Search
shop

Outlaw Half Holkham: course tips from the champion – Reece Barclay

Over 1300 athlete will line up on Sunday for the second Outlaw Half Holkham. We asked last years winner, Reece Barclay, for his tips on conquering the race
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Get ready for the second Outlaw Half Holkham

Top tips from the inaugural winner of the race, Reece Barclay

In a race calendar which seems increasingly overcrowded with event choices at times, sometimes a race comes along which truly makes a statement from the start.

After announcing an expansion to the ‘Outlaw’ brand of events in November 2015, OSB Events delivered the first Outlaw Half Holkham on 3rd July last year. Will there be more ‘Outlaw’ news soon? Quite possibly

Outlaw Half Holkham - Reece Barclay tips

A great debut it was too, I said at the time in our report:

A stunning location, fantastic weather, a great course and some brilliant racing – the first edition of the Outlaw Half Holkham was most definitely a triumph from organisers OSB Events. The Outlaw brand has been expanded – and what a fine job they did.


With over 1300 entries accepted for the second edition, coming up this Sunday 2nd July, the word has clearly got out. So, if you are racing for the first time, what can you expect?

We asked the debut winner, Reece Barclay, for his tips and advice on having your best race at Holkham Hall…

Know your start time…

Make sure you know your start time! Sounds simple, but I saw a few people last year rushing around as they had misread their wave start time.

Our Advice? READ THE RACE PACK!

The Swim…

The swim is well marked but there is a small island to swim round at the turn. It would help to walk along the lake before the race and familiarise yourself with some reference points for sighting.

Our Advice? LOOK AT THE SWIM COURSE MAP!

Outlaw Half Holkham - Reece Barclay tips

The Bike…

The bike route is typical of British roads; some smooth, some not so. A few ups and downs but mostly rolling. Pace the bike as the run is deceptively hilly. Also beware that the roads are still open to traffic and there a few small villages the course passes through. I was held up last year by traffic turning into a nearby car boot sale. Hopefully they won’t be there this year, but if they are, beware of stationary traffic!

Our Advice? LOOK AT THE INTERACTIVE BIKE COURSE MAP!

Outlaw Half Holkham - Reece Barclay tips

The Run…

The run is three laps each with two climbs. The first climb is paved and straight after T2, so you’ll not miss it! The second goes a little off-road, but you can make use of the shade provided by the woods.

Outlaw Half Holkham - Reece Barclay tips

Our Advice? Keep fuelled – FEED STATION DETAILS and REVIEW THE RUN COURSE MAP!

Outlaw Half Holkham - Reece Barclay tips

Have a great race – and perhaps we’ll see a similar picture from Reece again this year on Sunday?!

Outlaw Half Holkham - Reece Barclay tips

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
latest News
The PTO's CEO Sam Renouf
PTO reveal ambitions of matching Roth and Kona as French Riviera T100 triathlon course details unveiled
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘No No No’ – Sam Long says he felt ROBBED by swim cancellation at ‘69.1 Chattanooga’
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
Kristian Hogenhaug interviewed after The Championship 2025
Danish triathlon star highlights blistering bike split as key to The Championship success.
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...