For a whole year, both the organizing team and hundreds of volunteers worked hard to make Challenge Almere-Amsterdam 2026 a spectacular edition, and today’s start is already very promising. Despite a minor setback with the swim being canceled for the Junior Challenge, the opening of Europe’s oldest triathlon – which is also celebrating its 45th edition – was one to remember.
Around 4,500 participants are taking to the starting line in Almere this weekend, making it a record-breaking edition. Today, during the Junior Challenge, another record was broken right away with 550 participants. All participants, ranging in age from twelve to eighteen, ran 1 kilometer, biked 9 kilometers, and finally put on their running shoes again for a 2-kilometer run. The fact that the triathlon was transformed into a duathlon was due to slightly elevated blue-green algae levels in the Weerwater, which prompted the environmental agency to issue a swimming warning. Although the water quality meets all quality standards set by both the Dutch and International Triathlon Unions, an ethical decision was made not to let the young children swim. All other swimming events at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam will go ahead as planned.
Back to the sporting celebration, because despite the adapted format, all the students raced with their teeth grit. In the women’s category, victory went to Emma Rimmelzwaan, who crossed the finish line after 32:08 minutes. The battle for the podium was close and exciting, as Lisa Rimmelzwaan finished second in 32:15, completing the family celebration. Merel van Luttervelt took the bronze in 32:35.
In the men’s category, the gaps were slightly larger than in the women’s, but still small. Floris Tas was the fastest athlete and won the Junior Challenge in a time of 30:25. Vincent van der Heijde came second in 31:10 and Stijn Beekman third in 31:13. “The Junior Challenge is always the first event of Challenge Almere-Amsterdam, and every year I see why,” said Race Director Richard Belderok. “This is where the love for the sport of triathlon begins. You see enthusiasm, passion, and also fierce competition. It’s great to see hundreds of people standing on the sidelines cheering on all these young heroes.”
Following the Junior Challenge, the RABO Business Relay – always popular among corporate teams – took place. In teams of three colleagues, around one hundred teams competed against each other over the ultra-short distance of a 380-meter swim, 9-kilometer bike, and 2-kilometer run. “Also a wonderful event, because we see athletes of all skill levels there. Starting here are triathletes who have been active in the sport for years, but also people who have never done a triathlon before or even heard of the sport. Afterwards, all these people come together, have a drink, and take time to network. We look back on this first day of Challenge Almere-Amsterdam with a great feeling,” Belderok concludes. “And with just as good a feeling toward the coming days.”
Challenge Almere-Amsterdam continues tomorrow – Friday, September 11 – with events including the Senior & No-Limit Challenge. Saturday, September 12, is the main race day, featuring the European Championship Long Distance as the headline event alongside the ever-popular Middle Distance. Challenge Almere-Amsterdam celebrates its 45th anniversary this year.
All results here.
