The Castle Howard Triathlon, the fourth leg of the 2014 Castle Triathlon Series, welcomed 1,800 competitors and a Channel 4 film crew to Yorkshire for what the organisers called ‘a fantastic two days of triathlon in a regal setting.’
Across two days of racing on 26-27 July 2014, ‘plenty of new champions were crowned – as well as seeing competitors of all ages get their own taste of swim, bike and run, Yorkshire style.’
With amazing architecture in a stunning landscape, it’s unsurprising that for many years Castle Howard has been used as the setting for film productions such as Brideshead Revisited, but for one weekend a year over the last five years it’s become a venue for triathlon as well.
The annual Castle Howard Triathlon has grown in popularity and has doubled in number to 1,800 over the past two years, making it ‘the biggest triathlon in the North-East of England’. This year, in attendance was a top international elite field as well as age groupers from as far afield as Australia and Texas.
2014 marked the first time the race has grown from a one-day event to a full weekend of action. The organisers note that this reflects ‘the huge demand for triathlon in the area and the success of the Castle Howard Triathlon.’
Castle Howard Triathlon has also received a reputation for being one of the toughest in the Castle Triathlon Series, with the North Yorkshire hills to contend with on the bike and a testing hilly run through the estate, it’s certainly not an easy one.
A race for everyone
In addition to a raft of elite athletes, 400 children and 700 adults competed in the event on Saturday, kicking off the weekend triathlon festival in the summer sun. The event offered a ‘festival atmosphere on the castle front lawn with deck chairs, live bands, climbing wall, archery, smoothies and BBQ.’
All for a good cause
Local charity York Against Cancer, and national charity, Help for Heroes, marshalled and cheered the competitors on along with many inspirational stories of fundraising happening across the field.
Channel 4 TV programme
The Castle Howard Triathlon 30-minute TV programme will be aired on Channel 4 TV in the UK on 7 September – hosted by Olympian, Aly Rowell.
Entries for the 2015 Castle Howard Triathlon are now also open, with 30% off for a limited time. The organisers note that ‘hundreds are already signed up for next year’ with the weekend date set for Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July 2015.
The Castle Howard 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.’
- Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon – 24 May 2014
- Hever Castle Evening Series – Various throughout June and July
- Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon – 29 June 2014
- The Bastion at Hever Castle – 13 July 2014
- Castle Howard Triathlon – 26-27 July 2014
- Château de Chantilly Triathlon – 23-24 August 2014
- Hever Castle Triathlon – 27-28 September
www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk
