For the 2024 edition, several important changes have been implemented in the Triathlon course.
Bjorn van Beek, safety coordinator and organizer at the Triathlon Holten, talks about the changes and what this means for the spectators and participants.
Bjorn works in the events industry. “At the time, I was working with Hendri Markvoort, and he approached me asking if I wanted to help professionalize the Triathlon from my field. Since then, I have been active in various areas for the Triathlon Holten, in the broadest sense of the word. I enjoy the puzzle; how do we ensure that the Triathlon becomes more beautiful, efficient, and better each year? That’s what I love working on,” he says enthusiastically.
The route of the course for the business triathlon has been renewed for this edition. “In the first and second rounds, participants turn right onto the Kwintenweg. They then return to the Beusebergerweg via the Langstraat. Where participants in previous editions went straight towards the village here, they now make a small detour via the Lambooijsweg and the Fliermatenweg. Due to the relocation of the transition zone, the course had to be adjusted because otherwise the distances would become too large,” Bjorn explains.
Transition zone from 2024 at the Kandelaar
The well-known transition zone in the Industriestraat will largely be a thing of the past from 2024. “For the elite and junior athletes, the situation remains unchanged; they still change in the Industriestraat. A new solution was needed for the other categories, which always changed on the grass field in the Industriestraat, due to the upcoming construction there,” according to Bjorn.
The solution? Splitting the transition zones. First division teams change at ‘Boer Biets weide’, all other teams change at the new zone at the Kandelaar. “Participants drive onto the parking lot at the lower side of the Kandelaar and then leave the transition zone again via the path next to the Biester.”
Station area as new entrance
“The big advantage of this is that the registration point and registration (now on the station side of the parking lot) are much closer. We wanted to make the transition zone and registration point more part of the event for a long time, and now we’ve achieved that. The station area now becomes the ‘entrance’ to the Triathlon Holten. Among other things, there will be an info stand, visitors can come by train or park their cars at the Beukenlaantje. And for everyone who loves a good bite to eat; the hospitality in the village and on the Holterberg remains accessible via a separate diversion route,” Bjorn winks.
Adjustment to the running course
The new location of the transition zone also causes one change in the running course. “The Industriestraat has been removed from the course. To ensure the distance is correct again, participants now run through a ‘short cut’ via ‘Boer Biets weide’.”
All changes in the course are indicated on the maps in the newspaper. The course can also be viewed via this link . Be sure to check it out and avoid getting surprised during the Triathlon Holten!
