Despite the wet weather spirits were high with over 200 competitors taking part in the Hever Castle Evening Sprint Triathlon last night (12 June).
Elites, first timers and children all raced around the castle grounds and scenic 20km cycle route ahead of the flagship event in September (28/29). Irish elite Matt Molloy came down to check out his second castle in the Series after coming third in the Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon a couple of weeks ago.
He took the first place for the male sprint with an impressive 1.12 hour time. But it was not all about the professionals; the event was the platform for many locals choosing to try their first triathlon with them waking this morning as ‘triathletes’.
The male winner of the sprint distance was unsurprisingly, Matt Molloy. Matt is the current European Olympic and Long Distance M40-44 age group champion and Silver medallist at the World Long Distance Championships. He is the current holder of fastest time achieved by an Irishman at the Ironman World Championships in Kona (2011) and holds the amateur course record over the Olympic distance at Windsor.
All triathletes started with an open water swim in the 38 acre Hever Castle Lake, transitioning into the cycle which took place around the 20km circuit through the High Weald of Kent an area of outstanding natural beauty used on the Hever Castle Triathlon main event (28/29 September). The run circumnavigated the estate and award winning castle grounds before making the dash to the finish beside the lake.
To see the full results and pictures from the night click here.
The Series title sponsor is Markel International, an international, specialist business insurer which sponsors a range of sporting activities.
For more information about the Series and other weekend events, visit www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk or call 01892 870 681.
