For the absolute beginners on shopper bikes to the grizzled triathletes on wind-cheating £10k steeds, the Castle Triathlon Series offers a wealth of race distances to suit all multisport abilities. No other triathlon series in the UK comes close to the variety we offer.
The famous full Iron distance will return to Hever Castle this July.
The iconic endurance challenge will kick off with a 3.8km lake swim before a 180km bike takes competitors around the Kent countryside. A 42km marathon run completes what will be arguably Britain’s toughest and most rewarding long-distance event.
This race distance is currently on offer at Hever Castle only.
Having launched successfully at Hever and Chantilly in 2013, our half iron Gauntlet triathlon is back by popular demand this year.
And this time it’ll take place at all Castle events. The tough challenge kicks off with a 1.9km swim followed by a 90km bike in the countryside around the castle. The race will finish with a half marathon 21km run to the castle finish line.
This race distance is offered at all of our five stunning castle venues.
You can take on the marathon, half marathon or 10K at all our venues in 2020 on the most iconic and stunning on and off road courses in the UK, Ireland and France.
The run, two loops of beautiful countryside and castle grounds taking in a castle (at some events two), lake and quaint villages with spectators and locals cheering you on all the way! And there is a big celebration with medal and finishing line banquet as you cross the finishing line.
The swim only event provides the choice of three different distances: 5km 2.5km and 1mile and boasts a unique and stunning swim route in all the stunning castle lakes.
The swims described by many triathletes as the ‘best open water swims ever completed’ will now be open to outdoor swimmers as an event in its own right.
All swimmers will be provided with timing chips and the races categorised into wetsuits and non-wetsuits. Prizes will be awarded for the first place male and female competitors in each distance.
The Castle Swims in association with Outdoor Swimmer:
Forget the city marathon, and fill your lungs with country air and stunning scenery before you conquer your marathon by a Castle drawbridge. This new marathon promises the most stunning on and off road course in the UK, a truly motivational and beautiful route that will distract you from the challenge itself. The two or four laps take in two castles, two lakes, quaint Kentish villages with oust houses and castle grounds with spectators and locals cheering you on all the way!
Distances:
Forget the city marathon, and fill your lungs with country air and stunning scenery before you conquer your marathon by a Castle drawbridge. This new marathon promises the most stunning on and off road course in the UK, a truly motivational and beautiful route that will distract you from the challenge itself. The two or four laps take in two castles, two lakes, quaint Kentish villages with oust houses and castle grounds with spectators and locals cheering you on all the way!
Distances
There’s a training option for everybody who’s into long distance. After the unique swim you’ll head out on the fully marshalled and signed bike course with supported feed stations. This circular cycle route will take competitors out of Hever Castle, up through the High Weald of Kent before passing through and over the Ashdown Forest and into the village of Maresfield. After a quick tour of the village competitors retrace their steps to the top of the forest before returning to Hever via the historic and quintessentially English villages of Groombridge, Fordcombe and Penshurst. Finishers have the option of finishing with a gentle 4K run that circumnavigates the lake and stunning grounds of the Hever estate.
Distances
After the unique swim (1 or 2 loops), competitors will then embark on the 10k/21km run course, which follows largely off road tracks and bridle paths between Hever Castle, through the historic local village of Chiddingstone, before finishing right in front of the Castle.
Distances at the Hever Castle Festival of Endurance in July:
The swim course leaves from the Italianate loggia taking competitors down the length of the main lake and heading into the scenic river section.This tributary of the River Eden wraps around 16 Acre Island allowing spectators to watch and cheer competitors on from only a few meters away.
Our proven Castle Triathlon Series Olympic races mirror the distance with a 1.5km lake swim, followed by a 40km bike through the stunning local countryside surrounding the castles (4/5 are in designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The 10km run takes place in the grounds, leading to an unforgettable finish line experience alongside the castle.
This race distance is offered at all of our five stunning castle venues and open to both individual and relay entries.
The Sprint Plus acts as a beautiful bridge between the Super Sprint and Olympic distances.
The 800m swim is perfect for anyone new to the open water experience but is aiming for Olympic, with the extended 40km bike and 8km run likely to suit anyone stronger in the bike and run disciplines.
This race distance is offered at all of our five stunning castle venues and open to both individual and relay entries.
One of the most well-known triathlon race distances, the Sprint is one of the most popular race distances, a perfect opportunity to put your speed to the test but also great for people stepping up from the Super Sprint.
The individual or relay events kick off with a swift 750m lake swim before a 20km bike in the rolling countryside in and around the castle grounds.
The 5km largely off-road run around the picturesque castle grounds will provide a thrilling and memorable finale to the race.
