. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Terchova (swim at Orava Reservoir / Slanica), Zilina Region, Slovakia
- Typical month
- September
- Latest or next date
- 4 September 2027
- Organiser
- XTRI World Tour
- Field size
- About 65 athletes
- First held
- 2016
- Distances
- 3.8 km (2.4 mi) swim, 180 km (112 mi) bike, 42.2 km (26.2 mi) run
- Cutoffs
- Bike 11:30 at T2 (Saturday), Finish T1 departure by 02:30; run checkpoints Podziar 14:00, Hotel Diery 16:30; later finishers get white shirt
- Swim venue
- Orava Reservoir (Oravska priehrada), start/T1 at Slanica (reservoir)
- Water temperature
- 16–19 °C (61–66 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Mandatory
- Swim start
- mass
- Bike climbing
- 2,600 m (8,530 ft)
- Bike laps
- 1
- Key climbs
- 8 climbs at 12-17% grade; final steep climb to T2 up to 20%
- Run climbing
- 3,200 m (10,500 ft)
- Run laps
- 1
- Run shade
- mixed forest and exposed ridges
- Air temperature
- 8–25 °C (46–77 °F)
- Altitude
- 800 m (2,620 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Krakow (KRK) or Katowice; Zilina (ILZ) small regional; Vienna/Bratislava further
- Where to stay
- Terchova, Vratna
- Booking
- Organiser recommends Drevenice Terchova (T2, registration, dinner, ceremony). Start is ~70 km / 90 min from Terchova, so a shuttle/logistics leg is needed.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceCheckRaced 2023 · aggregator · Positive
Well run overall, with a tough night bike leg and a very selective trail run that could use clearer marking. Locals were welcoming and the family enjoyed the trip.
- RaceCheckRaced 2023 · aggregator · Positive
Loved the unique atmosphere and mountain setting; stayed upbeat despite fatigue and plans to return.
- RaceCheckRaced 2023 · aggregator · Positive
Described it as exceptionally well organised with friendly staff. Steep night climbs on the bike, sunrise views, a scenic technical run, and a highlight finish in Terchova. Easy access from Krakow.
- RaceCheckRaced 2021 · aggregator · Positive
Considers it the best XTRI race he has done, with a family-like feel.
- RaceCheckRaced 2021 · aggregator · Positive
Very challenging course in spectacular surroundings; keen to return for a third time and thanked organisers and volunteers.
Show 6 more
- RaceCheckRaced 2021 · aggregator · Positive
Called it the hardest and most amazing race of his life in a magical landscape.
- RaceCheckRaced 2021 · aggregator · Positive
Praised the scenery and the night swim; bike tough but good, run magnificent but difficult.
- RaceCheckRaced 2021 · aggregator · Mixed
Bike and run courses nice and challenging; a bucket-list type race, though the lowest score of the set.
- RaceCheckRaced 2019 · aggregator · Positive
Best race she has done, citing location, people, route and atmosphere.
- RaceCheckRaced 2019 · aggregator · Positive
A lifelong swimmer and 12-year triathlete who says he will never forget the race.
- Triathlon Coaching UK (The T Word)Raced 2016 · blog · Positive
First-edition race report (as summarised from search snippet; page itself could not be fetched). Calls the midnight reservoir swim highly unusual, describes steep rocky run climbs with chains and ladders plus pasture and forest paths, and enjoyed watching dawn light up while on the bike.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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