XTRI World TourRace Manual - JÁNOŠÍK, 5.9.2026

There are people always seeking ways to stand out of everyday routine. Slovak national hero Juraj JÁNOŠÍK was one of them, he became a legend. We are bringing now the opportunity to become legends to those of you who love xtreme triathlons. You can become JÁNOŠÍK by completing a difficult and technical course of 226 km with elevation of 5000 m.

JÁNOŠÍK Slovak Xtreme Triathlon is brought to you by experienced organizers of Oravaman XTRI Solo Point Five. The race is a proud member of the Xtri World Tour – unique family of xtreme triathalons around the world. Our race follows the philosophy and values of the xtreme triathlons, created by the one and only, Norseman Xtreme Triathlon. JÁNOŠÍK is an unforgettable experience.

Our crew is looking forward to meeting you in Terchová on Friday, September 4th, 2026. For the 10th time.

Peter Paľa, race director

It is unique due to:

• The nature and the surroundings of the regions of Orava and Kysuce, taking place partially in a natural reserve of Malá Fatra.
• It is not an individual competition, its completion would not be possible without close cooperation of the athlete and his supporter.
• Start of the swimming is at midnight, half of the bike is done at night, run includes very technical ascents and descents.
• In case of JÁNOŠÍK the winners are all those who complete the course successfuly – they become finishers.

Jánošík Slovak Xtreme Triathon in 6 points

1. Race designed for experienced and dedicated athletes that come physicaly and mentaly well prepared.
2. Event respecting ecology, prepared in close harmony with nature and with a minimum of interference into it, following the philosophy of the Xtri World Tour.
3. Race organized on non-commercial basis.
4. Race possible to complete just with the help of supporter that cares for the athlete, moreover support during the last 17km of marathon and a specific equipment is mandatory.
5. From dark to dark. Race where some athletes reach the finish after dark.
6. Event, where as a reward you will get unique finisher (blue or white) and supporter T-shirts.

👉 RACE RULES

Athletes and supporters compete fairly, with respect to other competitors and with humility towards the nature. Any contamination of nature by the athlete or his supporter during the race is strictly prohibited. A real athlete knows how to behave in nature and in a national park. The competition is individual without drafting during the bike course. Assistance to the athlete is allowed just from his supporter. Every athlete is allowed to have one accompanying vehicle, which must be labelled with 2 stickers JÁNOŠÍK 2026 (one in the front of the car and 1 on the back side of the car).

Supporter is obliged to:

• Accompany the athlete from start to finish, joining him from the 25th km of the run.
• Be reachable by phone during the whole race.
• Check in T1 and in T2 that the athlete has his mobile phone and GPS tracker with him.
• Follow this manual and instructions of the organizer.
• Be marked throughout the day with white SUPPORTER vest /no vest needed on the run/.
• Stay with the athlete, take care about the athlete and help him, from start to finish.

The supporter in white vest is allowed to enter the transitions areas, to handle the athlete’s gear and clothing. The athlete will be joined by his supporter from the 25th km of the run and they finish the running course together. Supporter can join the athlete and run with him also before the checkpoint at Hotel Diery.

Please read this race manual properly and prepare well for this unique adventure. JÁNOŠÍK is a very hard race, where concentration, determination, humility, friendship and mutual help is a must.

🗓 THURSDAY, 3.9.2026

⏱ Thursday, 5:00 p.m. / 17:00 - JÁNOŠÍK Social run

5 km friendly easy run for athletes, supporters and friends. Meeting in front of the congress building of Resort Drevenice Terchová.

⏱ Thursday, 7:00 p.m. / 19:00 - JÁNOŠÍK 10th anniversary film festival

Films from all 9 editions of Jánošík, memories, stories & talks.

🗓 FRIDAY, 4.9.2026

⏱ Friday, 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. - Registration - Resort Drevenice Terchová

The registration is taking place on Friday, September 4th, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Drevenice Terchová - T2. Registration of the athlete and the supporter in person is obligatory

Every athlete will receive a starting package with:

• Starting number.
• Sticker with race number for the bike course (to place under the saddle).
• Swimming cap.
• Safety buoy with emergency light for swim (borrowed for swim)
• 2 stickers for 1 supporting vehicle.
• Reflective white SUPPORTER vest & reflective vest for bike (in T1)
• Refreshment in T2, on the run and in finish.

The entry fee moreover includes:

• Finisher T-shirt for the athlete that finishes the race.
• Supporter T-shirt for the supporter.
• Dinner for athlete and support at Drevenice Terchová on Saturday from 5:00 p.m.

⏱ Friday, 11:00 a.m. 12:00 a.m. - Official opening and course presentation

The attendance to the course presentation is obligatory for both the athlete and the supporter as well. Supporter stays with athlete all day. We recommend to have another person as driver.

Saturday dinner tickets: tickets for family and friends for Saturday´s dinner can be bought till 13:00 / 1:00 p.m. at the reception of the resort. Athlete & supporter will get the ticket at the starting package.

