A new chapter in European triathlon history starts on 14 September with the first Challenge Almere-Amsterdam. The event organisers point to an already impressive starting line-up, with athletes from 35 nations attending this historic event that is the oldest triathlon in the world outside of Hawaii.
Since the Holland Triathlon Almere became part of the prestigious international Challenge Family series, top athletes have been keen to take on the challenge and history in Almere.
The Almere course is the world’s only long distance triathlon located below sea level, on reclaimed land at the bottom of what was once the Zuiderzee (South Sea), just 25km from the Dutch capital of Amsterdam.
Still surrounded by water, the course features the typical Dutch landscapes renowned the world over – dikes, windmills, tulip fields and endless straight, fast roads where the battle is between the athlete and the elements.
Almere’s long history of triathlon includes hosting four European Championships (1985, 1991, 1999, 2006) and two World Championships (2003 and 2008) with the race record held by Jan van der Marel with a time of 7:57:46.
Confirmed at the beginning of 2013, the new Challenge Almere-Amsterdam has Rabobank Almere on board as the new main sponsor for the event. Following this deal, ‘Presented by Rabobank’ has been included in all statements and alongside the Challenge Almere-Amsterdam logo. In addition to an undisclosed financial contribution, Rabobank is offering support in promoting the event in Almere.
Patrick Seinstra, Chairman of the Holland Triathlon and the Challenge Almere-Amsterdam race organiser, said “Rabobank is at the heart of the Almere community. That they are committed to the oldest sporting event of the city shows how closely linked the triathlon is with Almere and that there is confidence in the newly restructured race. With the Rabobank as main sponsor, our event gets the recognition it deserves.”
