Triathletes from across the UK and as far afield as the Philippines are gearing up for the next big race in the Castle Triathlon Series. The stage is set at Hever Castle, Kent, on Sunday 13 July, for the very first edition of The Bastion. Billed as ’a fiendishly difficult course’, the new long distance event is set within close proximity to London and triathlon’s heartland of South East England.
Designed by an ex-Royal Marine, each leg of The Bastion has been carefully planned to offer a challenge for both newcomers to long-distance triathlon and experienced long-course hands, ‘ensuring that there will be plenty of drama played out over the day and across the 140.6 mile course.’
With a stunning castle backdrop location, tough course and ‘an unbelievable race package for all competitors’, the organisers of the Castle Triathlon Series aim for The Bastion to become a ‘must-do’ iron-distance triathlon in an increasingly crowded UK market.
The unique swim has been hailed by some competitors who have visited Hever Castle triathlon before as ‘the best open water swim ever experienced’. The 2.4 mile swim course leaves from the Italianate loggia taking competitors down the length of the main lake before passing the Japanese tea house and heading into the scenic river section.
The 180K three loop bike course represents arguably ‘the toughest iron-distance route on offer in the UK’, with around 2,000m of ascent covering ‘areas of outstanding beauty’ in the High Weald of Kent before passing through Hartfield and over the Ashdown Forest.
The four lap run route is mainly an off road trail run. It circumnavigates the two stunning estates of Hever and Chiddingstone Castles before an iconic finish in-front of the Hever Castle drawbridge that once gave passage to King Henry VIII into one of his Royal homes.
Pro triathlete Karl Alexander said “Having raced some of the toughest and most iconic races the UK has to offer, the course at Hever Castle more than holds its own. With a unique swim comprising both lake and river followed by a brutally beautiful bike course and a run through the stunning castle grounds, this event comes with serious bragging rights!”
All entrants will earn their finishers medal, premium branded rucksack, branded sports body warmer, Speedo towel and Buff Original headwear. The recovery after this epic challenge begins immediately after with a complimentary hot meal and free sports massage, plus the rights to accurately claiming a place in history by having taken part in the first ever Bastion Triathlon at Hever Castle.
The race also claims to offer one of the biggest prize purses in the UK, with the winners taking home £2,500 and the total prize purse amounting to £10,000. Further prizes will be for the top three male and female competitors in the 40+, 50+ and 60+ categories.
All for a good cause
The organisers are also pleased to partner with local charity, The Wingate Centre, which provides respite for families, offering holiday accommodation specifically designed and equipped for those with a disability and groups with special needs.
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. A free race entry is given in return for a day’s marshalling at any one of the Castle Triathlon Series events. The ‘free place’ can be used for any race distance, including one of The Gauntlet half-iron distance triathlons held around the country.
The Bastion 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