Tipping our hat to the issues people have with swimming in open water this race distance provides a stepping stone to the Sprint Plus and is one of the most popular distances at all events.
The individual or relay events kick off with a swift 400m lake swim before a 20km bike in the rolling countryside in and around the castle grounds.
The 4km largely off-road run around the picturesque castle grounds will provide a thrilling and memorable finale to the race.
This race distance is offered at all of our five stunning castle venues and open to both individual and relay entries.
Kicking off the adult races at the Castle Triathlon Series is the accessible, hugely fun and rewarding super-sprint distance.
The individual or relay events kick off with a swift 200m lake swim before a 15km bike on quiet roads in the rolling countryside in and around the castle estate. Whether you’re a newbie to tri or an experienced old-hand looking for pace, the 2km off-road run around the stunning castle grounds will provide a thrilling and memorable finale to the race.
This race distance is offered at all of our five stunning castle venues and open to both individual and relay entries. Juniors who have parental permission to compete on the open roads may also apply.
* Please note, cycle distance varies from 10-15 km at the different venues
Now is your chance to take part in the new triathlon race format played out at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and soon to be introduced to the 2020 Olympics. Mixed relays were fresh to the Castle Triathlon Series in 2017 and are rare in the current European triathlon market with little opportunity for triathletes to enjoy this exciting and fast moving format.
A team of four consisting of two males and two female participants race in a tag team completing a short triathlon each before handing over to the next team member.
The shortened distances of 250m swim / 5km bike / 1.5 km run will be conducted on existing castle routes and the cyclists will benefit from closed road circuits.
Two mixed relay formats:
The racing will take part at four of our five castles; Lough Cutra Castle, Cholmondeley Castle , Castle Howard and Chateau de Chantilly on the Saturday afternoon of the triathlon festival weekend.
We hope that you enjoy this new exciting race with friends, or family, whether you choose to enjoy the competitive fun, in it’s own right, or complement it with a solo triathlon at the weekend!
*Please note, distances can vary slightly at each castle venue.
Aquathlon Sprint – 750m swim / 5km run
Aquathlon Standard – 1500m swim / 10km run
Following a 750m to 1500m swim in one of our stunning castle lakes, head straight onto a 5km or 10km run through castle estates and beautiful woodland, celebrating your swim-run achievements as you cross the Castle Triathlon Series finish line and join your fellow athletes at our multisport festival.
Duathlon Sprint – 5km run / 20km bike / 2.5km run
Duathlon Standard – 10km run / 40km bike / 5km run
Whether you’re training for a longer distance, or don’t fancy taking the plunge into a full triathlon just yet, a duathlon distance is for you. Begin your race with a run, followed by a Sprint or Standard distance cycle leg, and finish with another short run which brings you across the Castle Triathlon Series finish line.
Aquabike Sprint – 750m swim / 20km bike
Aquabike Standard – 1500m swim / 40km bike
If swimming and cycling are your strongest (or favourite) parts of a triathlon then our aquabike distances are for you. Whether you’re taking on a Sprint or Standard distance Aquabike at any of our weekend festivals, you’ll begin your swim in the unique setting of a castle lake, before cycling through some of the UK’s most stunning estates and rural landscapes.
Our junior event witnesses a 300m lake swim before a challenging but hugely fun off-road 8km cycle around the Castle grounds.
The junior race concludes with a 4km trail run around the castle grounds.
This race distance is offered at all of our five stunning castle venues and open to both individual and relay entries.
*At Castle Howard in 2017 the run will be 2.4km
For the tweens out there, the Castle Triathlon Series offers a 200m open-water swim in a calm castle lake, a 4km off-road bike in the castle grounds before a 2km trail run finale.
This race distance is offered at all of our five stunning castle venues and open to both individual and relay entries.
*At Castle Howard in 2017 the run will be 1.6km
The shortest event in our celebrated children’s races begins with a 100m open-water swim before a 4km bike on traffic-free trails around the Castle grounds.
The race climaxes with a 1.3km run, again on a safe off-road course. One parent is allowed in transition with their children to offer some assistance.
Children aged 7 can take part if they turn 8 before the 31st December of the race year.
This race distance is offered at all of our five stunning castle venues and open to both individual and relay entries.
For the absolute beginners and children to the professional triathletes, the Castle Triathlon Series offers a wealth of race distances to suit all levels.
Hosted at a selection of stunning and iconic castles across the UK, Ireland and France, the Castle Triathlon Series events all promise an inspirational and memorable race experience.
We pride ourselves on offering a bespoke and tailored offering for all those wishing to take part and grateful for all those who want to be involved on the day.
We would always recommend training in preparation for any event, but how much you do, and the style you take is down to you.
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