With Hever Castle Triathlon coming up fast, long-course athletes have just over a week to make their final preparations for the debut of new ‘fiendishly’ tough race The Bastion.
Designed by an ex-Royal Marine, each leg of The Bastion has been carefully planned to offer the ultimate 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 226km course.
The race begins with a 3.8km swim down the length of the main lake before passing the Japanese tea house and heading into the scenic river section. Once athletes have left T1 they’ll enter what is claimed to be one of the toughest iron-distance bike legs in the UK, with around 2,000 metres 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. All entrants will receive a goody bag that includes a finisher’s medal, premium branded rucksack, branded sports body warmer, Speedo towel and Buff Original headwear.
The winner of this year’s Bastion will also take home £2,500 from the total prize pot of £10,000, with further prizes for the top-three male and female competitors in the 40+, 50+ and 60+ categories.
Are you racing in the Bastion this year? How are your preparations going? Let us know in the comments below!