Glenn ten Berge, Lieke Smale, Stefan Pekkeriet and Marieke Bosman can call themselves the fastest residents of Holten for a year. During the 36th edition of the Triathlon Holten, the triathletes claimed victory in the local championship competition.
That Glenn ten Berge crowned himself Holten champion in the eighth triathlon came somewhat as a surprise. The Holten resident had signed up for the race in his hometown at the last minute. “I was supposed to compete in a first division race in Stein on Sunday, but we have two COVID-19 cases in our team. On Thursday I heard that we wouldn’t be participating. I then asked if I could still register for the race in Holten. I only knew less than 48 hours ago that I would be competing.”
Ten Berge had also just returned from a vacation in Mexico. “Three weeks ago I last participated in a competition. That was also the last time I touched a bike. During the cycling part, I got cramps in my legs. When I started the running segment, I first stretched at a fence. After that, it was about cooling down and just continuing.”
Among the women, Lieke Smale claimed the title of fastest Holten resident in the eighth triathlon. That was also the goal of the Holten triathlete. “It had to happen this year,” Smale said. “I’m moving to Deventer, so next year I won’t be a Holten resident. That’s why I went full steam this year. I’m satisfied.”
Stefan Pekkeriet can also call himself the fastest Holten resident for another year. Pekkeriet crowned himself Holten champion in the eighth triathlon edition of 2019 and replicated that achievement three years later. This time, the Holten triathlete claimed the title in the Olympic Distance.
“I didn’t expect it but had hoped,” said Pekkeriet after his winning race. “If I had a good day, it was possible.” Pekkeriet certainly had a good day, despite not being satisfied with the swimming segment. “But the cycling went incredibly fast and after cycling, I was first. When I was still first after three laps, I knew I had to jog the triathlon calmly.”
Marieke Bosman also claimed victory in the competition for the local championship. For the freshly crowned Holten champion, her victory came as a surprise. “This was my very first triathlon,” said Bosman. “I didn’t see this coming. Last weekend I was at the swimming pool and cycled the course with my boyfriend. He also showed me the finer points. That was incredibly valuable. And it certainly helped.”
Results eighth triathlon men:
1. Ingmar Neple – Goor – 01:06:30
2. Roy Hoeijmakers – Melderslo – 01:13:29
3. Jan Hummelink – Amsterdam – 01:15:39
Results eighth triathlon women:
1. Ayla Stobbe – Almere – 01:19:51
2. Rian Beldman – Deventer – 01:25:49
3. Ashely Groothuis – Utrecht – 01:26:44
Results eighth triathlon Holten championship men:
1. Glenn ten Berge – 01:09:33
2. Edwin Bolink – 1:11:45
3. Hugo Overmeen – 01:13:42
Results eighth triathlon Holten championship women:
1. Lieke Smale – 01:22:26
2. Nienke Ensink – 01:22:38
3. Leonie Bouwmeester – 01:22:53
Results Olympic Distance men:
1. Niels Esmeijer – Soest – 02:07:51
2. Sander Hoogeveen – Hoogeveen – 02:07:57
3. Rick Marsman – Amsterdam – 02:13:29
Results Olympic Distance women:
1. Mariël Borgerink – Nijverdal – 02:25:31
2. Marije Dankelman – Arrien – 02:28:38
3. Lieke Hegeman – Wilp (Gld) – 02:30:16
Results Olympic Distance Holten championship men:
1. Stefan Pekkeriet – 02:23:09
2. Andy de Jong – 02:26:36
3. Jorn Jansman – 02:30:06
Results Olympic Distance Holten championship women:
1. Marieke Bosman – 03:05:29
2. Lara Koenis – 03:06:00
3. Naomi Roepers – 03:16:28
