Challenge Almere-Amsterdam (Middle Distance)
Almere, Netherlands · September · Challenge Family
Not a standard 70.3. This course is 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 94 km (58 mi) bike, 21.1 km (13.1 mi) run, not the usual 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 90 km (56 mi) bike, 21.1 km (13.1 mi) run. Bike is 94 km (58 mi), longer than a standard half.
Why people love it
- Flat, fast single-loop polder bike
- Swim in the sheltered Weerwater lake at about 19 °C (66 °F)
- Schiphol is 40 km (25 mi) away with direct bus and train
- Compact city-centre swim and run area
Watch out for
- No first-hand reports from the middle distance
- Wind on the open polder roads
- The 94 km (58 mi) bike is longer than a standard 90 km (56 mi)
- T2 layout is not confirmed; September weather varies
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 27% of the overall score.
- Racer satisfactionLoved3.5
The middle distance is a side event to the long-distance European championship, and we found no athlete reports for it. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.8
A large, established Challenge event with about 4,000 athletes across races; nothing specific on the middle distance. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly3.8
Flat, mild and close to Schiphol, but the polder wind and unknown transition layout add uncertainty. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast4.0
Flat single-loop polder bike, but wind and a 94 km (58 mi) bike make times not directly comparable with a standard half. · Low confidence
- Course easeModerate4.0
Flat polder bike and run; wind is the main challenge. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalUsually4.4
Organiser average water is 19 °C (66 °F), well under the 24.5 °C (76 °F) limit. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureComfortable4.3
Water of about 19 °C (66 °F) is in the comfortable range for a wetsuit swim. · Low confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm4.2
Counterclockwise lake swim in the Weerwater, so there is no current, but open water can still catch wind. · Low confidence
- Swim easeEasy4.2
One loop from beside the Esplanade with a simple counterclockwise layout. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat3.7
City-centre lake start beside the Esplanade; no athlete comments. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceGood4.1
Dutch polder roads and dikes; surface quality not described in detail. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed3.7
Large event; closure extent is not documented. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryPleasant3.0
Flat polder, dikes and some woods. · Low confidence
- WindSome wind2.7
Open polder with an organiser average of 13.5 km (8.4 mi)/h (8 mph) and a tagline that names the wind. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedFast4.1
Flat single-loop polder course, but wind exposure is the main variable. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessPancake flat4.8
Flat polder roads, dikes and woods on a 94 km (58 mi) loop. · Low confidence
- Bike simplicityMostly simple4.0
Single loop with few turns on polder roads. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong3.7
City-centre run laps with spectators; no athlete comments for the middle distance. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.6
No athlete comments on aid. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryPleasant3.2
Urban laps around the city centre and lake. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsEasy4.4
Flat laps in mild September temperatures. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessFlat4.8
Two laps of 10.1 km (6.3 mi) from Lumierepark. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant4.3
Organiser average of 18 °C (64 °F) in September. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.0
September Dutch weather varies, and wind and rain are possible. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyPleasant3.0
City-centre lake setting; practical rather than scenic. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy4.1
Compact swim and run area in the city centre. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level5.0
Below sea level polder. · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.5
Hotels and campsites in Almere, but the whole event draws about 4,000 athletes. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.3
No price data found. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable4.2
Swim and run areas are in the city centre, with hotels in Almere Stad. · Low confidence
- Travel easeVery easy4.5
Schiphol is 40 km (25 mi) away with direct bus and train. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSome complexity3.3
Swim, bike and run are in one city, but T2 layout is unconfirmed. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood3.8
City-centre restaurants in Almere, with Amsterdam nearby; no athlete comments. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands
- Typical month
- September
- Latest or next date
- 11 September 2027
- Organiser
- Challenge Family
- Distances (non-standard)
- 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 94 km (58 mi) bike, 21.1 km (13.1 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Weerwater, Almere Stad (lake)
- Water temperature
- 19 °C (66 °F)
- Swim laps
- 1
- Bike laps
- 1
- Run laps
- 2
- Air temperature
- 18 °C (64 °F)
- Altitude
- 0 m (0 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), 40 km (25 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Almere Stad centre
- Booking
- Hotels and campsites in Almere; official partner Tri Travel.
What racers and reviewers say
- Challenge Family race pageRaced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
Official middle-distance data: 1.9 km (1.2 mi) counterclockwise swim in the Weerwater from the Esplanade, 94 km (58 mi) single-lap flat polder bike, 2 run laps of 10.1 km (6.3 mi). Averages 19 °C (66 °F) water, 18 °C (64 °F) air, 13.5 km (8.4 mi)/h (8 mph) wind; Schiphol 40 km (25 mi) away.
“the only rivals are the winds and yourself”
- TRI247 race guide (search excerpt)Raced 2025 · article · Positive
Guide by a triathlete who raced the long distance in 2023, covering the middle distance, long distance and aquabike. Describes a flat Dutch landscape on former Zuiderzee seabed. Page blocked, so only the excerpt was read.
- Challenge Family: 2026 60% sold outRaced 2026 · article · Positive
Event of about 4,000 athletes across races is 60% claimed months ahead; middle distance listed as a side event with no specific figures.
- Finishers listingRaced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
Listing for the middle-distance option (Triathlon L): 1.9 km (1.2 mi) swim, 94 km (58 mi) bike, 21.1 km (13.1 mi) run on a Saturday in mid September. No participant reviews.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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