Her Majesty's Services commence battle at Hever Castle
Wednesday, 4th July 2012
The Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force are set to descend on Hever Castle on Wednesday 11th July to take part in their annual Inter Services triathlon championship. Male and female troops will be racing to the finishing line in a bespoke triathlon organised by the Markel Castle Triathlon Series who are hosting their fourth Hever Castle Triathlon in September (29/30).
The Olympic race distance will comprise of a 1500m swim in the castle, a 40km cycle route and finish with a 10km cross-country run within the scenic castle grounds.
Lieutenant Commander Ben Kadinopoulos Royal Navy is delighted with the choice of venue: “Over 100 competitors are set to take part in the 2012 Inter Services triathlon championship at Hever Castle. It is the Royal Navy’s turn to organise the event and we were looking for a location that could host the race within its own grounds. Having heard good reports of the Hever Castle Race we got in touch with the race organisers and Hever Castle who agreed. All of us are looking forward to a friendly but fiercely competitive race over the challenging course. It has been thanks to sponsorship from Babcocks and the White Ensign Association that this year’s event could take place in such a prestigious venue.”
Each military service will enter a team into the Open Male, Open Female and Veteran Male Categories. The culmination of the year’s training and development is to be selected for these teams and come in at the top of the field to score team points. The winning team will take home the coveted Inter Service Triathlon Trophy. As well as this guest services teams (Police, Fire and Prison Services) and those military personnel not selected for their representative team will also take part and compete for individual prizes.
Race Director and founder of the Hever Castle Triathlon comments: “We are privileged to have been chosen as the event to host the championship. As a former Royal Marine and Navy triathelete I know the calibre of the competitors will be high and expect some record times to be broken. Hever Castle is the perfect venue for such an event providing a stunning and challenging course. This event provides a good warm up for the 5,000 expected at our main event open to the public at the end of September.”
The Inter-services championship sits well with the Markel Castle Triathlons national Charity of the Year, Help for Heroes. Bryn Parry, Co-Founder and CEO of Help for Heroes says: “The Markel Castle Triathlon Series promises to raise a great deal of money for Help for Heroes. It is a great example of the community showing support for the Armed Forces and having a great deal of fun while they raise money for a wonderful cause.
“We have been able to use the millions raised, over £138 million in just under five years, to provide practical and direct support to those wounded in the current conflicts. The money you raise is needed, it is being used and it is hugely appreciated; sadly, we need a great deal more."
The evening of Wednesday 11th September will also welcome competitors from the public for the last of the three Evening Sprint Triathlons at Hever Castle. Elites, first timers and children (aged 8-15) can race with bespoke distances tailored for their level. For online registration and more information about the Markel Hever Castle Triathlon please visit www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk.
