Obstacle Almere-Amsterdam is among Challenge Family’s flagship occasions, each year bringing a celebration of triathlon to the city of Almere as countless professional athletes from all over the world show up to complete in the far away and middle range triathlon and aquabike occasions.
Commemorating it’s 43rd anniversary in 2024, this is a race which is soaked in history– frequently viewed as the very heart of Dutch triathlon. With this year’s occasion right around the corner, we have a look back at the history of this ever-popular race– consisting of course records and the veteran age-groupers who have years of experience when it concerns toeing the Challenge Almere-Amsterdam start line.
How it began: History of the earliest far away triathlon in Europe
Far away triathlon has a home in Almere, with what was then called the Holland Triathlon initially occurring in 1981. That makes the race the 2nd earliest cross country triathlon worldwide, behind Kona, and the earliest complete range race in Europe. Which age is supported by eminence: even in the early days the triathlon hosted several European champions (1985, 1991, 1999, 2006) and 2 World Championships (2003, 2008)– the latter of which was won by triathlon legend, Chrissie Wellington.
The takeover: From Holland Triathlon to Challenge Almere-Amsterdam
The just cross country race to occur listed below water level, on recovered land which was as soon as the bottom of the Zuidersee, Challenge Family took control of the Holland Triathlon in 2013. And while that indicated a make over and a brand-new lease of life for the race. The Race Management group at the helm were currently really knowledgeable about the occasion, maturing being influenced by the swim-bike-run action.
Difficulty Family CEO and Challenge Almere-Amsterdam Commercial Director Jort Vlam [Photo Credit: Ingo Kutsche]
Difficulty Family CEO Jort Vlam relocated to Almere when he was 5 years of ages, getting here in the city simply a number of weeks before that year’s edition of the Holland Triathlon. Not actually understanding what the race was, he and his household chose to have a look. Talking to TRI247 in 2022, Jort exposed how that would show essential in his journey to his profession in triathlon:
“We went to take a look and I was right away hooked by triathlon … I discovered it motivating from the start and as quickly as I had the ability to participate in the youth triathlon club I signed up with.”
“I did kids triathlon, and after that I constantly had the dream to do a far away race, that was the motivation, together with my neighbour good friends we began offering for the Almere race when we were 11, 12 years of ages.”
After accomplishing his imagine finishing the far away triathlon, Jort kept in mind that the race was at a turning point. Something required to alter, to keep the race alive. Therefore he partnered with Jefry Visser and Richard Belderok, who ‘d likewise matured being motivated by the race: “It became part of us,