Challenge Almere-Amsterdam will host the European Long Distance Championship this weekend. The event has 50 professional athletes scheduled to compete.
Now in its 44th edition, the event is Europe’s oldest long-distance triathlon and the second-oldest in the world. Racing begins on Saturday, September 13, with the women starting at 07:10 CEST and the men at 07:25.
In the men’s field, Britain’s Will Draper enters the race with several podium finishes this season, including a win at Challenge Samarkand. This will be Draper’s debut over the long distance.
Sweden’s Robert Kallin may target Andrew Starykowicz’s 2023 bike course record of 4:02:12. Ognjen Stojanovic from Serbia will also compete, bringing experience from podiums at Challenge Cesenatico, Challenge Mogán-Gran Canaria, and Challenge Samarkand. The Dutch contingent includes Pim Van Diemen, Milan Brons, and Tristan Olij.
In the women’s race, the key competitors are Els Visser (NED), Marta Lagownik (POL), and Daisy Davies (GBR). Visser won both the race and the European title in 2023. Lagownik and Davies will both make their full-distance debuts.
Lagownik has two victories and two additional podiums this season, including a win at Challenge Mogán-Gran Canaria. Davies has won at Challenge Wales and Challenge Vieux Boucau in 2024, alongside a second-place finish at this year’s The Championship. Other athletes competing include Simona Krivánková (CZE), Gabriele Maria Obmann (AUT), and Vanessa Pereira (POR).
Live coverage will be available at www.challenge-family.live.
