Triathlon Brabantse Wal
Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands · May · Independent
Course: 1 km (0.6 mi) swim, 40 km (24.9 mi) bike, 10 km (6.2 mi) run. Quarter distance: 1 km (0.62 mi) / 40 km (24.9 mi) / 10 km (6.2 mi)
Why people love it
- Olympic-class race is a quarter: 1 km (0.62 mi) swim, 40 km (24.9 mi) bike, 10 km (6.2 mi) run
- Lake swim out and back in the Binnenschelde, with clear water in 2026
- Run finishes at the De Waterschans fortress
- Friday race with an 08:30 start, plus a sprint with a 500 m (547 yd) swim
Watch out for
- Cold water: 12 to 16 °C (54 to 61 °F) in April and May 2026
- Many punctures from stones on the bike route in 2026
- One racer counted only two safety boats on the swim, and marshals were missing in places
- Aid stations were the lowest-scored part of the race
- Wrong turns were reported on the bike
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 30% of the overall score.
Toughness: Tough
- Racer satisfactionLoved3.7
Racecheck shows 4.16 out of 5 from 38 reviews. Racers like the atmosphere and would return, but punctures, wrong turns and a cold swim hurt. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationAdequate3.4
Pre-race communication and staff score well. Missing marshals, wrong turns, a stony bike route and weak aid stations pull it down. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyDoable2.8
Cold open water at 12 to 16 °C (54 to 61 °F), limited boats and a stony 40 km (24.9 mi) bike. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAverage3.2
Flat and fast per racers, but punctures cost time. The swim is only 1 km (0.62 mi), shorter than a standard Olympic. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalAlmost always4.7
Water was 12 to 16 °C (54 to 61 °F) in April and May 2026, far below the 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) limit. · Medium confidence
- Water temperatureUncomfortable2.2
Cold: 15.7 °C (60 °F) in late April 2026 and 12 °C (54 °F) on race day. · Medium confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm3.8
Recreational lake. No reviewer mentioned chop. · Low confidence
- Swim easeEasy3.5
Out and back. One racer says the nearest boat was up to 500 m (550 yd) away on the 1 km (0.62 mi) swim. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat3.9
Water quality scores 4.42 out of 5 from 26 ratings and the water board approved the lake in 2026. The cold dampens it. · Medium confidence
- Swim supportStandard2.7
One 2026 racer counted only two safety boats on the swim. A pool-swim option existed for 2026. · Medium confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfacePatchy2.0
Two racers punctured twice each on stones in 2026, and many riders had flats. · Medium confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed2.5
Marshal coverage was uneven. The shared bike path also carries walkers and wildlife. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful3.8
Brabantse Wal ridge and dykes per the organiser, with an urban and nature mix. · Low confidence
- WindSome wind2.8
Exposed polder and dyke country, usually breezy. Reviewers did not mention wind. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedAverage3.4
Flat per most reviewers, but many punctures on stony path sections in 2026. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessMostly flat4.0
Most reviewers call it flat, but the organiser mentions dykes and hilly parts. Climbing is not published. · Low confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts3.0
Marshals were missing at times, one leader took wrong turns, and the path is shared with walkers. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong3.6
2026 racers describe a great atmosphere, with a finish at the fortress. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsStandard2.8
Aid stations were the lowest-scoring item, 3.57 out of 5. · Medium confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful4.0
Historic fortress area in Bergen op Zoom, plus nature. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsEasy3.9
Run near the Molensteen with a finish at De Waterschans. No surface complaints. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessMostly flat4.3
Racers call the run flat and fast. Climbing is not published. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant3.5
Mid-May highs are usually 14 to 18 °C (57 to 64 °F), with an early 08:30 start. A racer hoped for better weather. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.0
Spring weather varies. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyLovely3.8
Lake, fortress and ridge woodland around a historic town. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy3.7
Compact race near the fortress and lake. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level5.0
Bergen op Zoom sits at about 5 m (16 ft). · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.8
Dutch border town with hotels, and Antwerp and Breda as alternatives. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood3.6
No price data found. Entry costs €50 to €60. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable3.8
Start and finish are in Bergen op Zoom, and racers rate facilities well. · Low confidence
- Travel easeEasy3.8
Direct trains from Rotterdam and Antwerp. Antwerp airport is about 40 km (25 mi) away by road. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.5
Friday race. The transition zone was extended onto the pavement and cycle path in 2026. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood4.0
Historic town with a fortress and an old centre. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Bergen op Zoom, North Brabant, Netherlands
- Typical month
- May
- Latest or next date
- 15 May 2026
- Organiser
- Independent
- Distances (non-standard)
- 1 km (0.6 mi) swim, 40 km (24.9 mi) bike, 10 km (6.2 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Binnenschelde, Bergen op Zoom (lake)
- Water temperature
- 12–16 °C (54–61 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Rule not published
- Swim start
- not described; out-and-back course
- Air temperature
- 9–18 °C (48–64 °F)
- Humidity
- moderate
- Altitude
- 5 m (16 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Antwerp (ANR), 40 km (25 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Bergen op Zoom old town
- Booking
- Distance is an approximate road estimate. Entry fees 50-60 euros (2026 announcement).
What racers and reviewers say
- Racecheck (38 reviews, English and Dutch)Raced 2026 · aggregator · Mixed
Racecheck shows 4.16 out of 5 from 38 reviews, English and Dutch, all from 2026. Of the 10 detailed ones, 6 are quarter distance and 2 sprint. Racers enjoy the atmosphere and support and would race again. Repeated problems: stones on the bike route causing many punctures, missing marshals and wrong turns, and a 12 °C (54 °F) swim with only two safety boats. Two reviews carry identical text.
“Course and support were excellent.”
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Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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