Dear all,

I would like to ask for your help and hope that you will join me in raising awareness and funds for the great organisation Aktiv mot kreft - their work is truly inspirational and hugely important.

Aktiv mot kreft mission is for physical activity to be an integral part of cancer treatment. Research has provided evidence of the many benefits that physical activity can have on cancer patients - both during and after treatment. It can reduce unwanted side effects, improve endurance, strength and energy. But most importantly - it provides a sense of empowerment and improves quality of life. Recent research has also indicated that physical activity can reduce cancer progression and improve a patient’s response to anticancer therapy. Through their important work, Aktiv mot kreft, amongst various initiatives, establishes fitness centres at hospitals and supports research into the effects that physical activity has on cancer in both Norway and the US.

By organising the Lockdown Triathlons Series 2020 and through my participation in Norseman 2021 (see below for further details on both), I see this as a unique opportunity to challenge ourselves, to build a community that supports each other, encourage an active lifestyle and importantly helps beat cancer by raising awareness and funds for the great charitable organisation Aktiv mot kreft.

While I will dedicate the Lockdown Triathlons and my Norseman preparation and race to Aktiv mot kreft , I will also match any funds that you provide. Any donations, however small, is greatly appreciated .

Thank you so much for joining me on this journey - it truly means alot to me.

All my best,

Morten

>> The Lockdown Triathlons

This is usually the time of the year when triathletes are hammering out the last few races of the year and counting the days and weeks until the offseason. Unfortunately, 2020 is continuing to pose challenges for most, with races cancelled or postponed, various lockdowns across the world effectively closing access to fitness centres, pools and ability to train in groups or with your local triathlon club. And the temptation to put the running shoes at the back of the shoe cabinet and the bike firmly in the garage for the winter increases exponentially by the day...

But rather than capitulating as 2020 comes to an end, let’s stay active during lockdown, continue with our exercise goals, training plans and evolve our personal aspirations for 2020! And at the same time building a community that supports each other, encourage an active lifestyle and importantly helps beat cancer.

I challenge you to take part in one or several of the Lockdown Triathlons 2020 events over the coming months! Wherever you are in the world, whether you are participating indoors on treadmills and turbo trainers, whatever your background and experience - whether you are new to the sport, a seasoned AG triathlete or a professional, I hope to “see” you at the start and finishing line of your choice!

The Concept: This is not about who can complete the fastest, the longest or the most challenging triathlon. Whichever distance you decide to complete, how you decide to sequence the three sports or whether you do them all on the same day or across the weekend (to fit around existing training plans), this is about staying active, participation, community and having fun! And ultimately having completed a Lockdown Triathlon and thereby helping others beat cancer through our support for Aktiv Mot Kreft (Active Against Cancer)!

The distances are up to you:

- Sprint: 750m swim (or 2.5km run), 20km bike, 5km run

- Olympic: 1.5km swim (or 5km run), 40km bike, 10km run

- Half Ironman: 1.9km swim (or 5km run), 90km bike, 21.1km run

- Full Ironman: 3.8km swim (or 10km run), 180km bike, 42.2km run

Swim: With many of us (including myself), not currently having access to pools / open water during the ongoing lockdown measures, you can substitute the swim for a run instead (see above for guidance).

The Support and Community: We hope to “see” as many of you as possible on the start and finish line! Please upload or send a picture of your own race and completed activity to instragram @lockdown_triathlons with the hashtag #lockdowntriathlons along with your completed triathlon distance to be featured on our account, inspire others, build a community of lockdown triathletes

The Lockdown Triathlon 2020 Series Dates:

Weekend 27-29th November: Lockdown Triathlon #1

Weekend 11-13th December: Lockdown Triathlon #2

- Join me and others around the world completing a triathlon of your choice across one or both weekends

- Venue: Wherever you are in the world, whether indoor or outdoor (or a combination)

- Distances: You choose both the distances and how you want to complete your triathlon - whether you split the tree sports across the weekend or complete it all back to back on the same day - the important part is to be active, participate and have fun this weekend!

- My distances: Half Ironman (29th November), Full Ironman (13th December)

> Norseman Triathlon

Norseman Triathlon....jump off a ferry into Eidfjorden at 5am....swim 3.8km to reach the shore....bike 180km from Eidfjord across Hardangervidda to Austbygde....run 42.2km with a finish at the top of Mt. Gaustadtoppen at 1,850m...a 226km point to point epic race with 5,235m (17,175 ft) elevation gain and a journey of a lifetime.

On August 7, 2021, during the early hours of the day before sunrise, I will be looking into the dark waters of Eidfjorden where water temperatures in August typically range between 13 to 15 degrees. It will be a moment of true reflection which I am grateful to have the opportunity to experience. But that moment is neither the start nor the end of this amazing journey. I am grateful and proud of having been selected to race for Team Zalaris for Norseman 2020 (now postponed to 2021) and the opporutinty to raise awareness and funds for Aktiv mot kreft

https://nxtri.com/

https://aktivmotkreft.no/om-oss-3/

http://www.aktivagainstcancer.org/