Triathletes from across the UK and internationally are getting ready for one of the UK’s toughest tri challenges. Organised by the Castle Triathlon Series, the third outing of the long distance Bastion takes place at Hever Castle, Kent, on Sunday 10 July. The organisers add that ‘A fiendishly difficult course lies in store for the competitors who have entered, set within the stunning castle grounds.’
The main event, The Bastion, consists of a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42km marathon run, all of which must be completed under a time of 17 hours, and this year the event sees over 100 competitors rising to the challenge. Also added this year will be a half iron distance (The Gauntlet) along with two open water swim races and a long distance challenge aquathon – making it ‘a festival of Endurance with 500 racing’.
The event has attracted a wide range of athletes from first-timers looking to take on the mammoth distances for charity or the personal challenge, to professionals drawn by the title and £5,000 prize money.
Designed by an ex-Royal Marine, each leg of The Bastion has been 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.
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 180km three loop bike course is a tough route, 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 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.
The recovery after this epic challenge begins immediately after with a complimentary hot meal and free sports massage.
www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk
