Almere is the home of Dutch triathlon and Europe's oldest long distance race.

It also held the first European Championships in 1985, hosting it again in 1991, 1999 and 2006 to cement its place as one of Europe's leading triathlon venues.

Challenge Almere-Amsterdam will become the third Challenge Family race to host the Championships following in the footsteps of Challenge Roth and Challenge Vichy since the partnership between ETU and the Challenge Family began in 2012.

"I am happy to confirm that our Executive Board has decided to continue working with Challenge in the long distance events," said Renato Bertrandi, President of the ETU.

"We have had positive results over the last two years and we confirm the successful partnership for the next seasons.

"I am extremely happy that the European Long Distance Championship will be held
in Almere, a well known venue to all our European Long Distance athletes.

"I am sure that the local organiser will create a great event.

"See you all there!"

Challenge Almere-Amsterdam is the home of Dutch triathlon with Holland Triathlon boosting the record as the second oldest triathlon in the world behind Hawaii ©Getty Images



Although seen as an old venue in triathlon, the race itself has been given a facelift in recent years, with the 30th anniversary of the race seeing the start and finish moved to Almere's new city centre in 2012.

This will give athletes a new feel to an old race when they travel to the city - located just 25 kilometres from Amsterdam - on September 13, 2014, for the official ETU European Long Distance Triathlon Championships.

"We are delighted to continue our partnership with ETU into 2014 together with Challenge Almere-Amsterdam," said Felix Walchshöfer, chief executive of the Challenge Family.

"For us, this partnership reflects our commitment to working together with the sport's governing bodies to ensure triathlon continues to enjoy a strong and healthy future.

"It's an honour to see, nearly thirty years after the inaugural event, the European Championships returning to their birthplace in Almere under the Challenge banner."