The events I won't miss in the Netherlands: my bike, run and triathlon highlights

Every year there are a handful of events I won't miss. These are mine, all in the Netherlands, sorted by sport. If you're planning your season, they're all in the events calendar, along with the big international races.

Swim

No pick here yet. If open water is your thing, the Amsterdam City Swim through the canals is in the calendar.

Bike: Jumbo op de Pedalen

Great organisation, you get an awesome cycling shirt, and there's AMACX nutrition all the way round.

Jumbo op de Pedalen is a 100 km supported tour through the villages and countryside around Veghel, starting and finishing at the Jumbo head office. It began in 2021, the year Jumbo turned 100, and 2,082 riders started the 2026 edition. The next one is on Sunday 26 September 2027.

If you're riding something long, the carb and fuelling planner works out what to eat and drink per hour, and the tyre pressure tool gets your tyres right for the day.

Run: Damloop by Night

There is nothing like it. Such a vibe, with all the lights and so many people out enjoying it.

The Damloop by Night is 8 km (5 miles) through the lit-up streets of Zaandam, on the evening before the Dam tot Damloop, with room for up to 15,000 runners. It's usually in September.

Run: 10 van Noordwijk

The amount of people makes it incredible.

The 10 van Noordwijk has a 10 km and a 5 km. It starts on the boulevard and runs through the dunes with views of the sea, usually in July.

Triathlon: DTS Zandvoort

Nothing like it: you get to race on the F1 track. The DTS Grand Prix Zandvoort starts with a swim in the sea, then you ride and run on Circuit Zandvoort itself. I've written more about it, and about the new DTS middle distance, in DTS Zandvoort: race a triathlon on an F1 track.

Challenge Almere-Amsterdam was also good.

And IRONMAN? I haven't been able to get a place at the IRONMAN races in the Netherlands. They sell out too quickly. The good news is that DTS now has a middle distance, at a fraction of the cost. There's no better value for money.

Plan your season

• The events calendar lists triathlons, sportives, runs and swims across the UK and Europe, with a link to every organiser.
• Race time and pacing estimates your finish and splits for any distance.
• Need kit for race season? The Shop has the best current prices from the shops we check every day.

See you at the start line.

Brian