Norseman Xtreme Triathlon and Maurten have entered into a partnership that makes the Swedish sports nutrition company the official nutrition partner of the event from the 2026 season.
Held this year on August 1, 2026, the 226km race, which takes athletes from the Hardangerfjord to the summit of Gaustatoppen in Norway, is widely considered one of the most challenging extreme triathlons worldwide.
Maurten is a sports nutrition company based in Gothenburg, Sweden, known for its hydrogel technology. Its products are used by high-profile athletes such as Eliud Kipchoge as well as a number of IRONMAN world champions.
Through the new agreement, Maurten will provide nutrition resources specifically designed for the race, which will be themed ‘fuel for the unknown’. These resources include a fuel planner, technical articles, and on-site advice for athletes.
Despite the new partnership, Norseman remains an unsupported race. Athletes are required to bring a personal support team to provide hydration and assistance throughout the course. However, Maurten will now provide products at one specific aid station on the run course to supplement these efforts.
Fredrik Mandt, Race Director at Norseman Xtreme Triathlon, said “Norseman pushes athletes to their absolute limit over 10 to 20 hours in conditions that range from 12-degree fjord water to exposed mountain terrain above the tree line. Nutrition failures are one of the most common reasons athletes don’t reach the summit. We wanted to give our athletes access to the same nutrition technology used at the highest level of endurance sport, and Maurten was the clear choice.”
Norseman was first held in 2003 with 21 participants and has since grown into a highly sought-after event. For the 2026 edition, 7,956 people from 100 countries entered the ballot for a limited number of 250 starting slots.
The course features a 3.8km fjord swim, a 180km bike ride across the Hardangervidda mountain plateau, and a 42.2km run. The race involves over 5,000m of total elevation gain, ending at 1,880m above sea level.
Maurten’s patented hydrogel technology is designed to enable efficient delivery of carbohydrates to the intestines with a reduced risk of gastrointestinal distress. All its products are Informed Sport certified, ensuring they are tested for substances on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list.
Tobias Christensson, Head of Nutrition at Maurten, said “Norseman is a race that people dream of experiencing for years. So, when they get the chance, they want to do everything they can to train their body and mind for the demands ahead. With so many unknowns, we want to help athletes enter this race not just with the best fuel – but with as much knowledge and confidence as possible, so they can execute a well-practiced fuelling strategy and increase their chances of having a great race.”
The 2026 race will continue the tradition where only the fastest 160 athletes at the final mountain safety checkpoint are permitted to finish at the summit and earn the coveted black finisher shirt.