TRIATHLON

Challenge Almere-Amsterdam 2016: Europe's oldest triathlon

By Challenge Almere-Amsterdam

On Saturday 10 September 2016, Almere and the province of Flevoland again feature Europe’s oldest long distance triathlon: Challenge Almere‐Amsterdam. Athletes from all over the world will contend for the prestigious podium places of this classic race. The triathlon starts and finishes in the center of Almere on the Esplanade square, and the course is situated throughout the reclaimed land of Flevoland with the beautiful nature reserve Oostvaardersplassen and the cities Lelystad, Zeewolde, and Almere. The classic long distance race consists of a 3,8 km swim course, a 180 km bike course, and a 42,2 run course. Until now, over 700 athletes have already registered for the various races of the Challenge Almere‐Amsterdam weekend. Registering is still possible until August 31st (or until the maximum capacity is reached) via www.challenge‐almere.com .

The Challenge Almere‐Amsterdam weekend takes place on 9, 10, and 11 September 2016. Friday 9 September traditionally starts with the Junior Challenge and Challenge4All. The main event of the weekend ‐ the long distance triathlon ‐ takes place on Saturday, together with the half distance and TriTogether on both distances. The weekend will finish on Sunday with spectacular short team relays during the Business and Family Relay series and with the finals of the Lotto Premier League Triathlon. The program and more information about participating can be found on www.challenge‐almere.com


Winner 2015 Kathrin Walther. Photo © Stephen Pond / Getty Images 2015

Course below sea level
In the early morning, athletes swim 3,8 km in the lake Weerwater right next to the Theater Almere in the city center of Almere. Continuing by bike, the athletes will cycle 180 km through the polders of Flevoland which are situated 4,5 meters below sea level. The route will take them through Almere, via the Oostvaardersdijk (with a view on the skyline of Amsterdam) to Lelystad, via the Knardijk alongside the northern boundary of the Oostvaardersplassen and straight through the polder to Zeewolde. The cycle route ends at the Esplanade square in Almere from which the athletes start the last part of the triathlon by running a marathon (42,2 km) around the Weerwater. The finish is situated at the Esplanade square.


Challenge Almere-Amsterdam. Photo © Stephen Pond / Getty Images 2015

Challenge Almere‐Amsterdam
After the Hawaii triathlon, the Challenge Almere‐Amsterdam (also known as the Holland Triathlon) is the oldest triathlon of the world on the classic distance. Almere is the ultimate triathlon city with a large triathlon club, the regional training centre for young talents, the Dutch Championship triathlon for schools, and many individual athletes. The city of Almere and the province of Flevoland are renowned for their location beneath the sea level, which means athletes are competing 4,5 meters below the sea. The long straight roads in the polder and the windmills create an unique experience for especially the foreign athletes. Almere is located 30 km north‐east of Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands.