Top field hunts for Euro-Champs LD Title at CHALLENGE Almere-Amsterdam

Friday 08 September 2023

They are slowly but surely dropping in to Almere and come from all over the world: over 50 professional athletes are preparing to start Saturday’s Challenge Almere-Amsterdam. They all have one goal: to win the race and crown themselves European Long Distance Champion.

In the men’s race, much is expected of defending champion, Kieran Lindars. The Brit finished last year in 7:55:44 – the first half of the race was characterized then by tough conditions – and has his sights set on reclaiming his title. After a successful year with several top finishes, he certainly counts himself among the favourites for the coveted victory in Almere. "I know what it takes to win a race like Challenge Almere-Amsterdam. In the end, it’s about the one who can best handle the difficult moments and the one who doesn’t do crazy things when things are going well."

Strong competition, Dutchmen hope for win
Lindars can count on particularly strong competition, as Challenge Almere-Amsterdam has not only a strong, but also deep field this year. Since 2012, Challenge Almere-Amsterdam has not had a Dutch winner in the men’s race: Dirk Wijnalda was the last to take that honour. This year that might just change, with Menno Koolhaas and Evert Scheltinga as the biggest assets.

At 35 years old, Scheltinga is a so-called ‘veteran’; in 2021 he broke the then 22-year-old Dutch record and recorded 7:49:32 at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam, finishing fourth at the World Championships. Last year Scheltinga, who races every year in Almere, faced a flat tire that prevented a top ranking, but the Dutchman invariably finishes at the front of his Long Distance races.

Fast times
Menno Koolhaas is a still young talent who made his real breakthrough on the Long Distance last year and has continued to build on his level this year. Earlier this week, Koolhaas expressed his ambition to take the win at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam and reckoned with a finish time of around 7:45. It would mean a lightning-fast time, but to improve the Challenge Almere-Amsterdam course record, racing would have to be even faster: since 2021, the course record has stood in the name of Kristian Høgenhaug, who became World Champion in 7:36:46. The Dane ensured Challenge Almere-Amsterdam is among the top ten fastest races in the world.

Plenty of big names
The race’s three top seeds have dozens of other men to reckon with. Among them are Andrew Starykowicz (USA), former winner Matt Trautman (RSA), Tomas Renc (CZE), Jesper Svensson (SWE), Pamphiel Pareyn (BEL) and Thomas Bishop (GBR). For Bishop it will be his first Long Distance and first Challenge Almere-Amsterdam, but many of his competitors expect Bishop at the front of the race and see in him one of the biggest favourites to win the race.

Katharina Wolff returns as defending champion
The defending champion also returns to Challenge Almere-Amsterdam in the women’s race. Katharina Wolff cherishes fond memories of the race, where she won last year in a time of 9:10:10. The top athlete, who combines her existence as a professional athlete with a job as a teacher, is looking forward to competing on the course and will start with a lot of confidence. "More than last year. I was able to prepare well for this race." 

Biggest favorite, however, is Dutch Els Visser. Visser only started once before at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam. In 2019 she finished second behind compatriot Yvonne van Vlerken. Then twice the race did not fit into her schedule and last year, when she was also seen as the favorite for the win, she fell ill the night before the start and had to cancel an hour before the starting gun went off.

Visser races for top ranking
All eyes are now on Visser, who herself indicates that she definitely does not want to miss Challenge Almere-Amsterdam once again: the race forms one of her two major main goals of 2023. Visser is a Middle Distance and Long Distance athlete who has only one goal in Almere: to win. Of course, the course record of Sarissa de Vries, who became World Champion in 2021 in a stunning time of 8:32:04, also plays a role. "But that record is very fast. In the end, I’m racing for a good ranking and not for a time," Visser said.

Dangerous outsiders
Lina-Kristin Schink will also appear at the start in Almere: the German athlete can by now be called ‘Miss Almere’. Schink is racing almost every year, almost guarantees podium finishes, but never stood on the highest step in Almere. Naturally, Schink hopes to fulfil that dream this year. Other dangerous outsiders in the women’s race include Renee Kiley (AUS), Vanessa Pereira (POR) and Marlene de Boer (NED).

Four-day event, free livestream and athlete tracking
Challenge Almere-Amsterdam is a four-day event. On Thursday, September 7, the Junior Challenge and RABO Business Relay kick off the first side events. On Friday, September 8, the Senior & No-Limit Challenge and a free Kids Run will follow. Saturday, September 9, will be the European Long Distance Championships and ever-popular Middle Distance. On Sunday, September 10, there will be an Awards Ceremony.

The pro women start at 7:10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9. The pro men follow at 7:25 a.m. Challenge Almere-Amsterdam will be broadcast for free via livestream with English commentary and friends and family can follow/track athletes at www.challenge-family.live. Learn more about the race at www.challenge-almere.com.

CHALLENGE Family


Coming Triathlon Events View all

Altriman

les Angles, Pyrenees, France

eagleXman

Assergi, Italy

TriBourne 226

Eastbourne, United Kingdom

Kaike triathlon

Yonago, Tottori, Japan

Outlaw Triathlon

Nottingham, United Kingdom

Wild Siberia Xtreme

Lake Cheybek-Kohl, Siberia, Russian Federation

Starvation Extreme

Starvation Reservoir, Utah, United States

Norseman Xtreme

Geilo, Norway

Ostseeman

Glucksburg, Germany

Slovakman 226

Pieštany, Slovakia

Ironman Vitoria Gasteiz

Vitoria Gasteiz, Spain

Ironman Lake Placid

Lake Placid, United States

Ironman Leeds

Leeds, United Kingdom

Ironman Canada Ottawa

Ottowa, Canada

Ironman Kalmar Sweden

Kalmar, Sweden

Ironman Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark

Ironman Tallinn

Tallinn, Estonia

Ironman Switzerland

Thun, Switzerland

Ironman Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPS MEN

Nice, France

Oravaman

Zuberec, Slovakia

Cotswold Classic

Ashton Keynes, United Kingdom

Door Country Half

Egg Harbor, WI, United States

Garmin Tri Tour Sycow

Sycow, Poland

Castle to Coast

Windsor to Brighton, United Kingdom

Sourdough Triathlon

Chatanika, Alaska, United States

TRI Boulder

Boulder, CO, United States

Timisoara Triathlon

Timisoara, Romania

Trumer Triathlon

Obertrum am See, Austria

Honeymoon Half Gravel Tri

Honeymoon Bay BC, Canada

70.3 Muncie

Muncie, Indiana, United States

70.3 Luxembourg

Remich, Luxembourg

70.3 Swansea

Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom

70.3 Musselman

Geneva NY, United States

70.3 Ohio

Sandusky, United States

70.3 Oregon

Salem OR, United States

70.3 Ecuador

Manta, Ecuador

70.3 Boise

Boise Idaho, United States

70.3 Calgary

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

70.3 Maine

Augusta, United States

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

IRONMAN Vitoria Gasteiz WPRO Start List

IRONMAN Vitoria Gasteiz WPRO Start List

Friday 11 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz invites you to the spectacular cultural capital of northern Spain's Basque Country! With over a decade of triathlon heritage, Vitoria-Gasteiz is a well-known triathlon playground offering astonishing natural landscapes, rich culture, unforgettable Basque gastronomy, and the most passionate and vibrant fans that will encourage you until the finish line. more

Fabian Kraft, Lena Meissner Win 70.3 Jonkoping

Fabian Kraft, Lena Meissner Win 70.3 Jonkoping

Monday 07 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

The event, held on Sunday, July 6, featured a swim in Lake Munksjön, a bike course through the scenic Swedish countryside, and a run through the center of Jönköping around the lake. more

Sam Laidlow, Laura Philipp Win CHALLENGE Roth

Sam Laidlow, Laura Philipp Win CHALLENGE Roth

Sunday 06 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

Reigning world champion Laura Philipp and world champion Sam Laidlow have won DATEV Challenge Roth and, in front of several hundred thousand spectators, entered the list of winners of the world's largest long-distance triathlon for the first time. Jonas Schomburg, who had to drop out in Frankfurt a week ago and so entered Roth last minute, came second and for a long time even had his sights set on the top step of the podium. more

70.3 Jonkoping SWE Pro Start List

70.3 Jonkoping SWE Pro Start List

Friday 04 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

A warm and heartfelt welcome to 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Jönköping European Championship! On Sunday, July 6, you’ll be part of something truly special – a celebration of athleticism, determination and community, set in the heart of Sweden. more

World Champions, Olympians, Roth Legends At CHALLENGE Roth 2025

World Champions, Olympians, Roth Legends At CHALLENGE Roth 2025

Thursday 03 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

World champions, Roth winners, Olympians, European champions, local heroes, Paralympic champions – they're all in Roth! The 2025 professional field is more diverse than ever before. Whether it's a debut or a comeback, seasoned veterans, final races or new faces: 6 July promises to be a triathlon festival full of surprises. The professional field is led by the two Ironman world champions Laura Philipp and Sam Laidlow. more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.