Long Distance & Middle Distance
During the Aquabike, triathletes complete a Long Distance or Middle Distance, but the run is skipped. That means athletes doing the Long Distance Aquabike, will swim a total of 3.8 kilometers and bike 180 kilometers. After they put their bike back in T2, they only have to run about 100 meters before crossing the finish line. For athletes competing in the Middle Distance Aquabike, the distances are 1.9 kilometers of swimming and 90 kilometers of biking.
Zone3 Swimcourse
2 laps of 1,9km / 1 lap of 1,9km
CHALLENGEALMERE-AMSTERDAM starts with two swim laps of 1,9 kilometers in the Weerwater (blue line, participants of the Middle Distance cover 1 lap). The start is next to the Theater Almere on the Esplanade in Almere Stad. You will swim clockwise. The first transition from swimming to the bike takes place on the Esplanade.
94% of the participants think the swim course is (very) good!
Bike
A 2-lap structure / 1 lap
The bike course of the CHALLENGEALMERE-AMSTERDAM Long Distance triathlon has a 2-lap structure (*Middle Distance athletes complete one round – 96km). A connecting road takes you alongside the lake Weerwater and through the woods of Almere Haven. Once arrived at the dike, the first lap starts in westward direction. For about 45 km (until you’ve reached Flevoland’s capital Lelystad) there will be water on you’re left-hand side. On clear days, this passage will provide a spectacular view of Amsterdam at the other side of the IJmeer. At your right side you will pass the Oostvaardersplassen, a wildlife reserve containing numerous animal species. At the roundabout in Lelystad you turn right to cross the polder while cruising on the reclaimed land below sea-level. From there it’s all about straight roads, wind, and the elements in the polder. A bridge will take you to the Zeewolde territory.
After reaching the dike again there’s an important choice to make. Participants of the Middle Distance triathlon will turn right towards Transition 2, as do participants in the Challenge Long Distance after lap 2. After lap one the Challenge Long Distance athletes go straight on to a second lap of dike and polder.
The Long Distance athletes have, both laps a small out-and-back tour through Almere that will take the athletes to the Southside of the Weerwater. This location can easily be reached by supporters or coaches, bus, or bike. After finishing lap 2 and returning to Almere, also the second transition will take place on the Esplanade in Almere Stad.
90% of the participants think the bike course is (very) good!
Download GPX-file of the Bike Course:(only accessible on race day!) ZIP
Run
6 laps of 7km / 3 laps of 7km
From the Esplanade, you start your running course through the modern architecture of the city centre. The centre of attention is the green area around the Weerwater, the lake in the middle of Almere that once was a sea. The running course consists of six laps to be completed before finishing on the Esplanade (three laps for the Middle Distance).
94% of the participants say the run course is (very) good!
Download GPX-file of the run course – ZIP
