Following six years of year-on-year growth, the stunning venue of Hever Castle in Kent, UK, this year welcomes over 7,000 competitors across a series of 13 different distances in what the organisers state is now the second largest triathlon in the UK.
Filmed by Channel 4 television, the Hever Castle Triathlon is also set to break its own record as the ‘world’s largest children’s triathlon’ with over 1,800 youth athletes racing distances tailored for their age. It also welcomes Band of Brother and Sisters in support of the event’s national charity, Help for Heroes.
The organisers have provided a breakdown of the gender split across the ages…
Saturday adults
Female 956 / Male 1,435 (40 : 60)
The Sprint distance events have the highest percentage of women (40%) and the organisers put this down to more parents getting involved with their kids and it being a more accessible distance.
Sunday adults
Female 600 / Male 2362 (20 : 80)
The percentage of women (20%) is a lot less for the longer distance racing on the Sunday.
Saturday 8-10
Female 426 / Male 498 (46 : 54)
Here, it is interesting to see that 8-10 year olds have an almost an even gender split.
Saturday 11-15
Female 350 / Male 528
Then they get a bit older and the gap widens! (40 : 60)
Overall, out of more than 7,000 registered athletes, the Hever Castle Triathlon has a 33% to 67% female to male ratio. This puts female participation at the event higher than the UK national average, which is approximately 26% to 74% female to male – according to research issued by the Triathlon Industry Association (TIA).
The Castle Triathlon Series feels that it does things differently to encourage more women to participate:
- Hosting the ‘world’s largest children’s triathlon’ (so mums get exposed to triathlon and want to inspire/be a role model)
- Combine adult and children racing on the same day / course
- Women’s only waves
- New shorter distance being introduced next year
- Schools campaign – launch of Tri Knights ‘helps gain more exposure to women rather than marketing through [traditional] tri routes’
World’s largest children’s triathlon
The afternoon of Saturday 27 September will see approaching 1,000 8-10 year olds give it a tri. As outlined above, at this age the event sees close to a 50:50 split in gender, which changes to be more male as they get older, a trend the organisers hope to even out in future.
Over 800 11-15 year olds will race on Sunday afternoon with a strong uptake of junior tri clubs. The Castle Triathlon Series, organiser of Hever Castle Triathlon has 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.
Main event
Competitors will begin their race on the magnificent loggia before swimming in the 38-acre Hever Castle Lake and River Eden. Olympic and Gauntlet distance competitors will experience the unique open-water one loop swim around the 16-acre island. The organisers note that 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.
Athletes will then transition onto the undulating cycle that takes them around the High Weald of Kent, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 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 supporters at the Hever Castle Triathlon, with a variety of live music and family games. Over the weekend, athletes and spectators can relax in the grounds of one of the most famous castles in England and enjoy the action unfold!
www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk
