Triathlon fever set to hit Hever Castle this weekend – the gauntlet

 Exciting stuff this weekend at Hever Castle. Not only one of the best end-of-season half Ironman distance events but a whole host of other distances over 2 days including kids events and family activities. Well I think it’s good anyway.

General Release info from the organiser:

• World’s largest children’s triathlon

• Now second largest triathlon in the UK with 7,000 competitors

Triathlon returns once again to Hever Castle in Kent to write another historic chapter on the 27^th and 28^th September 2014. In just six years of year-on-year growth, the stunning venue this year welcomes over 7,000 competitors, from 47 countries, across a series of 13 different distances in what is now the second largest triathlon in the UK.

Filmed by Channel 4, Hever Castle Triathlon is set to redefine the sport once again, as it breaks its own record as the World’s largest children’s triathlon with over 1,800 youth athletes racing distances tailored for their age, and welcomes Band of Brother and Sisters in support of the events national charity, Help for Heroes.

World’s largest children’s triathlon

Saturday afternoon will see 1,000 8-10 year olds give it a tri and thousands of parents shed elated tears in pride of their young ones achievements. At this age the event sees a 50:50 split in gender of participants which changes to 30:70 female: male as they get older, a trend the organisers hope to even out in future. 800 11-15 year olds race on Sunday afternoon with a strong uptake of junior tri clubs. The Castle Triathlon Series, organisers of Hever Castle Triathlon have embraced the introduction of triathlon and access to the sport for children this year with the launch of the first curriculum linked school resource, Tri Knights.

Commonwealth Games triathletes take part

Carol Bridge and Liam Lloyd, who competed in the Commonwealth Games this Summer representing Wales, will be joined by a huge pool of elites this weekend. Karl Alexander is determined to defend his title as winner of the Gauntlet 2013 but tough competition is on the start line with Xterra winner Matt Dewis, Castle Howard Gauntlet winner Matt Leeman and Outlaw winner Craig Twigg amongst a plethora of professional traithletes joining the 650 other Gauntlet (half iron distance) competitors. Catherine Jameson will take on her first half iron distance with Carol Bridge and South African middle distance champion Tracy Markham joining the female line up. The Olympic distance shows just as strong field including Mark Threfall, India Lee and Alice Hector.

Stunning course – one-loop bike courses for each distance

Competitors will begin their race on the magnificent loggia before swimming in the 38-acre Hever Castle Lake and River Eden. Olympic ad Gauntlet competitors will experience the unique open-water one loop swim around the 16-acre island. This creates an incredible spectacle that is rewarding for both the athletes and the spectators who can see one of the most exciting parts of the race up-close.

Those taking part will then transition onto the undulating cycle that takes athletes around the High Weald of Kent, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with one lap for each race distance with a picturesque loop tailored for them. The largely off-road run circumnavigates the estate and award-winning castle grounds before making the dash to the tree-lined finishing chute beside the lake.

Fun for spectators too

This year there is even more planned for friends, family and all the supporters at the Hever Castle Triathlon Triathlon, with a variety of live music, family games and of course a brilliant atmosphere for all.

Relax in the grounds of one of the most famous castles in England and enjoy the action unfold!

A video of last year’s event: