As Challenge Almere-Amsterdam prepares for its 45th edition, the organization has announced a record number of entries alongside a new fireworks show to wrap up the celebratory race weekend.
At the time of writing, Challenge Almere-Amsterdam has recorded over one thousand entries for its Long Distance race (3.8-180-42.2), with a portion also competing in the European Championship. It has been years since the event in Almere hosted over a thousand athletes at the starting line of the classic distance. Meanwhile, the Middle Distance is approaching full capacity, bringing the total number of athletes racing in the polder city to over four thousand. This edition will be exceptionally festive, marking both the event’s 45th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the city of Almere, which predates the triathlon by five years.
Event Organizer Jefry Visser explained that growth stalled for a period, largely due to COVID, but the event has successfully regained its upward momentum. “After COVID, like all sporting events worldwide, we experienced a significant drop in participant numbers. Fortunately, over the past few years, we’ve seen that trend turn around as more and more athletes find their way back to Almere. This has culminated in an edition where, for the first time in years, we have over a thousand athletes competing in the Long Distance – covering a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, and 42.2 km run. It’s a record we are very proud of. At the same time, the Middle Distance is selling out fast, with only a very limited number of slots remaining. In total, around four thousand athletes will compete in Almere, representing over sixty different nationalities. Our participants come from all corners of the globe, both literally and figuratively.”
Challenge Almere-Amsterdam takes place from September 10 to 13. On Thursday, September 10, the schedule features the Junior Challenge for students and the RABO Business Relay for corporate teams. Friday, September 11, hosts the Senior and No-Limit Challenge for older adults and individuals with intellectual disabilities. The main event kicks off on Saturday, September 12, featuring the European Championship Long Distance alongside the ever-popular Middle Distance. The first wave starts at 7:10 AM for the women, followed by the men at 7:25 AM. The final finishers will be welcomed to the Esplanade in a packed stadium atmosphere around 10:45 PM.
Saturday – September 12 – will conclude right after the final finisher with a brand-new fireworks display. Launched from specialized fireworks pontoons positioned in the Weerwater lake near the Esplanade, the display will last over ten minutes. “We couldn’t imagine a more festive end to Challenge Almere-Amsterdam. With spectacular fireworks synchronized to music, we will literally end the race weekend with a bang. We hope as many local residents as possible will come out to watch,” Visser added.
