COURSE
The fastest triathlon in the Netherlands: racing on the legendary Zandvoort circuit!
OLYMPIC & SPRINT DISTANCE
swim
Olympic: 1500 meters
Sprint: 750 meter
Swimming in the North Sea rarely happens at a Dutch triathlon. It does at DTS GP ZANDVOORT!
But the North Sea can be grim and unpredictable, which is why the lifeguards are on high alert for this competition and we are keeping a close eye on the conditions.
Participants gather 30 minutes before the start of an OD wave or 20 minutes before the start of a Sprint on the boulevard at T1 for the final briefing and from there we walk 750 or 1500m to the start of the swimming event.
We always swim with the current and only find out which way that is on the day itself.
If, due to bad weather conditions or very strong wind, the waves are too high and it is irresponsible to swim, we will decide to convert the triathlon into a Run Bike Run.
We cannot make this decision other than very shortly beforehand and of course you, as a participant, can then decide not to start, but there is no right to a refund of any entry fee. This also applies to rented wetsuits, which are sent well before the competition.
Of course, our greatest wish is that the triathlon always takes place, but safety first!
BIKE
Olympic: 39 KM – 9 laps
Sprint: 22 KM – 5 laps
This is the most spectacular cycling course in the Netherlands and a bucket list for many triathletes; cycling over the Formula 1 Circuit of Zandvoort! The Circuit is exactly 4,251 KM long.
Olympic Distance 39KM:
To reach 39 KM you have to stay sharp, because you don't want to cycle one lap too many (= "slow" finish time) and certainly not one lap too few (= disqualified).
From the boulevard T1 you cycle approximately 5KM and then you have done ¾ lap of the circuit and you pass the exit to T2 for the first time. There is a time registration mat that you have to cycle over every round, so that we can measure your lap times.
From that moment on you start counting laps. You still have to cycle 8 laps, so you have to cross that line 8 more times before you are in your last cycling lap. In total you pass that line 9 times! In your 9th and final lap, you must immediately turn off after the time registration mat to the Paddock where T2 is located. You will then have cycled 39KM.
Sprint Distance 22KM:
After you have passed the time registration mat for the first time, count 4 more laps. So you will cross the finish line 5 times in total! You will then have cycled 22KM.
Tip if you do not have a bike computer: 5 or 9 elastic bands around your wrist and every time you pass the finish line, 1 comes off.
Stayer/drafting is only allowed in the special STAYER RACE. In this Stayer race, (triathlon) bikes with handlebars are not allowed!
RUN
Olympic: 2 laps 10 KM
Sprint: 1 lap 5 KM
Running is mostly on the unpaved service roads. The nice elevation changes make this a challenging course while at the same time you can enjoy the view over the circuit where your colleagues are still cycling.
2 laps of 5KM for the OD and 1 lap for the SPRINT.
The finish is at the Paddock. A heroic finish street takes you over the finish line, where you will be given a beautiful medal and can get a well-deserved free massage.
DUATHLON
A triathlon includes swimming and of course we prefer that and we are always positive. For the swimming part we have good contact with the local lifeguards. We also take into account the ebb, flow and current. Swimming is done parallel to the coastline. 1 lane of 750 meters or 1500 meters, with the current. Every 250m you see a buoy or beach flag as a landmark. Due to the rapidly changing water level (ebb & flow) we have to move the flag or buoy every now and then so that the participants always have enough depth to be able to swim well. The three different sandbanks off the coast require absolute customization during the swimming part.
We ask all participants to inform themselves well about the possible presence of dangerous rip currents and how to deal with them properly. We also discuss this in the participant information.
Our aim is always that the swimming part can take place, but the safety and health of participants is paramount. This means that if the waves in the sea are too high and/or the current too strong, we can decide, in consultation with the rescue brigade, to cancel the swimming part and replace it with an extra running part. The triathlon will then become a Run Bike Run.
We cannot make this decision other than very shortly beforehand and of course you, as a participant, can then decide not to start, but there is no right to a refund of any entry fee. This also applies to rented wetsuits, which are sent well before the competition.