⏱ Friday, 12:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. - Individual transport to the Start at Slanica (T1)

Start at Slanica - T1 - 49.400150, 19.514020
(By car: Terchová – Dolný Kubín - Oravský Podzámok - Slanica 70 km / 90 minutes)

⏱ Friday, 10:30 p.m. 11:15 p.m. - Transition 1 open

Athletes will recieve GPS tracker at T1 and will use it only on bike and run.

Bike installation is possible with/by the supporter /white reflective vest/. The bike must be labeled with a sticker with the starting number under the saddle. By entering the T1 you will be borrowed a swimming buoy with light. Athlete will receive the tracker at the entrance to T1. Bike must have strong white light at the front and strong red light under the saddle.

⏱ Friday, 11:20 p.m. – 11:30 – boat boarding

⏱ Friday, 11:35 p.m. – boat leaves the port

⏱ Friday, 11:50 p.m. jump to the water with attached buoys and alignment for the start.

🗓 Saturday 5.9.2026

⏱ Saturday, 00:00 (midnight) - Start

It is compulsory for all the athletes to swim with the emergency buoy attached. Each buoy is equipped with emergency light on. Swimming suit is compulsory for the swimming course, expected water temperature is between 16-19 °C. We suggest the use of neoprene cap and socks, googles with clear glass.

⏱ Saturday, 02:30 a.m. - Swim Stop-Time

Transition 1 (last chance to leave the T1 at 02:30)
The supporter in supporter vest can assist the athlete during the transition. After leaving of the T1 there shall be no equipment nor waste left, all the staff is carried by the supporter. The stop time for the T1 is 2:30, after this time no athlete will be allowed to continue in the race. Athlete must take the GPS tracker and mobile phone and carry them during the whole bike.

Bike course:

• athlete can have 1 official support car – labeled with red sticker at the front and at the back of the car
• DURING THE WHOLE BIKE COURSE ATHLETE MUST RIDE ALONE!!!
• Support car CAN´T drive in front of the athlete nor behind the athlete.
• Support car can´t block, limit nor threaten other athletes and traffic.
• labeled support car can park only on safe parking places – can´t endanger other members of traffic.
• Last climb to T2 from the main road is up to 20 % steep! Check it on Friday.
• RED COLOR on TRAFFIC LIGHT – athletes and supporters must stop and wait for green.
• Supporters please come to T2 in advance and park next to Amphiteater. Please drive carefuly – athletes will be coming also to T2.

⏱ Saturday, 11:30 a.m. - Stop time for cycling course (last chance to leave T2 by 11:30 a.m.)

The bike course is relatively easy and fast. There are total 5 main climbs, which are from 1 km to 8 km the long. Lot of them are between 8 - 15%, the last climb to T2 is more than 20 %. Trained and well prepared athletes can do the bike under 7 hours. Most of the bike takes part at dark. Bike part is 180 km long with 2250 m of elevation gain.

The last climb on bike to T2 alongside the amphitheater is very steep. We recommend to check it on Friday.

🗓 SUNDAY 6.9.2026

⏱ Sunday, 10.00 a.m - Final ceremony, awarding of Finisher T-shirts, finisher photo

Final ceremony will be held outside, at the shelter opposite the restaurant. Finisher picture will be taken at statue of Jánošík (2 min walk).

All the athletes successful on Saturday will be awarded a finisher T-shirt of JÁNOŠÍK Slovak Xtreme Triathlon (blue & white).

First two men and first to women of JÁNOŠÍK Slovak Xtreme Triathlon directly win a slot for Xtri World Championship during the Norseman Xtreme Triathlon 2027. They will race at the elite category. The elite slot can´t be transferred to another athlete.

🚴‍♀️Swimming course

🚴‍♀️CYCLING: NÁMESTOVO – TERCHOVÁ

🧭 Cycling - GPX

Bike course mandatory equipment:

• TT bike or road bike (we recommend compact 50/34 crancks and cassette 12-32, good wheels with durable tires)
• We don´t recommend full disc wheel.
• Due to safety reasons during the night and on dark descents – athletes must ride carefully at night, mostly in descent from mountain pass Huty – the road can be very slippery. Please ride carefuly also between Lúčky and Dolný Kubín.
• Helmet with white / clear glasses (for good visibility at night)
• Strong white light in the front and an intermittent red light on the back.
• Reflective west or jacket worn during the night until 6:30 a.m. is mandatory – all athletes will recieve reflective vest in T1 and will return in at the T-shirt ceremony on Sunday.
• Athletes must ride all the bike course alone – support car can meet them only in safe parkings.
• For better navigation we recommend to download the GPX to your watch / computer / phone.
• We recommend to download the GPX and use app MAPY.com.
• Supporters must check their athletes and help them if they get off the course.
• In case that athlete´s bike is broken and can´t be repaired, organizers must be informed immediately with pictures of the old broken bike and the new one he will be using.

