The European Triathlon Union (ETU) and Challenge Family have today announced that they will work together to deliver the 2017 Long Distance Triathlon European Championship at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam on 9 September 2017.
Billed as a highly rated event among athletes, Challenge Family adds that Almere has long been a fantastic host for numerous international championship events.
“After the success of the European Championship in 2014 we are delighted that we can host this championship again in 2017. Our team and volunteers will do everything to create a life-time experience for our participants,” said Race Director, Richard Belderok.
ETU President, Renato Bertrandi reportedly expressed delight that athletes will benefit from the ‘Almere Experience’ in 2017. “There can be few athletes who have not heard of this race,” Bertrandi said. “Diaries should be noted for 9th September, 2017. This event, held every year since 1983 is the second-oldest triathlon in the world. Only Hawaii is older. As a tried and tested venue, Almere has hosted five European Championships (1985, 1991, 1999, 2006 and 2014) and two World Championships (2003 and 2008). The race record, set by Jan van der Marel, of 7:57:46 in 1999, still stands.”
The race is unique in that athletes will be racing at 4.5m below sea level on land reclaimed from the Zuiderzee, which makes it the ‘lowest triathlon in Europe’.
“Course enhancements made in 2012 see the start and finish locations right in the city centre. The swim, bike and run courses all start and finish on the Esplanade. A great event for our athletes to go long,” said Bertrandi.
Zibi Szlufcik, CEO of Challenge Family welcomed the opportunity to once again showcase a Challenge Family race to the world. He said “To announce the Long Distance ETU European Championship at the wonderful venue of Challenge Almere-Amsterdam is sheer pleasure. This race is one of the most iconic events in the world with a seamless race organization, excellent race operations team and a true athlete-first approach.
“This partnership fuels our fantastic working relationship with the ETU and we couldn’t ask for a better stage to celebrate this relationship on than in the city of Almere in the wonderful region of Flevoland. I would also like to thank the city of Almere, the Dutch Triathlon Federation, event sponsors, partners, media, volunteers and most of all the athletes competing for the European Champion titles.”
More than 2.700 athletes participated in the 2016 edition of Challenge Almere-Amsterdam. Located just 20 minutes from Amsterdam ‘more than 40,000 spectators line the 3.8m swim, 180km bike and 42.2km run with flat courses’. Athletes can register now for the 2017 Long Distance Triathlon European Championship at the Challenge Almere-Amsterdam website.
