AN APPLEBY man completed the ultimate triathlon on the planet which takes place every year in Norway. 

48-year-old Steven Quince completed the gruelling The Zalaris Norseman through terrestrial rain and thunderstorms on August 5. 

Thousands of people apply for the race, but only 290 are selected annually.

Steven learned about the race when he lived in Norway for 10 years and was selected for the challenge in November last year.

"I have been training since I found out I was selected," said Ms Quince. 

"You get out in a ferry into the fjord then jump out from the back of the ferry into the water and then swim 3.8 km and then cycle 180km and finish on a 42km marathon.

"The bike was so difficult - I was on my bicycle for almost 8 hours and you do 3000 meters of climbing. It is absolutely brutal."

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Mr Quince crossed the finish line in under 15 hours and was one of the first 160 athletes to complete the race.

He was then awarded the famous black shirt of Norseman - an achievement only a handful of people can get.

He said: "The training has dominated a big part of my life, so I'm over the moon. 

"You can't do this race by yourself you need to have a support team by yourself, and my wife, Sharon Quince, was my support team. She followed me along with her car and gave me support, clothing and food.

"It is a team event. You don't start and finish at the same place, so you need to have support with you all the time.

The athlete says he wants to repeat the race in the future.

He said: "I want to do it again because I feel like there is a bit of unfinished business as I didn't get to the top of the mountain due to thunder and lightning."