With just a week and a half to go until the European Championship Long Distance at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam, one thing is already clear: the professional athletes are eager to deliver their very best. The stakes are high, the competition fierce, and all signs point to blisteringly fast times on race day.
The European Championship Long Distance kicks off on Saturday, September 13, with the women’s race starting at 7:10 AM, followed by the men at 7:25 AM. Among the men, Dutchman Tristan Olij is one of the clear favorites. Racing on home soil, he’s not shy about stating his ambitions – not only to win the race but also to break the course record. That record, set in 2023 by Menno Koolhaas (7:36:36), is proof that Challenge Almere-Amsterdam ranks among the top ten fastest Long Distance triathlons in the world.
Fierce Competition: Expect a Fast-Paced Start
Olij will face stiff competition, particularly from the likes of Ognjen Stojanovic, Robert Kallin, and Will Draper. Kallin is expected to set a punishing pace early on. The Swede is known as one of the fastest bikers on the pro circuit and may well target the bike course record – currently held by American Andrew Starykowicz, who clocked an incredible 4:02:12 in 2023. If Kallin comes close to or even surpasses that time, he’ll be laying a solid foundation for a potential podium finish.
Draper’s Long Distance Debut
Also drawing attention is Britain’s Will Draper. Young, hungry, and coming off a strong season with multiple podiums and victories – including a dominant performance at Challenge Samarkand two weeks ago – Draper is now set to make his debut over the full distance: 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, and 42.2 km run. He’ll need to race smart, resist the urge to follow faster veterans too closely, and test his own limits. But there’s no doubt: Draper is among the top contenders for the European title.
Veteran Experience: Stojanovic a Serious Threat
Serbian athlete Ognjen Stojanovic may be the most experienced competitor in the men’s field and is capable of pulling off a surprise. The top-ranked triathlete in his country, Stojanovic is known for his strong swim and equally powerful run. While he had to withdraw from Challenge Roth earlier this season, he’s previously stood on the podium at events like Challenge Cesenatico, Challenge Mogan-Gran Canaria, and Challenge Samarkand. He’ll be hungry for another big result.
Can the Dark Horses Deliver?
Several dangerous outsiders could shake things up – chief among them is Dutchman Pim van Diemen, who raced near the front for much of last year’s Challenge Almere-Amsterdam before fading in the closing stages. Other names to watch include Milan Brons, Lukas Kocar, and Mikel Ugarte Ramos, all capable of impressive performances on a good day.
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Three Top Contenders in the Women’s Field – Els Visser Leads the Pack
On the women’s side, three clear favorites emerge: Els Visser (The Netherlands), Marta Lagownik (Poland), and Daisy Davies (UK). All three are prominent names in the triathlon world and all are laser-focused on taking the win.
Visser is no stranger to Almere – she claimed victory and the European title here in 2023. Though she was forced to skip the event last year, she made sure to include it in her 2025 race schedule. Visser is expected to fall behind slightly during the swim but will be aiming to limit the damage and mount a formidable comeback during the bike and run. Whether that comeback will be enough will only be revealed at the finish line.
Lagownik and Davies: Debuting in Top Form
Both Marta Lagownik and Daisy Davies will be racing their first-ever Long Distance triathlon in Almere, just like Draper on the men’s side. Despite the lack of long-course experience, both athletes are in excellent shape and more than capable of causing an upset.
Lagownik, who finished second at this year’s Long Distance World Championships over the O3 distance (roughly two-thirds of a full distance), has had a stellar season with four podium finishes and two wins – including Challenge Mogan-Gran Canaria.
The same goes for Davies, who claimed victories last year at Challenge Wales and Challenge Vieux Boucau, and has already stood on multiple podiums this season, including Challenge Mogan-Gran Canaria and, maybe even more impressively, Challenge Family The Championship. The women’s course record, held by Marlene de Boer (8:22:30), sets a high bar – making this one of the fastest races in the world for women, too.
Other strong contenders include Simona Krivánková (Czech Republic), Gabriele Maria Obmann (Austria), and Vanessa Pereira (Portugal) – all seen as dangerous outsiders.
Milestone Achievement – Chris Buijtenhuijs Aims for 35th Finish
Challenge Almere-Amsterdam, now in its 44th edition, is the oldest Long Distance triathlon in Europe and the second-oldest in the world. This year’s event will see a special milestone for Dutch Age Group athlete Chris Buijtenhuijs, who has started and finished the race an incredible 34 times. He’s back at the start line once again, aiming for his 35th consecutive finish – a moment sure to earn him a hero’s welcome at the finish line.
Side Events and Full Weekend Program
Alongside the European Championship Long Distance, Challenge Almere-Amsterdam offers a full weekend of side events, including the Open Series Long Distance, Middle Distance, Recruit-a-Student Junior Challenge, RABO Business Relay, Family Relay, Breach Student Relay, Senior & No-Limit Challenge, and the Kids Run. Around 3,250 athletes are expected to compete over the course of the weekend.
Challenge Almere-Amsterdam takes place from September 11 to 13.
