Location
|
Hever, Kent, UK
|
Race
website
|
|
Time
of year held
|
July
|
Approx
Athlete Numbers
|
75
|
Does
it typically sell out?
|
No
|
One
word description for the event
|
Tough
|
Good
for first iron distance race?
|
Only if up for a big
challenge
|
Tips for overseas athletes getting to
the venue:
- Fly into Gatwick ideally (but any London hub airport will do).
- Hire a car.
- Set on the grounds of an old English castle with onsite camping and showers provided.
- The castle also has bed & breakfast accommodation available
SWIM
One
word description for the swim
|
Interesting
|
Single
or multi-lap course?
|
2 laps
|
Typically
wetsuit-legal?
|
Yes
|
Swim
course description
|
Lake, mass start
|
Swim tips
- Be aware with sighting.
- It's not hard to navigate but it's a two lap swim that takes you up the main lake before turning left into a tributary and following back round. Confused triathletes can swim into the bank if they misjudge the turn.
- Also, keep a narrow line to the finish, the temptation is to swim on a wider arc into the lake
BIKE
One
word description for the bike
|
Hilly
|
GPS
map link for the bike course
|
|
Video
link for the bike course
|
|
Single
or multi-lap course?
|
3 laps
|
Bike Course description
Bike Course tips
- No major climbs but consistent rolling hills amounting to around 2,000m of ascent a few technical descents.
- This is not a fast bike course. Best split in 2015 was 5:28 from solid-biking second/third tier professional Karl Alexander.
 |
| Pic credit: Colin Baldwin Photography |
RUN
One
word description for the run
|
Trail
|
GPS
map link for the run course
|
|
Video
link for the run course
|
|
Single
or multi-lap course?
|
4 laps
|
Run course description
- A tough, trail marathon with the only flat mile being through the ground of Hever Castle.
- All-terrain trail from tracks to field to a small amount of road.
- Will be sticky on a wet day
Run course tips
- Do not underestimate the run.
- Four 10.5km laps on hilly trails turns this into a death march for most of the field.
- Protect your quads and try and judge your pace. The fastest split in 2015 was by race winner Darren Jenkins in 3:15, but that was 20mins faster than any other athlete.
SUPPORTERS
Tips for supporters get the most out
of watching the event?
- Great place to spectate.
- You can walk parts of the swim course, countless old English pubs on bike course, stunning Hever Castle grounds, you can easily get out on to the run course, which has some typical English countryside scenery
Great places to eat:
- Ask race organisers The Castle Series for recommendations, or see the race information pack.
- Discounts are on offer for participants’ families at local pubs (i.e. Sunday lunch), on-site catering is also available, and Hever Castle caters separately for other paying tourists (you will have a wristband to allow free access)
Best bike or tri shop in town:
Best pick for accommodation:
Best things for the kids to do:
- Explore the ground of Hever Castle; there is also a climbing wall and archery provided
Cool things to do after the race:
- If you can hang around, I'd suggest visiting a selection of the old English pubs, having a good drink and talking over your race experience
Any warnings that people should know
about before entering:
- It is difficult. Many of the field are first-timers and many find they do not finish
OVERALL
General tips:
- This is a popular part of the country for regular sportives and time trials.
Best thing about this
race:
- Like a throwback to the roots of a quintessential British triathlon.
- Currently a low-key race but in a stunning setting, triathletes are lovingly looked after (free end of race massages)
Anything negative about
this race:
- No, you just need to prepared for how difficult it is.
- It's also far removed from the M-Dot experience. In 2015 there were 62 finishers, 11 DNFs and no-one broke 10 hours.
RACE REPORTS AND OTHER VIDEO LINKS SUPPLIED
Have you done this
race?
Thank you to the
following people who have contributed content to this page: Tim Heming
