Twenty years ago, Denmark’s Jens Koefoed etched his name into triathlon history on the iconic dikes of Almere. Winning the 2006 Holland Triathlon (now Challenge Almere-Amsterdam) and claiming the European title was a pivotal moment in his career. Two decades later, Koefoed is returning to The Netherlands – this time not as an elite athlete, but as an Age Grouper, sharing the starting line with his family.
Looking back, the road to that unforgettable victory in 2006 was anything but smooth. Entering the race, Koefoed was coming off an injury – a nasty cut on his foot that required stitches and kept him from running for nearly six weeks. He knew his overall fitness was solid, but his running form remained a complete wild card. On race day, early setbacks continued to stack up: he lost time during the swim and felt terrible during the opening kilometers of the bike leg.
Determined to contribute to the race, Koefoed made a tactical decision: he would move to the front to keep the tempo high for his teammates. What happened next was pure magic. He instantly gapped the group, his legs woke up, and he found himself experiencing the kind of race every triathlete dreams of. The miles flew by effortlessly. He entered T2 with a four-to-five-minute lead and started the run conservatively.
Almost half way of the run, his lead had almost evaporated. It was precisely at that moment he lapped his wife, Tine, who was also competing in the race. After a quick exchange of words, Koefoed decided to put everything on the line. His legs responded to the increased pace, and he ran away to a historic victory.
“I was so elated,” Koefoed recalls. “I was never a big talent in the sport, just hard working and living my dream loving the sport, and now I was European champion, it was unbelievable and I was bubbling with emotions. Actually it was quite a day as my wife was the fastest age-grouper and European champion as well.”
To this day, the victory holds a special place in his heart. “To be honest I have a picture from the finish line in the basement where I train, and it still gives me chills when I look at it and the mind returns to that day in 2006.”
Taming the Winds of Almere
Triathletes often talk about Almere’s profile, with many incorrectly assuming the flat course makes for an easy race. However, as Koefoed points out, flat terrain presents its own unique brutality.
“First of all – a Long Distance is never easy!” Koefoed emphasizes. “But what you don’t have in hills in Almere you (can) have in wind. The wind can be brutal and what can make it hard is also that when it is so flat, you need to stay in your aero position all the time, which can be very hard on your lower back and hamstrings.”
Reflecting on his winning day – which was held over the ITU distance featuring a 120 km bike leg – he recalls being relatively unfazed by the conditions. Coming from Denmark, flat roads and heavy winds were second nature. Combined with the dream day he was having, he thoroughly enjoyed every kilometer on the bike.
Life After the Title and the Transition to Age-Group Racing
The aftermath of his European Championship win brought significant media attention both locally and nationally in Denmark. While Koefoed was never one to seek out the spotlight, the result gave him a newfound confidence in his abilities. He delivered several strong performances following the race, but a major life milestone soon shifted his perspective: in 2007, he became a father for the first time.
Koefoed retired from elite racing in 2008 at the age of 34, choosing to prioritize his growing family. However, stepping away from the sport entirely was never an option.
“I’m one of those persons who simply love training and love the sport of triathlon, so stopping was never an option,” Koefoed explains. Because both he and his wife remained passionate triathletes, they eventually transitioned into Age-Group racing together. To balance family life and training, they adopted a system where they took turns: one year, one spouse would focus more heavily on race goals while the other took the lead on family responsibilities. The strategy proved highly successful, allowing both to enjoy rewarding experiences as Age Groupers.
A Family Affair 20 Years in the Making
Returning to Almere has been on Koefoed’s radar for a long time. Recognised as one of Europe’s most iconic races with the richest history, it remained a high-priority bucket-list event. He originally planned to return in 2021, but running injuries sidelined those plans.
Marking the 20th anniversary of his 2006 victory makes this year’s return particularly fitting – and even more special because it has become a full family affair. His son, who has taken up triathlon, will be racing the half distance in Almere alongside Koefoed’s wife, Tine.
Crossing the threshold back into Almere will undoubtedly bring a wave of emotion. “Of course it will be emotional because it was a defining moment of my sporting career in 2006, and I always thought I’d return,” Koefoed says. “Now it is 20 years ago and I’m blessed that my family is here and competing. I will for sure think back on what was a memorable day on the dikes in 2006 and hope for a great day and celebration at the finish line.”
While Koefoed approaches the race with a spirit of celebration, his competitive nature remains intact. He isn’t focusing on overall ranking or his fellow competitors, but he has set clear target times for himself: a dream finish of sub-9:15, broken down into a 1-hour swim, a 4:45 bike split, and a 3:30 marathon.
Words of Wisdom for Fellow Competitors
With nearly 35 years of experience in triathlon, Koefoed offers invaluable advice for the thousands of athletes taking on the course in Almere, distilled into three core principles:
- Enjoy the process and involve your support system: Lon Distance triathlon requires a massive time commitment. “Enjoy the process of training and let your family and friends into the project, because it will take a lot of your time. Let your surroundings know why this is important to you and why you use so much time. It will make them understand much better… Enjoy it when you are out, don’t let it all be Watts, splits, and PRs.”
- Prepare for the inevitable lows: Race day will always bring tough moments. “On race day be prepared for the lows – they will come. Have a plan on how to cope. Everyone will have a bad patch but if you have a strategy to get through you will get through.”
- Savor the moment and stick to the plan: “Enjoy the day and sometimes look away from your Garmin. You have trained for it for a very long time, so take some time to enjoy that you made it to the start line. And smile to the crowds – it will make them cheer even more.”
For every Age Grouper heading to the starting line, Koefoed leaves them with a guiding mantra: “Plan your race – race your plan.” Most athletes are out there competing against themselves, not others – and executing a well-thought-out plan is the true key to success.
