WATCH LIVE: Challenge Almere-Amsterdam as Long Distance European titles on the line

Challenge Almere-Amsterdam is the second oldest long distance triathlon in the world, and this Saturday (14 September) will see a strong line up of PROs and age-groupers taking to the start line as they all battle it out for Long Distance European Championship titles.

Celebrating it’s 43rd birthday, the unique below-sea level race has all the makings of a fast and furious day of swim, bike, run – if the athletes can hold their own against those notoriously strong head winds.

With last year’s champions Menno Koolhaas and Els Visser opting out, it’s all to play for. Last year’s runner up Marlene de Boer will be seeking glory in front of her home crowd. And in the men’s race, Florian Angert, Jesper Svensson, Josh Lewis and last year’s third-place finisher Milan Brons will all be looking to beat Koolhaas’s 2023 course record.

Read on to find out more about one of the fastest long distance races on the circuit.

Start time and how to watch

The action at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam starts at 7.10am local time (CET) on Saturday 14 September – which is 6.10am BST and 1.10am EST. The elite women are off first, followed by the elite men 15 minutes later, and the para triathlon at 7.27am. The age-group racing features the Age Group European Long Distance Championships, alongside a long distance open race and a middle distance open race.

The PRO racing will be livestreamed on the Challenge Family YouTube channel with commentary from Belinda Granger – it’s embedded below so you don’t need to leave this page.

Women’s start list

The 2023 edition of Challenge Almere-Amsterdam saw Els Visser storm to victory. But with Visser choosing not to return to defend her crown, countrywoman Marlene de Boer will be looking to finish one step higher on the podium to take the win on home soil. De Boer comes into the race with strong race results under her belt so far this year, including a victory at IRONMAN Sweden last month and a first place finish at IRONMAN 70.3 Poznan at the start of September.

Marlene de Boer racing at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam in 2023 [Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade]

And while de Boer is certainly the firm favourite to take the top step, she’ll have competition from fan favourite Michelle Vesterby. Famous for her ‘keep smiling’ mantra while racing, Vesterby is set to retire from professional competition after Almere and will want to end her PRO career on a high.

Aside from de Boer and Vesterby, Almere veteran Lina Kristin Schink (GER) who has raced here several times, Camille Deligny (FRA) and Magda Nieuwodt (ZA) have all been tipped as ones to watch.

While last year saw Renee Kiley (AUS) smash the bike course record with a 4:23:07 split, the overall course record from 2021 still stands. Temperatures on race day look favourable for fast times, so keep an eye on the clock to see if any of the PRO women can best Sarissa de Vries’ 08:32:04 finish from 2021.

Men’s start list

With last years 1st and 2nd place finishers, Menno Koolhaas (who also set the course record) and Kieran Linders out of the equation. 2023 3rd place finisher and local hero Milan Brons will surely be looking to finish a step or two higher on the podium.

He’ll have competition from Jesper Svensson, who formed part of the leading pack on the bike last year before fading on the run. The Swedish athlete has plenty of experience on the surprisingly tough course though, with a 2nd place finish in 2021 with a time that still holds him as the third fastest male PRO ever in Almere.

Milan Brons at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam 2023 [Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade]

Outside of Brons and Svensson, German athlete Florian Angert is set to be a strong contender. Alongside Brit Josh Lewis, who finished on the podium at Challenge Wales earlier in the year and placed 8th in a competitive field at Challenge Roth. Lukas Wojt will be looking for redemption after a DNF in Almere last year. And 2021 Tokyo Olympian Jorik van Egdom (NED) will be one to watch as the former short course specialist steps up to the long distance for the first time.

Challenge Almere-Amsterdam course – flat doesn’t mean easy

The course at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam is deceptive. On paper, the straight forward two-lap swim, incredibly flat bike and flat run course might seem like athletes are in for an easy ride. But this is a course with no let-up – from the wind, or the aero position.

The long straight road along the dykes on the bike course can often subject the athletes to a seriously tough head wind, which can make the flat course profile feel like it’s one long up-hill. And with no reason to get out of the saddle or freewheel on descents, those who overcook it pushing the power on the bike can blow up spectacularly once they hit the marathon course. Challenge Almere-Amsterdam certainly isn’t a race you should underestimate.

Unlike last year which saw a late summer heat wave bring in uncharacteristically hot temperatures, the predicted cooler race day temperature this year looks like it might lend itself to some seriously fast times. Keep an eye on those course records – they may well tumble.

Alongside the PRO race, a field of almost 3000 amateur athletes will take to the start line. Competing across the Age Group European Long Distance Championships, plus open long and middle distance triathlon and aquabike events.

Check out our race guide and read our race day tips to discover more about racing Challenge Almere-Amsterdam as an age-grouper.