Important turns and junctions will be marked with reflective arrows. On the main points there will be light signalization and also fireworkers navigating the athletes. However the athlete and the supporting car is responsible for the proper orientation – we recommend to study well the race map. Due to safety of the road traffic and also of other athletes, supporting car can meet athlete only on safe places with good visibility. Supporting car can´t drive behind or I front of the athlete on climbs or downhill. 
Bike rules will be explained at the briefing.

Transition 2

T2 is located at the Drevnice Terchová resort. Athletes will use the steep road which goes alongside the amphiteater.
Last climb to T2 will be marked with beachflags Jaánošík and Xtri World Tour.

🏃‍♀️ RUN: 42 KM / 2700 M

🧭 RUN - GPX

Run: Terchová • Malé Nocľahy • Hotel Diery • Veľký Rozsutec • Štefanová • Vrch Podžiar • Boboty • Tiesňavy • Jánošík statute in Terchová

• Mandatory support from 25th km - Hotel Diery
• from Hotel Diery with 2 mandatory backpacks
• last chance to leave Hotel Diery and finish the race: 4:30 p.m.

Run course: 🧭 GPX, online map

Run - white course: online map

WHITE COURSE CUT OFF 2:00 p.m. – crossroads Podžiar (middle of Jánošík gorge)
Athletes who miss this cut off will skip climb to Veľký Rozsutec and will continute to Vrchpodžiar and will follow the green path through Boboty ridge and will get to finish line at Jánošík statue. By completing this course they will receive a white finisher T-shirt on Sunday.

Running course of JÁNOŠÍK is a pure trail marathon with spectacular views and demanding climbs. It will take you through valleys with ladders and chains and to the peaks of Malá Fatra mountains. As the course follows paths for tourists it is necessary to be patient and avoid collisions with tourists. 10 km of the run can be considered as flat, the rest is uphill and downhill with total elevation of 2700 m. The terrain is gravel, clay, grass and stone also some mud is possible, 7 km is on asphalt road. Estimated time of the running course is between 6 to 10,5 h.

Running course will be marked, but it is necessary to study the track in advance and follow the instructions of the organizers. White tape with logo JÁNOŠÍK will mark the course.

Supporter must joint the athlete from Hotel Diery – 25th km of the run. 2 mandatory backpacks are must be checked at this check-point. As you will need both hand many times to catch the rock or chain and the paths are very technical, poles are forbidden on the run course.

The following equipment is obligatory for the athlete and the supporter and must be checked at T2 before the run (supporter can carry the athletes equipment in his backpack):

• tracker & mobile phone (must be placed in athlete´s backpack or pocket after the bike)
• 2 backpacks containing each:
  • 1 l. of liquids / person
  • 2 energy bars / person
  • Wind-proof jacket / person (not vest)
  • Long sleeved shirt / person
  • Long pants / person
  • Cap or scarf (buff) / person
  • Gloves / person
  • Headlamp / person

Mobile phone is mandatory for athlete and supporter.

Mentioned mandatory clothing must be in the backpack, it is required and independent from the clothes athlete or supporter will wear while leaving the T2. Use of poles is prohibited.

⛈ Run course can be changed due to bad weather conditions, or if the safety of athletes and organizers requieres it.

🏁 FINISH

Finish is situated under the statue of Jánošík (2 min walk from the resort), including final climb to the statue. There will be a refreshment for athlete and supporter. At the hotel resort Drevenice Terchová a buffet dinner will be served to the athlete and the supporter from 5:00 p.m. If you would like to buy more tickets for Saturday ́s dinner, you can do so on Friday till 13:00 / 1:00 p.m. at the reception.

ℹ️ Technical information

The supporter is obliged to take care of the athlete during the whole day. He ́s reacheable by phone and accompanies the athlete from the start of the race. Supporter accompanies the athlete from start to finish (in T1, in support car on bike course, supporter runs last 17 km of the marathon). We recommend to have another person as a driver. The last 17 km of the run are very technical and challenging. The supporter should be an experienced trail runner and hiker.

WHITE COURSE – White Finisher T-Shirt
As it is common for XTRI World Tour Races, all athletes are encouraged to finish the race safely. Due to the safety of athletes, supporters and organizers there are three important CUT-OFF times:

1. 11:30 a.m. after the bike in T2
2. 2:00 p.m. at crossroads Podžiar, middle of Jánošík Gorge dividing blue and white course
3. 4:30 p.m. Hotel Diery – last chance to continue and finish the race

🆘 Emergency contacts

Michal Polgár (deputy race – race info)	+421 917 215 611
Alžbeta Paľová	+421 903 611 792
Emergency call:	112 (ambulance, firemen,police)
Mountain rescue service:	18 300
Accomodation at Terchová:	Drevenice Terchová registration, opening ceremony, T2 area, dinner for athlete and supporter on Saturday, final ceremony on Sunday, recommended accomodation

In case you decide to quit your race you are obliged to contact the organizers by phone (call or sms to number, that will be shown at briefing).