Gelreman

Elst, Netherlands · August · Independent

Why people love it

No independent athlete reviews found, so expect little outside feedback
Open dikes likely mean wind on the four 45 km (28 mi) bike loops; road closure unconfirmed
Lap format: 4 bike laps and 6 run laps of 7 km (4.3 mi)

3.5Good

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 satisfactionLoved3.6
No independent athlete reviews found. The seventh edition in 2026 had 197 full finishers, and the loop design was reworked after participant feedback. · Low confidence
OrganizationWell run3.7
Seven editions and about 250 volunteers. Finisher shirt, personalised medal, massage and hot food are included. No problems reported, but few reviews exist either way. · Low confidence
First timer friendlyFriendly3.7
Flat and low, with a generous 15 h limit. Repeated 45 km (28 mi) bike loops and 7 km (4.3 mi) run loops suit first-timers. · Low confidence

PR potentialFast4.3
Flat at roughly 150 m (490 ft) of bike climbing, but open dikes and many laps keep it behind Roth or Hamburg. · Medium confidence
Course easeModerate4.2
An essentially flat 180 km (112 mi) bike and 42.2 km (26.2 mi) run near sea level. Wind and the lap count are the challenge. · Medium confidence

3.9Very good

Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.

Wetsuit legalUsually3.9
Late-August Dutch lakes run 19-22 °C (66-72 °F), usually under the 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) limit. A warm summer could change that. · Low confidence
Water temperatureComfortable4.3
Late-August lake water is likely 19-22 °C (66-72 °F), comfortable for most. No measurements found. · Low confidence
Calm waterMostly calm4.3
A sheltered gravel-pit lake (Rijkerswoerdse plas) with no chop reported, though a lake in open polder can ripple in wind. · Low confidence
Swim easeEasy4.0
Two 1.9 km (1.2 mi) laps with yellow buoys, kayak and lifeguard cover. The organiser describes clear water. · Low confidence
Swim experienceGreat3.6
Clear water and good safety cover per the organiser. A plain recreational lake without much spectacle. · Low confidence

3.1Good

Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.

Road surfaceGood3.8
The organiser says the surface is smooth on cycle paths and dikes. No athlete has confirmed it. · Low confidence
Road closuresPartly closed2.8
Low-traffic cycle paths and dikes, but the organiser does not confirm full closure. · Low confidence
Bike sceneryPleasant3.2
River dikes and polder, pleasant rather than dramatic. · Low confidence
WindSome wind2.6
The open dike landscape between the Rijn and Waal is exposed. Dutch polder wind is the main variable, though the organiser does not mention it. · Low confidence

Bike speedFast4.4
About 150 m (490 ft) of climbing over 180 km (112 mi) on smooth paths and dikes. Turns and four laps cost some speed. · Medium confidence
Bike flatnessPancake flat4.8
About 37 m (121 ft) of climbing per 45 km (28 mi) loop, roughly 150 m (490 ft) overall. Very flat. · High confidence
Bike simplicityMostly simple3.6
Cycle paths and dikes with some bends and junctions across four laps. No technical descents. · Low confidence

3.4Good

Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.

Crowd supportDecent2.6
About 200 full finishers on a park loop. Expect local supporters but no big crowds. · Low confidence
Aid stationsGood3.7
About 250 volunteers and four aid stations on the 7 km (4.3 mi) run loop, one roughly every 1.75 km (1.1 mi). · Low confidence
Run sceneryPleasant3.4
Park Lingezegen is a pleasant nature park, though you run it six times. · Low confidence
Run conditionsEasy4.1
Flat 7 km (4.3 mi) park loops with frequent aid. Six laps and late-August warmth are the mental load. · Low confidence

Run flatnessFlat4.8
The organiser describes the Park Lingezegen run as flat with only a few metres of climbing. · Medium confidence

3.9Very good

Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.

Air temperaturePleasant4.4
Late-August Dutch highs of about 20-24 °C (68-75 °F) with moderate humidity. A heatwave is possible. · Low confidence
Weather reliabilityVariable3.0
Maritime climate, so showers and wind are possible. No cancellations known. · Low confidence
Venue beautyPleasant3.2
A pleasant park and lake setting, but not scenic in the headline sense. · Low confidence
Spectator friendlyEasy4.0
Four bike loops and six run loops around one venue make viewing easy. · Low confidence

Low altitudeSea level5.0
Gelderland river lowland, about 10 m (33 ft) above sea level. · High confidence

4.2Very good

Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.

Hotel availabilityGood4.0
Arnhem and Nijmegen are both within about 10-15 km (6-9 mi), with plenty of rooms. · Low confidence
Hotel valueGood3.7
Dutch mid-range pricing in Arnhem and Nijmegen. No race-week price reports found. · Low confidence
WalkabilitySome driving3.4
Free parking is within walking distance of the start and finish. Most hotels are a short drive away in Arnhem or Nijmegen. · Low confidence
Travel easeEasy3.9
Schiphol is about 100 km (62 mi) away, with direct trains to Arnhem or Nijmegen and a short local trip after. · Low confidence
LogisticsSimple4.3
One venue, free parking, loop courses and a single transition area, per the organiser. · Low confidence
Town and foodFine3.4
Elst is small, but Arnhem and Nijmegen offer plenty nearby. · Low confidence

Location: Elst, Gelderland, Netherlands
Typical month: August
Latest or next date: 28 August 2027
Organiser: Independent
Field size: About 847 athletes
Distances: 3.8 km (2.4 mi) swim, 180 km (112 mi) bike, 42.2 km (26.2 mi) run
Cutoffs: Finish 15:00 (07:00 start, 22:00 cut-off)
Swim venue: Rijkerswoerdse plas, Elst (lake)
Swim laps: 2
Bike laps: 4
Run laps: 6
Where to stay: Elst, Arnhem, Nijmegen
Booking: Free parking within walking distance of start/finish; pasta party Friday evening. Organizer has a /info/verblijf page (not read).

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