Athletes and triathletes of all abilities are being presented with a brand new standard distance triathlon set in the heart of Sussex, England, in the picturesque market town of Arundel. The first edition of the new Arundel Castle Triathlon will be held on Sunday 20 July, starting with an open-water swim in the River Arun and finishing with a grandstand finish in the town square.
With the race set to become a ‘major event’ in 2015, the 2014 edition is a chance for competitors to check out the course at a reduced entry fee and for spectators to come and watch what will grow to what the organisers feel will become a ‘must-do’ race in the UK.
The Arundel Castle Triathlon, is a new standard-distance triathlon, launched by experienced sporting events company, Raw Energy Pursuits (REP), and features a picturesque market town steeped in both history and culture. The backdrop to this event includes the impressive medieval castle which is home to the Duke of Norfolk, the stunning cathedral and the annual arts festival which draws thousands of visitors to the town each summer.
Event organiser Mick Dicker said “REP has organised the pool based Arundel Lido Triathlon for the last 8 years, with this selling out each time. We eventually want to create a bigger capacity event that makes the most of the ideal setting Arundel provides and offers something for the whole family. Our plans for 2015 are to also add an outdoor Lido Try-a-Tri or Sprint race for novices to encourage new participants in triathlon.”
He added, “The race HQ, the transition and finish areas are all located in or close to the Castle grounds giving the event a ‘wow’ factor and creating a great atmosphere for spectators.”
Set within the boundaries of the South Downs National Park, athletes will take in the best of the Sussex countryside throughout this event. The course starts with an out and back 1.5K swim in the meandering River Arun, followed by a 40K cycle taking in the villages of Storrington, Amberley and Houghton and finishing with a 10K run in 2 x 5K laps around Swanbourne Lake and through the Norfolk Estate, before eventually passing the castle and finishing on a closed road section of the town square.
Although small, Arundel packs a lot in with many attractions to suit all ages and interests including the Arundel Ghost Experience, Boat Trips, Museum, the Wetlands Centre, Walking tours and Treasure Hunts. There are also numerous cafes, bars, restaurants and shops in the market town, many of which will provide spectators with a great view during the event.
There are numerous hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, camping & caravan sites and other types of accommodation all within 5 miles of Arundel. Adding to the event’s expansion opportunities in the years to come, there are direct rail links to London and easy road access.
www.rawenergypursuits.co.uk
www.arundel.org.uk
