Triathlon at top level: that is what is set to unleash in Almere on Saturday, September 12, when the 2026 Europe Triathlon Challenge Long Distance Championships Almere-Amsterdam – or simply the European Championship over the Long Distance (3.8-180-42.2) – takes place at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam. A particularly exciting and close battle is expected especially in the men’s race, while the women’s race is anticipated to be highly unpredictable and wide open.
Challenge Almere-Amsterdam is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, making it the oldest Long Distance Triathlon in Europe and the second-oldest race in the world. Naturally, it is an edition world-class athletes would love to claim as their own, and that certainly applies to Jesper Svensson: on paper, the Swede can already be considered the biggest favorite for overall victory, and he is coming fully prepared. The 2024 winner and European Champion knows what it takes to step onto the top tier of the Almere podium, and he previously finished second at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam (2021 World Championship) and fourth once (2023 European Championship) as well. However, Svensson’s current form seems difficult to predict; he has competed only once earlier this year, but less than a month ago, he did not finish at IM Sweden.
Dutch top athletes knocking on the door, ready to take over the throne
Svensson can count on tough competition, including from a strong group of Dutch elite athletes. Perhaps with the best credentials is Pim van Diemen: the consistently strong athlete has raced near the front in Almere multiple times, but has not yet secured a true top result. Last year he was also up front, but suffered a heavy crash halfway through the bike leg and was forced to withdraw. On September 12, Van Diemen naturally hopes to redeem himself after that massive disappointment, and with several rock-solid performances over the half distance earlier this year, his form looks to be right on track.
The same can be said for Milan Brons: the Almere local will certainly be lifted by the home crowd, previously finished third in his hometown, and has several top-ten finishes to his name. If there is a year he can lay claim to victory, now seems to be the time, and all signals point to a standout performance. Earlier this year, Brons secured an excellent fourth place in Austria, and he knows better than anyone what it takes to perform well in Almere. The long, stretching dikes and polder roads – along with the accompanying wind – are back in his backyard: Brons recently moved back to Almere from Girona.
Someone who will lay at least as much claim to a top result is Niek Heldoorn. Previously, Heldoorn finished second in Almere, and a few weeks ago he achieved a historic victory at the Embrunman: a race in France that he won for the second time. On paper, Heldoorn might be the strongest of the Dutch contingent, but a few days ago the world-class athlete was knocked off his bike. He broke nothing, but suffered extensive road rash, likely along with contusions and bruises, while watching his bike and fully custom-made handlebars get destroyed. Heldoorn says he will do everything in his power over the coming days to make it to the start line fit to race.
Dangerous outsiders
In addition to the three Dutch contenders, five more Dutch men will be at the start: Olaf van den Bergh, Jesse van Hulst, Pascal Franken, Marijn Markusse, and Stijn Jansen. Naturally, there are also dangerous international outsiders, with Britain’s Thomas Davis, Danes Lars Lomholt, Silas Engel Plambaek, and Thor Bendix Madsen, and Brazilian Igor Amorelli perhaps being the prime examples.
Women’s race hard to predict; Dutch well represented
In the women’s race, a highly unpredictable and, on paper, likely open race awaits, with many athletes evenly matched. With Portugal’s Vanessa Pereira, anything is possible, but the same goes for Dutch athletes Kyra Meulenberg, Maaike Vooren, Morena Stevens, and Dieske Kruisselbrink. Of those Dutch women, Vooren is almost certainly by far the fastest swimmer, and chances are high that she – just like last year – will take the lead during the first leg. Vooren will try to build as large a lead as possible during the swim, which she must then defend during the bike and run legs.
Meulenberg will approach her race in exactly the opposite way: the second-year pro athlete is making her debut in Almere and does not rely on her swim leg. Likely heading to her bike well back in the field, the race only truly begins for Meulenberg after that. On the bike, Meulenberg will do everything she can to gain back a few minutes, while the real party starts once she puts on her running shoes for four laps around the Weerwater. With a rock-solid marathon in her legs, Meulenberg might, on paper, be the biggest favorite for the overall win as well as the European and Dutch titles.
Outsiders lying in wait
Just like in the men’s race, there are also dangerous outsiders among the women who will do everything to be at their best and secure a maximum result: keep an eye on Germany’s Denise Hiemann and Margrit Elfers, Spain’s Carolina Laurentiu Granca, and Czechia’s Barbora Besperát.
The European Championship and Dutch Championship Long Distance (3.8-kilometer swim, 180-kilometer bike, and 42.2-kilometer run) take place on Saturday, September 12. The elite women start at 7:10 AM, and the elite men at 7:25 AM. The start takes place at the Esplanade in Almere-Stad, where athletes dive into the Weerwater for their swim leg. The finish is expected around 7:30 hours (for the men) later, also at the Esplanade. For the women, a finish time of around 8:45 hours is expected.
45th edition, side-events, marathon, fireworks show, and livestream
Challenge Almere-Amsterdam is celebrating its 45th edition this year, drawing a record-breaking field of over 4,500 participants. The event kicks off on Thursday, September 10 with the Junior Challenge, RABO Business Relay, and Family Relay, while the Senior & No-Limit Challenge and Medi-Mere Kids Run take place on Friday, September 11. On Saturday, September 12, the European Long Distance Championship starts alongside the Open Series and the ever-popular Middle Distance. Additionally, a TriTogether and Aquabike are on the program, as well as the newly introduced Challenge Almere-Amsterdam Marathon, which starts at 5:00 PM and follows the same running route as the triathlon. To celebrate the anniversary, the event will conclude with a fireworks show.
The race will be broadcast live on YouTube, as well as via national television and triathlon website Triathlon Today (www.tri-today.com).
