The Markel Castle Triathlon Series has announced that a new race will be added to their increasingly popular portfolio of events in 2013 for competitors wanting a more ambitious challenge.
Hever Castle Triathlon, will attracted 3,500 athletes this year to consolidate its status as a major UK triathlon, will host a half iron distance (1.9km swim, 90km cycle and a 21km run), The Gauntlet, on Sunday 29th September 2013. With a £5,000 prize fund up for grabs there is keen interest from triathletes looking for a new long distance race in the New Year.
Race Director, Brian Adcock explains: “The Gauntlet half iron distance race is a natural extension to our competitor offering; we want there to be a race for everyone and this will certainly appeal to those who are after the next step up from the Olympic distance.”
The Gauntlet, suitably named in keeping with our castle theme, not only symbolises a protective glove used as a form of armour during historical battles, but celebrates the expressions ‘running the gauntlet’ (originally running the gantlope), which means running between two confining rows of adversaries and ‘throwing down the gauntlet’.
The Gauntlet course
The 1.9km swim will involve a single loop taking in the main Hever Castle lake and a tributary of the river Eden. The 90km cycle is a 2 loop course which is an extension of the Olympic distance, previously offered at the Markel Hever Castle Triathlon, taking in the high weald of Kent and the Ashdown forest.
The 21km run course is 2 loops of 10.5km, will take in the existing 5km Markel Hever Castle Triathlon course but with a 5km extension via tracks and bridle paths though the historic local village of Chiddingstone, and the grounds of Chiddingstone Castle itself. The course includes a strong off road element which allows a highly inspirational setting often praised and welcomed by the elite triathletes taking part in the Olympic distance.
Interested triathletes can view the course here.
To register for The Gauntlet at the Markel Hever Castle Triathlon on Sunday 29th September 2013 visit www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk.
