It is the final flagship race of the Castle Triathlon Series and a jam-packed, televised weekend with competitors of all ages and abilities signed up to take part in one of the biggest multisport events in the UK. Triathlon returns for the 7th annual Hever Castle Triathlon weekend over the 26th and 27th September, ready to write another historic chapter at the former home of King Henry VIII.

Fittingly for its 7th edition, the number 7 features prominently throughout the event – starting with a record breaking number of entries currently standing at 7,000. The youngest competitor lining up in the world’s biggest kids race is 7, whilst the oldest competitor is 77.

The stunning venue, located in the heart of Kent, welcomes competitors from across the UK and internationally in a series of distances and challenges (including the biggest children’s triathlon in the world). Its position at the end of the busy triathlon calendar and the final stop on the Castle Triathlon Series means that there is a party-like festival atmosphere as triathletes sign off their season with PB’s, new distances achieved or sporting success shared with their friends of families. The atmosphere is boosted by 500 camping through the weekend and lots of entertainment including bands, climbing walls, archery, trade stands, fun fair and pleasure rides.

The event attracts some of the best triathletes in Britain who are set to race hard and fast for their share of the trophies and prize money. Up for grabs this year is a prize fund of £8k that stands at £2,000 for the standard distance race, whilst those triumphing in the toughest challenge of the day, the half-iron Gauntlet race, will also take home their share of £2,000. Further prizes are given for Series winners.

Favourites for The Gauntlet 2015 titles

The Gauntlet at Hever Castle is the biggest test in the Castle Triathlon Series. The half-iron distance triathlon takes competitors into the rolling hills of the Kent Weald and through an ‘area of outstanding beauty’. Triathletes who took on the 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run last year unequivocally reviewed it as one of the ‘must-do’ events in the UK and attracted to the challenge, the field has grown once again this year from 200 in 2013 to now over 850 – making it one of the most popular in the country.

Spearheading the men’s field will be the intriguing re-match between Darren Jenkins (Bastion 2015 champion) and Karl Alexander (Hever Castle Gauntlet 2013 champion). These two had an awesome battle at Hever Castle earlier this year over the iron-distance Bastion Triathlon in July, with Jenkins emerging on top with his fearsome run proving the decisive factor. Now set to battle it out again over the middle distance, will Jenkins once again have the upper hand, or will the shorter distance suit Alexander who will have less run course to cover before the finish line comes. These questions and more will all be answered over the race.

Jenkins and Alexander won’t have it all their own way as there is talent throughout the field, not least in the form of XTERRA professional Matt Dewis, Irish Middle Distance champion Kevin Thornton and talented racer Will Cowan – who can all challenge for the podium and have the class to win.

British and Scottish Middle Distance Champion Nikki Bartlett is in the field and is the clear favourite for the women’s title at Hever Castle Gauntlet Triathlon.

Also in the field is Pete Dyson, Andy Dyson, Max Hazell, Ben Matthews, Colin Norris, Ben Pritchard and Neil Tandy. The women’s race will feature Bex Milnes and Kim Morrison.

Olympic distance speedsters

Whilst the Gauntlet represents a test of speed over distance at Hever Castle Triathlon, the speed kings and queens will take on the Olympic distance triathlon, which comprises of the shorter (but no less testing) distances of 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run. Competing for these titles will be elite athletes including Liam Lloyd, Phil Edgley, James Fearn, Calum Johnson, William Kirk and Scott Thompson.

The women’s race looks particularly exciting, with Catherine Jameson headlining the field. Jameson is a fearsome competitor on the Castle Triathlon Series circuit and has picked up wins at Chateau du Chantilly, Castle Howard and Cholmondeley already this year. Jameson is such a fan of the Hever Castle Triathlon that she has published her top ten reasons to do the race here.

Hever Castle would complete the set. However, a challenge will come from another former Hever Castle Champion, Vicky Johnston and also from the reigning European Aquathlon Champion Hannah Kitchen.

Hever Castle – the ‘must-do British race’

In just six years the Hever Castle Triathlon has swiftly established itself as an essential destination for British and international triathletes, garnering plaudits and mainstream media attention for its picture postcard venue, elite action, age-group choice and festival atmosphere. There are no fewer than 14 race choices on offer making it one of the biggest events in the UK.

To cement the race’s title as the world’s largest children’s triathlon, over 1,600 junior athletes are expected to take part.

The races will begin with an amended and unique open-water swim in the spectacular 38 acre Hever Castle Lake and River Eden. 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. Competitors in The Gauntlet will take on a single 1.9km lap whilst those racing in the Olympic distance will take on (for the first time) a single 1.5km lap.

Those taking part will then transition onto the undulating cycle that takes athletes around a 20km circuit through the High Weald of Kent, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with one lap for the Sprint and two laps for the Olympic-distance racers. Those on The Gauntlet will be on a specially designed 2-lap course. 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!

Last minute entries still available

Entry to all the races being held at the Hever Castle Triathlon are still open for last minute entry but you have to move quick as entry will be closing soon. You can enter the Hever Castle Triathlon Triathlon via the website: http://www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk/the-series/hever-castle/

You can view a video of last year’s event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VE4wvSAsrc

Trading Places

The Castle Triathlon Series offers a trading places scheme for anyone who volunteers as a marshal or works as part of the race team, whereby a free race is given in return for a day’s marshalling at any one of the Castle Triathlon Series events. You can register to volunteer here: http://www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk/take-part/volunteers

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For further information or if you or a colleague would like a media place in the race please contact:
E: [email protected]
T: 01892 870681
Hever Castle Triathlon is part of the Castle Triathlon Series, festival events for all levels from a 7 year old, to a 70 year old, a first timer to the elite at five beautiful castles around Europe.