Hever Castle Triathlon and Sport Festival

• Chip timed
• Prizes
• All competitors in all races will receive a medal on completion of their race
• Banquet of well-earned treats
• Live bands
• Food stalls
• A retail area
• Camping at the castle making the weekend a festival of sporting achievements.
• Licensed race
• Trophies
• Prize money
• Hever Castle Speakers Tent
• Marshal's
• Baggage Drop
• Race photography
• Event Village

REGISTRATION & SETTING UP

Our staff at registration will provide you with your race pack and will body mark you. You will receive a race pack.

Please ensure you arrive at registration at least an hour and a half before the start of your race.

All participants are required to either produce a valid National Governing Body Membership License or purchase a Day Membership on race day.

Numbered labels must be placed on your bike and helmet before you enter the transition area.

When entering transition your helmet, bike bar ends and bike brakes will be checked and then you will be shown to your designated transition “spot”.

Please ensure that you name your wetsuit and keep all your marked belongings together – as all the wetsuits look the same it’s very easy to pick up the wrong one!

Once you have racked your bike, you need to make your way to the swim start. Ensure you leave time for the briefing – 15 minutes before your wave time by the Race Director. All
members of the relay team need to attend the briefing.

TRANSITION
After you have been through registration, head for transition andthe athlete prep zone. Here you will be able to drop a bag in our bag drop facility, go to the toilet and change. The team will then guide you to your transition spot.

Please ensure that your numbered labels (in your race pack) are attached before entering the transition area.

The transition team will check your bike helmet, bike bar ends and your bike brakes before you will be allowed to rack up.

You will not be able to leave transition with your equipment at any point unless the number on you and your bike matches.

Race bag/bag drop

Space is limited in transition. Under governing body rules, boxes are not allowed in transition. A small soft-sided bag such as a rucksack may be allowed to remain in transition, tough it must not impede the progress of another competitor. There is a bag drop available in or adjacent to the transition area.

CHIP TIMING & RESULTS

You will receive a chip-timing device which will be the same as your race number for the duration of the race. This must be put on your left ankle before you start. You must hand this to a marshal at the finish line.

Please note that it is your responsibility to wear your timing device and we cannot be held responsible for any losses. There is a charge for lost devices.

Results

Saturday

08:00 - Sprint Plus

08:40 - Sprint

09:00 - Aquabike Sprint

09:00 - Aquathlon Sprint

09:30 - Duathlon Sprint

09:30 - Super Sprint - Anne Boleyn

11:00 - Starter Tri - Castle Tri

11:30 - 5k Hever Outdoor Swim

11:45 - 2.5k Hever Outdoor Swim

12:15 - 1 mile Hever Outdoor Swim

14.00 First Wave - Children (8-10 yrs) Elizabeth 1

16.00 Final Wave - Children (8-10 yrs) Elizabeth 1

Sunday

08:00 - Half Iron / Middle Distance - The Gauntlet

09:00 - Olympic / Standard - The Hever

10:20 - Aquabike Standard

10:20 - Aquathlon Standard

10:30 - Duathlon Standard

10:45 - Half Marathon

11:00 - 10k

14:30 - Junior (13-15yrs) Elizabeth 1st

15:30 - Children (11-12 yrs) Elizabeth 1st

16.15 - Children (11-12yrs) Elizabeth 1st

RELAY TEAMS

Where the swim, bike and run legs are completed by different team members

Relay team chip timing
The chip, (attached to a strap) given out at registration, to be worn on the left ankle, acts
as a relay baton and must be passed between team members in transition, for the next
part of the race.

Relay team race number

Within your race pack, you will be given two separate numbers - the cyclist is to wear one on their back, and the runner is to wear the other on their front. The swimmer is not required to wear a race number.

SPEAKER TENT

For the first time at Hever Castle Triathlon there is a Speaker’s Tent with celebrities, industry experts and event professionals talking about their passions – from training tips to getting your mind ready to take on a triathlon challenge.

RACE PHOTOGRAPHY

SWIM

Wetsuits or tri-suits are advised for triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike and swim events. However, they are only compulsory if the water is less than 14 degrees celsius

BIKE

Adults; road/hybrid bike is recommended, however mountain or cyclo-cross bikes can be used.

8-15 year old races: we strongly recommend mountain or cyclo-cross bikes. Please service and carry out safety checks on all bikes.

RACE DAY CHECK-LIST

• Nutrition and liquids
• Wetsuit and goggles
• Race belt
• Towel
• Bike helmet, pump and Repair kit
• Shoes for bike/run
• Clothing for run/bike
• Warm clothing for after race
• Cash
• Triathlon membership licence
• Or cash for one day licence

The spectator experience at the Castle Triathlon Series has become almost as famous as the spectacular backdrops and classic courses, and has made passing time before your loved ones finish the race a thing of the past.

Spectators are actively encouraged to come down to the event! The looped nature of the course makes it very spectator friendly.

There will be a variety of entertainment on offer, with a festival theme throughout, such as inflatables, climbing wall, yoga and retail outlets.

Please follow this link for more information on spectators - https://www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk/take-part/spectators/

We rely on a team of dedicated volunteers for our famous race atmosphere, in roles such as helping out at registration, monitoring the cycle route and more. We'll typically ask you to arrive around 6am, with your hard work finishing around 5pm. If you'd like to sign up, or find out more, please visit https://www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk/take-part/volunteers/

What is the Gauntlet?

The Gauntlet - middle / half iron distance races is hosted at all Castle Triathlon Series venues with entries open to individuals and relays.

For first timers at this distance it is both the obvious progression from Olympic-distance triathlon and an admirable start for your extreme triathlon dreams. The Gauntlet challenge will force triathletes to pit their wits against a 1.9km lake swim, a 90km bike and a 21km off-road run at each of the Castle Triathlon Series’ stunning venues and scenic surrounds.

In keeping with our castle theme, The Gauntlet celebrates the expression ‘running the gauntlet’ and will become a battle of accomplishment for every athlete competing over our proven courses.

If the promise of a cycle up the Burren’s Corkscrew Hill in Ireland, a swim in the iconic Chateau Grand Canal or a half marathon though the historic grounds of Castle Howard whets your appetite, see below for a detailed course description of each of our five Gauntlet races.

Can the start times change?

Start times are approximate and shown here as a general guide. These are subject to change. Depending on numbers, there will be multiple waves for each race distance, usually separated by 15 to 20 minutes.

Will entrants be notified if start times change?

Entrants will be notified of their wave time via email 2 weeks prior to the event. We advise that entrants arrive at least 1 – 1.5 hours before their wave time. There’s an option to request specific waves during registration. Relays go off in the final wave of their distance.

What is draft legal racing?

If you have entered a draft legal race (only available at certain venues) please ensure your bike conforms with the Draft Legal Guidelines laid down by your national governing
body.

RACE PACK FAQs

What is in the race pack?

• An individual race number that is worn during the cycle and the run.
• Three numbered labels for your equipment.
• A coloured swim hat (the colour relates to the wave that you are in).
• A timing chip device to be worn around your left ankle - this must be worn throughout all 3 disciplines and will need to be handed in at the finish line.
• Children will get a wristband to be worn during their race to help marshals direct them on the cycle and run.

RELAY FAQs

Who can be in the relay team?

Relay teams can enter the adults or children's races but not mixed together.

How does the relay work?

For each distance there is the option to enter as a relay team. Either in a group of two (one of
the team will do two disciplines), or a group of three (where you do a discipline each).

These teams can be all male, all female or a mixed team. There is no specification on ages
(of course children/junior relay participants must be of an age that falls in line with their race
category) or abilities within the teams.

Who registers for the relay team?

At registration, ideally the whole relay team arrives together for body marking and receiving
the race pack. If this is not possible, one team member can pick up the race pack for the
other (the relay team will be registered under the person who made the booking).
However the other relay members will still need to go via registration once they arrive.

Do all relay members need to attend the race briefing?

All relay team members must attend the briefing at the swim start before the race.

TRANSITION FAQs

What are the best tips for the transition section?

Always have your cycling helmet on and fastened before you remove your bike from the racking in transition.

1) Be organised:

When setting up transition, only take the essentials in with you. Anything you know you won’t need, leave with family & friends or at home. This will help you get in and out of transition quicker with minimal fuss and stress!

2) Visualise

Transition can often be a busy and sometimes a confusing place on race morning. Make sure
you know your swim exit, bike out & in and run out to help gain those precious seconds!

3) Practice!

A great way to save easy seconds and even minutes of your time is in transition. Practice jumping on and off your bike, mounting and dismounting with your shoes already clipped in (very much an ITU style mount/dismount and probably for the more experienced). You can try and use elastic bands to keep your shoes in ahorizontal position to make this easy. Practice running up to your kit and how you are going to put your sunglasses, helmet and shoes on
quickly. What’s the best set up for you? For example, my sunglasses go inside my helmet, with the arms open so they can be put on straight away and then my helmet over the top.

4) Walk through transition

Familiarise yourself with the path you will take from swim to bike and out, and then from bike
to run. Look out for something visual near where you bike and kit is set up, so that it’s easy to spot when you are running to your bike. For example, is there a tree that stands out? Or count the number of fences, or is there an advertising sign near by that you can easily
identify?

5) Talcum Powder is a triathlete’s best friend

Use it sparingly in your bike & run shoes to help slip your feet in easier & reduce the chance of mid-race rubbing.

6) Setup your bike

Make sure your bike is set up in the right gear to start your race. If you have a hill out of transition you probably want to start in an easier gear, so you are not struggling in the first

GENERAL FAQs

Can I bring spectators to the event?
Yes, spectators are very welcome to each castle

Are there toilets available for competitors?
Yes, there are plenty of toilets available at each castle for spectators and competitors; these are normally situated by registration/transition.

Can I compete in the same wave as friends/family?
Yes, there is an option to create a
‘unique code’ that can be put in
during the registration process.

If I am injured can I just complete one or two of the disciplines rather than the whole race?
Yes, you are very welcome to do the disciplines you are comfortable with (e.g just the cycle and run). Obviously this will make you ineligible for prizes but you are welcome to complete
your race like this.

Can I change distance once I have booked?
Yes, if you make your booking and then decide to change your race distance, you can contact the office to arrange this ([email protected] castletriathlonseries.co.uk). Please note: if you drop down to a shorter distance, we cannot refund the difference, and if you upgrade to a longer distance the difference will need to be paid.

Can I bring dogs into the Castle grounds?
Yes, as long as they are well behaved and on a lead. At all venues apart from Chantilly and Lough Cutra Castle (don’t forget your poop bag!)

If I bring spectators will there be much for them to do while I’m racing?
We pride ourselves on offering plenty of activities for spectators along with access to the Castle grounds. The event village offers a festival atmosphere with plenty of places to
watch those racing.

How do I find out about the water temperature for race day?
The water temperature will be taken two weeks, 48hrs and 24hrs prior to the race. In the online registration process we ask for your mobile phone number so we can text all
participants this information via our Bulk SMS text. This is a free service. This will also be available on the website on the race info page.