The impressively named Gauntlet, the half iron distance triathlon at Lough Cutra Castle, in County Galway, Ireland, has reportedly been a ‘resounding success since it was introduced two years ago’. Part of the Castle Triathlon Series, the organisers note that numbers for the Gauntlet have doubled each year in Ireland and are now at more than 400.
An impressive 1500 triathletes in total are expected on Lough Cutra Castle race day, which takes place on 29 May 2016. The event has been selected by Triathlon Ireland as a Vodafone National Series event which adds to its appeal in the country. It’s also the castle where Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall stayed during their visit to Ireland last year.
The Gauntlet course is billed as one of the most attractive middle distance races in the country. The swim is in the castle lake, the cycle is around the lunar landscape of The Burren and the run is around the beautiful castle grounds and woodland. The winner of the men’s race in 2015 was Kevin Thornton from Galway Tri Club, leading from the swim exit and smashing the course record with 4:15:08. Siobhan Gallagher (Donegal) won the women’s race in a time of 5:11:39.
Last year’s Olympic distance winner Kitty Perle from Dublin has moved up to The Gauntlet for 2016. Many competitors are also using The Gauntlet as part of their training for the Bastion at Hever Castle or another full iron distance triathlon.
For others The Gauntlet is an achievement in itself and it is their first race of this length. The Castle Triathlon team note that at least one brave person is doing it as their first ever triathlon! Meanwhile, veteran competitor John Joe Higgins from Tuam is 68 years young and is returning for yet another Gauntlet. The organising team add that there’s a ‘huge local entry and big numbers coming from the rest of Ireland and the UK’.
The Gauntlet event is one of 8 different triathlons taking place at Lough Cutra Castle on Sunday 29 May. The Castle Triathlon Series also includes events in three castles in England plus one in France.
All Lough Cutra Castle triathlons finish right in front of the ‘fairy-tale castle’. On the lawns nearby are the stands, music, dancing and kids entertainment (climbing wall, bouncy castles etc.). There is a spectator charge of €5 per adult and €3 per child. Local partners include Gotta Run, a specialist running store in Oranmore, alongside Sasta Cafe and Coole Football Club. The charity partner is ISPCC. Competitors are asked to make donations to ISPCC Childline on registration or via www.mycharity.ie.
www.loughcutratri.ie
www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk
