CASTLE TRIATHLONS: CHOLMONDELEY CASTLE - 26TH JUNE

The first race of the 2010 Castle Triathlon Series (www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk), The Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon was also the fourth in a series of ten events supported by sports nutrition brand Multipower (www.multipoweruk.com), as part of their Target 2010 challenge. You can find out more about Target 2010 HERE. The series comprises some of the UK's most exhilarating outdoor endurance events from mountain biking, to trail running, to urban orienteering and triathlons - and we will be following the progress of these great challenges here on Tri247.

The great weather of the 'Great Escape' Challenge and the Harlech Triathlon, the previous Target 2010 events continued, as glorious sunshine bathed the stunning surroundings Cholmondeley Castle and the rural Cheshire countryside.

The event offered something for all standards and all ages, with entrants as young as eight, through to more experienced athletes taking on the Marquess (800m/44km/8km) or the Gothic (400m/22k/4km), triathlons. There were also relay options for those not yet willing (or able!) to complete the whole event themselves.

The swim was open water, taking place in the Deer Park Mere Lake, before a challenging cycle around Bickerton Hill and then finishing with a run through the Estate grounds to finish with the site of Cholmondeley Castle itself in the background. A spectacular course for an event of this type.

In the longer (Marquess) event, Tom Room (pictured) was a convincing winner, while Mel Graham was the fastest lady - full results HERE. The shorter Gothic event had the largest entry of the day. Veteran Gary Fellows finished just 33 seconds clear of Connor Barry to take first place, while ladies winner Dominique Searle finished fifth overall! Full results HERE.

Following the inaugural Hever Castle race in 2009, Cholmondeley Castle also saw the debut of the childrens as events, as the youngsters took on the challenge of the Cedar (8-10 years), the Oak (11-12 years) or the Chestnut (13-15 years) events. The event organisers are looking forward to the kids events expanding further during the remaining Castle Triathlon Series events of 2010.

This first year event looks set to go from strength-to-strength, and see a significant increase in entry numbers for 2010 judging by some of the positve comments received:

“Well done to all for today, big turnout for next year I think! Best event I've been to this year so far.” - Dylan Ellis Jones

"I just thought I'd send you a thank you email for organising such a fantastic event at Cholmondeley Castle today. It was my first triathlon (well, apart from a fun distance one in Nantwich a few weeks back) and I really enjoyed it! Weren't we lucky with the weather! I have a great tan! Everything went really smoothly, the sun was shining and I'm now definately hooked on triathlon. Thank you to yourself and all of your team for making it such a fantastic day. I'll be back next year to smash my time and hopefully do a few more in the series. They are such stunning locations - and you momentarily forget your tiredness with such fabulous scenery surrounding you! I dont think the dates quite work out for me this year for the other ones, as I already have things planned......but look forward to next year. Thanks again for such a great day and for all your organisational efforts!” - Jo Hall

Interested in taking part? If so, why wait till next year - the Castle Triathlon Series offers three other 2010 events, with Castle Howard (North Yorkshire Moors) on 24th July, Chateau de Chantilly (France) on 29th August and Hever Castle (Kent) on 25th/26th September. Find out more at www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk.

Upcoming Target 2010 Events

9th May - REPORT	The Harlech Triathlon
22nd May - REPORT	The Marie Curie Great Escape Challenge
18th July - REPORT	The Kamikaze Adventure Run
4th-5th Sept	The South Downs Way Lemming Trail
11th Sept	The Artemis Highland 100
26th-27th Sept	Rat Race Urban Adventure
31st Oct	The Exmoor Beast
4th-5th Dec	Grim Challenge