Abkhazia Gears Up for the First Extreme Triathlon: 'Nartman 2024'

SUKHUM / AQW'A ―  The inaugural extreme triathlon "Nartman 2024" will be held in Abkhazia from 11 to 13 October. The competition will take participants across Abkhazia, starting from the eastern border and ending at Lake Ritsa. The total distance of the race is 234 kilometres.

The first stage starts on 12 October at 3:00 a.m. at the Gal Reservoir. Thirty years ago, this reservoir was a training base for rowers, kayakers, and canoeists. In this stage, the swimmers will need to swim 3.8 km. The water temperature is expected to be between 16 and 18°C.

In the second stage, participants will ride their bikes from the Gal Reservoir to Lake Ritsa. This part of the race is 191 km long and goes along the Black Sea coast, passing through places like Sukhum, New Athos, and the village of Bzyb.

The final stage is a 39 km run. Athletes will run down from Lake Ritsa, passing landmarks such as the Chabgar Cornice, the Stone Bag Gorge, and the Men's Tears Waterfall, before reaching the Geg Waterfall. The route will then continue through the mountains to Lake small Ritsa.

There will be 14 athletes competing individually in Nartman 2024, along with a team of three local participants.

The awards ceremony will be held on 13 October at 11:00 a.m. in the square in front of the Fazil Iskander State Russian Drama Theatre.

The event is organised by the Triathlon Federation of Abkhazia and triathlon and running coach Anton Kharchenko, with support from the A-Mobile company and the State Committee for Youth Affairs and Sports.

The Narts are legendary heroes from the ancient mythologies of the Caucasus, especially revered by the Circassians, Abkhazians, Abazas, and Ubykhs. Their stories, similar in cultural significance to Greek mythology, depict extraordinary figures known for their courage, strength, and wisdom.