XTRI World TourRace Manual - JÁNOŠÍK, 5.9.2026

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

JÁNOŠÍK Slovak Xtreme Triathlon is brought to you by the experienced organizers of Oravaman XTRI Solo Point Five. The race is a proud member of the XTRI World Tour – a unique family of extreme triathlons around the world. Our race follows the philosophy and values of the XTRI World Tour, 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

The race is unique due to:

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

Jánošík Slovak Xtreme Triathlon in 6 points:

1. The race is designed for experienced and dedicated athletes who come physically and mentally well prepared.
2. The event respects ecology, is prepared in close harmony with nature,with a minimum impact, following the philosophy of the XTRI World Tour.
3. 3 The race is possible to complete with the help of supporter who cares for the athlete, moreover support during the last 17km of marathon and a specific equipment is mandatory.
4. From dark to dark. It is a race where some athletes will reach the finish after dark.
5. As a reward you will get unique finisher T-shirt (blue or white) and supporter T-shirts.

👉 RACE RULES

Athletes and supporters compete fairly, with respect to other competitors and with humility towards nature. Any contamination of nature by the athlete or their 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 their supporter. Every athlete is allowed to have one accompanying vehicle, which must be labelled with two stickers showing JÁNOŠÍK 2026 (one on the front of the car and one on the back of the car).

The supporter is obliged to:

• Accompany the athlete from start to finish, joining them 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 them.
• Follow this manual and instructions of the organizer.
• Be marked throughout the day with the white SUPPORTER vest. Nore- no vest is required on the run.
• Stay with the athlete, take care of them from start to finish.

The supporter in the white vest is allowed to enter the transition 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 finish the running course together. The supporter can join the athlete and run with them before the checkpoint at Hotel Diery if desired.

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 nine 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 takes 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)
• Two stickers for one support vehicle.
• Reflective white SUPPORTER vest & reflective vest for bike (in T1)
• Refreshments in T2, on the run and in finish.

The entry fee moreover includes:

• Finisher T-shirt for the athlete who 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/ briefing

Attending the briefing is obligatory for both the athlete and the supporter. The supporter stays with athlete all day. We recommend having 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. – Intructions for getting 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 receive the GPS tracker at T1 and will use it only on bike and run.

Bike racking/ set-up is possible with/by the supporter /white reflective vest/. The bike must be labeled with a sticker showing the starting number under the saddle. When entering T1 you will be given (on loan) a swimming buoy with light. The athlete will receive the GPS tracker at the entrance to T1. The 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 align 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. A wetsuit is compulsory for the swim course and the 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 T1 at 02:30)
The supporter in supporter vest can assist the athlete during the transition. After leaving the T1 there shall be no equipment nor waste left, all the athlete's equipment is removed 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. The athlete must take the GPS tracker and mobile phone and carry them during the whole bike. Do not use the GPS during the swim.

Bike course:

• The athlete can have one 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 CANNOT shadow (drive in front, beside nor behind the athlete).
• The support car must not block, limit nor threaten other athletes and traffic.
• The labeled support car can only park in safe parking places – and must not cause danger to other road traffic.
• The last climb to T2 from the main road can be as steep as 20% steep! Check it on Friday.
• If traffic lights are red – athletes and supporters must stop and wait for green.
• Supporters please come to T2 in advance and park next to Amphiteater. Please drive carefully – athletes will also be coming into 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 5 main climbs which are from 1-8 km long. Many of them are between 8 - 15%, the last climb to T2 is more than 20 %. Trained and well-prepared athletes can complete the bike under 6 hours. Most of the bike takes part in the dark. The bike leg is 180 km long with 2250 m of elevation gain.

🗓 SUNDAY 6.9.2026

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

The final ceremony will be held outside at the shelter opposite the restaurant. The 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 the XTRI World Championship at Norseman Xtreme Triathlon 2027. They will race in 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 cranks 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, on the descent from the mountain pass Huty from 40th km of the bike – the road can be very slippery. Please also ride carefully between Lúčky and Dolný Kubín between 65 km – 85 km (forrest road with very steep and narrow descent to Osádka))
• 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 receive the reflective vest in T1 and will return it at the T-shirt ceremony on Sunday.
• Athletes must ride the bike course alone – support car can meet them only in safe places.
• 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 stray off the course.
• In case that an athlete's bike is broken and can't be repaired, organizers must be informed immediately with pictures of the broken bike and the new one he will be using.

Important turns and junctions will be marked with reflective arrows. On the main junctions there will be light signalization and also fire department personell helping to navigate the athletes. However, the athlete and the supporting car is responsible for correct navigation – we recommend to study well the race map. Foe safety reasons, the support car can only meet athlete on safe places with good visibility. The support 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.
The last climb to T2 will be marked with beachflags Jaánošík and XTRI World Tour.

Please check the final climb to T2 on Friday, it's the further access to resort around Amphiteater, not the one around Dynopark.

🏃‍♀️ 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 two 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 continue to Vrchpodžiar following 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.

Th 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 other path users. 10 km of the run can be considered 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.

Th 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.

The supporter must join the athlete from Hotel Diery – 25th km of the run. Two mandatory backpacks will be checked at this check-point. As you will need both hands to catch the rocks or chains and the paths are very technical. Poles are forbidden on the run course.

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

• GPS tracker & mobile phone (must be placed in athlete's backpack or pocket after the bike)
• Two 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 both athlete and supporter.

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.

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

🏁 FINISH

The finish is situated under the statue of Jánošík (two min walk from the resort), including the final climb to the statue. There will be refreshments available 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. They must be reachable by phone and accompanies the athlete from the start of the race. The 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 is 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 the race you are obliged to contact the organizers by phone (call or sms to number, that will be shown at briefing).