Couple Embarks on ‘5athlon’ Journey from Norway to South Africa

Adventure on a Grand Scale

In an ambitious endeavor that combines endurance with a spirit of adventure, Finnish couple Peyman, 42, and Sailor, 36, have launched an expedition they aptly call the “5athlon.” This multi-disciplinary challenge spans approximately 20,000 kilometers, taking them from Norway all the way to South Africa using only their physical strength and skills. The couple has designed the journey to include six stages, incorporating five different activities: skiing, running, cycling, swimming, and sailing. They anticipate that the project will take around two and a half years to complete.

Expedition Details

The couple kicked off their journey on January 27, 2025. Their initial stage involves skiing and hauling sleds over a distance of 795 kilometers, starting from North Cape in Norway and concluding in Rovaniemi, Finland. Following the skiing trek, they plan to run across Finland to Helsinki and then swim to Tallinn, Estonia. The second half of their journey will consist of cycling from Estonia to Greece, sailing across the Mediterranean to Egypt, and finally cycling through various African countries to reach South Africa.

Outside of their swimming stage, where they will have a safety boat accompanying them, the couple aims to rely solely on their own efforts, camping along the way. They will periodically stop in towns for rest, equipment repairs, and supplies. While primarily committed to human-powered travel, they acknowledge that public transport may be necessary at times.

Meeting of Adventurous Minds

Peyman and Sailor met in Helsinki in late 2022 and quickly bonded over their shared passion for adventure. Both have extensive backgrounds in solo expeditions: Peyman has logged eight years of tent camping and cycled approximately 55,000 kilometers across three continents, while Sailor has traveled to 30 countries. Since their partnership began, they have completed trips including bikerafting across Finnish Lapland and cycling from Helsinki to Berlin on a tight budget.

Progress and Challenges

During the first week of their 5athlon, the couple acclimated to dragging 50-kilogram sleds over snowy terrain. Weather conditions proved to be a challenge; they faced several days trapped in their tent due to snowstorms. By the end of the week, they managed to cover around 12 kilometers a day, reaching their first village, Honningsvåg. Initially planning to stay for a short rest, they ended up spending nearly a week there due to delays caused by the weather.

Once they departed Honningsvåg, they encountered unexpected conditions that hindered their progress. With limited snow, Peyman and Sailor had to adapt by dragging their sleds over heather. After a snowfall provided temporary relief, they faced another setback with deep, soft snow, forcing them to reduce their skiing hours.

To maintain momentum over the course of their journey, they crafted makeshift wheels for their sleds after realizing that skis alone were insufficient for the extended trek. After eight weeks, their logistics had to shift, as Sailor took a temporary job with the Finnish Coast Guard, which required periodic returns to her work throughout the expedition.

Milestones and Setbacks

On March 23, Sailor rejoined Peyman just in time for a significant achievement: crossing the Norwegian-Finnish border on skis, a unique experience they celebrated together. However, shortly after reuniting, they faced a health challenge as both contracted norovirus. After a few difficult days, during which they struggled to keep food down, they resumed skiing, determined to push through their difficulties.

Currently, they have approximately 300 kilometers remaining until they reach Rovaniemi, marking the end of the first phase of their journey. As warmer weather continues to slow their progress, they remain vigilant, adapting their strategies as they move forward.

For updates on their expedition, they maintain an active presence on social media, sharing their experiences and insights with an audience of over 100,000 subscribers on their YouTube channel.

By undertaking the 5athlon, Peyman and Sailor embody the essence of adventure, tackling both the physical and environmental challenges posed by their extraordinary journey.