The Markel Castle Triathlon Series

How does it work?

The Markel Castle Triathlon Series consists of five weekend races and two evening sprint races throughout the summer, providing an open platform for triathletes of all abilities to compete nationally. It is simple to get involved, you can enter as many of the races as you choose or take on the whole series.

Each location, Lough Cutra Castle, Cholmondeley Castle, Castle Howard, Chateau de Chantilly and Hever Castle, has its own unique variation of the distances, providing an interesting  and challenging Series. We have not tried to fit a square peg into a round hole, as often happens when worshiping at the alter of the Olympic distance, but have simply used the terrain that best fits for our flexible race template.

The Series enables adults to compete individually or as a relay of two or a relay of three. Mixed relays are encouraged! The Markel Castle Triathlon Series aims to include families, so children and parents can race on the same day, making a great family day out. Children from 8 to 15 years can compete in varying distances and win medals and prizes.

To qualify for the Series and be eligible to win prize money, your three best results count across any three races (weekend events only). Of course doing all five enables you to take forward your three best placings thereby maximising your Series points.

Key Benefits for Participants

• A national five race series
• Training packages and training days as well as online training support
• Equipment hire
• Choice of 3 race different formats and distances for adults
• Spectacular venues, technical courses and events
• Pricing structure that rewards Series participation
• Cash prizes for Series Winner
• Online Markel Castle Triathlon Series Community
• Highest standard of medical coverage including ambulance, doctors & sports trainers
• Fast and efficient race kit collection on race day
• Experienced event staffing and marshaling
• Secure bike transition and international standard event equipment
• Chip timing with on the day results
• Regular emails with up to date event and race day information
• Free SMS service providing detailed race information, updates and individual results
• Entertainment, displays, competitions, food vendors, photography services and on-site camping

Our Vision for 2013

The Markel Castle Triathlon Series vision is to provide a national platform for competition, showcasing talent across the UK, Ireland and France.

Whether you’re an elite triathlete, a first-timer keen to stay in shape or an 8 year old boy or girl, now is the time to set yourself a challenge, and start training!  The Markel Castle Triathlon Series comprises of five exciting weekend races set in truly stunning castle locations over the course of the summer offering a professional, safe, competitive, fun, family orientated and BTA sanctioned environment. 

Due to popular demand we will continue to have Olympic distance races at each of our weekend venues this year, so that all competitors can literally pit themselves against the best triathletes that the UK, Ireland and France has to offer over distances that were used at the Olympics in London 2012.

In addition, recognising the demand for mid-week training races we are staging the Hever Castle Evening Sprint Triathlon Series comprising three Wednesday races over May, June and July.

We also recognise that currently in the UK, Ireland and France there is little in the way of decent racing opportunities for our budding young triathletes.  We have attempted to address this across all five venues with cleverly designed routes that give the youngsters the feel of the big stage but with their safety at the forefront of our minds!

What makes the Markel Castle Triathlon Series unique?

1.    Location, Location, Location!

The Markel Castle Triathlon Series team have sourced the best locations in England, Ireland and France to provide a unique experience for participants. Not only are you privy to the grounds of some of the finest Castles and Chateaux in Europe, but all races offer an open water swim in the castle lakes, undulating and technical cycle routes and finish with a protected run inside the picturesque castle grounds.

2.    Spoilt for Choice

Since we know not everyone is an elite athlete, we offer three races to cater for participants with differing skill levels.  Races are variations of the Olympic, Mid-Distance and Sprint distances, and as the season progresses there are longer and shorter variants of both the cycle and run. Market research has dictated the length of our swims knowing that longer open water swims become a barrier to entry into the sport.  This provides the opportunity for participants to mix it up, keeping the competition interesting.

3.    Women's Only Waves

We appreciate that getting swum over by a large bloke is not everybody's idea of having fun and so we will be running at least one women's only wave in the sprint race format at each venue in 2013.

4.    Get the Kids Involved

Currently there are very few events where kids, teens, and adults are able to participate on the same day and over the same course. The team at Markel Castle Triathlon Series thought that this was something that needed attention. Therefore we are offering an event specifically designed for kids and teens on the same day as adults creating a more family orientated atmosphere.  Not wishing to expose children to the open road we have chosen routes to enable mountain or cyclo-cross bikes to be used entirely within the castle estates boundaries.

5.    Triathlon Culture

The Markel Castle Triathlon Series team believes it is really important to build a nationwide race culture that is attractive to newcomers, seasoned triathletes and elite racers alike.  Additionally, the Castle Series Triathlon Team aims to achieve a series of races that are fun, social and competitive.

6.    You might learn something new

The races are held in the grounds of three world class castles in England, one in beautiful Ireland and one of the most stunning chateau's in France. This presents the opportunity to benefit not only the athletes competing in the triathlon series, but offers a multitude of potential experiences for the traveling entourage, helping to keep friends and family not competing entertained throughout the day.