Belvoir Castle 2024 Gauntlet Course Guide by castleraceseries

CASTLE RACE SERIES

SUNDAY 28 JULY 2024

A new castle for the Series and what an absolute stunner! Another Capability

Brown designed estate with awe-inspiring views of the Castle and dreamy layout of paths and tracks making best use of the stunning Leicestershire countryside

Dear Competitor,

Signed up or thinking of signing up to this immense challenge? This guide will provide you with all the information you need about The Gauntlet, Middle Distance Triathlon, at Belvoir Castle.

This race is named after three epic references, the protective glove used as a form of armour during historical battles and the two idioms ‘running the gauntlet’ (to run between two rows of adversaries) and ‘throwing down the gauntlet’ (challenging someone to mortal combat).

Our goal is to ensure you have the best race experience possible and for your family and friends to have a great time supporting you along the route, as well as celebrating with you in our festival village. We want you all to soak up the atmosphere, see the sights and make the castle grounds and the stunning surrounding countryside your playground for the day.

For information on arrival and car parks, registration, event village as well as information and offers from our Partners please view the Competitor Guide for 2024.

We wish you all the best with your training and pre-race preparations and we look forward to seeing you at the start line for a race to remember.

Race Director

YOUR R INFORM

RACE MATION

SWIM COURSE

The swim is in the Lower Lake of the castle which was formed by a Capability Brown classic - a manmade dam - on the local stream that rises in the hills of the Vale of Belvoir. Never far from the bank, this lapped swim is perfect for both spectating and for the newcomer to open water swimming.

THE COURSE

Race Director, Brian Adcock, will record an online briefing prior to race day which will be shared on the Event Information page on our website. This short online video will detail course and safety details If you are in a relay team, please ensure every member of your team has watched it.

The swim course will take triathletes out in a straight line from A to the 150m buoy at B before doubling back for 100m to the 250m marker at C. A short dogleg back out to the 300m marker at D will then see athletes heading north for 100m to point E At the 400m marker, on laps one, two and three, turn right and head back to the start line at A to complete the 500m. When you reach the 400m buoy on the 4th lap, swim straight ahead and exit the water via the ramp You will then have a 400m grassy run back to transition across the event field.

Swim buoys will be placed at the intervals shown on the map

The swim cut-off will be 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Safety is at the heart of the event – we have safety boats and kayaks manned by fully trained life safety representatives out on the lake for your swim If you feel that you are in trouble please roll on to your back and raise your arm and someone will be with you immediately. Resting on the boat or kayak at any time during the race is acceptable with no implication on your race timings.

Swimmers will be manually and electronically counted into and out of the water for additional safety. Regular water quality and temperature tests are taken in the upcoming months, weeks and during the event. These will be shared on the Belvoir Castle competitor information page

CYCLE COURSE

The 45K cycle route at Belvoir Castle is one of the most stunning courses that we have had the pleasure of putting together. The intricate maze of wide, well made country roads has been laced together into what we hope will be a fast but challenging route that takes in the very best of the views and the topography. 2 laps of this course will give your spectators a chance to catch up with you at the halfway point as well as the opportunity to repass our well-stocked feed stations. Enjoy!

JUNCTIONS

All key junctions will be marshalled but please remember you will be riding on public roads not closed to traffic. It is YOUR responsibility to ride within the provisions of the Highway Code and give way where necessary.

CUT OFF TIME

The cut off time for the bike leg is 7 hours after race start, and if you are not back in transition by then, you will not be allowed to continue onto the run section.

FEED STATIONS

There will be feed and water stations out on the bike course. Please see the Feed Station page for more detail.

RELAY TEAMS

Relay teams must ensure they pass the timing chip between team members during transition. This must take place adjacent to your bike location on the bike rack.

LITTER

Competitors must not drop litter out on the course. If caught littering, you will be disqualified.

RESPECT FOR ALL

Please respect all other competitors, event staff and members of the public, as you race.

OTHER COMPETITORS

Towards the end of your first lap or on the early part of your second lap, you will be joined by other cyclists from the standard distance races. They will have different coloured race numbers so please do not be demoralised if you are suddenly overtaken by a bunch of fast moving bikes with fresh legged riders! In addition these riders will be doing two laps of a shorter 20K course so please don’t inadvertantly follow them down the wrong route!

THE ROUTE

STARTING THE CYCLE LEG

Leave transiton via the NE corner and head onto the estate road before mounting and heading off the estate. Take care as you come through here after your first lap as there will be other people mounting their bikes as you go steaming past at high speed

SECOND LAP

Once the first loop has been completed, cyclists pass transition on the estate road and continue straight on for their second lap

CYCLE COURSE

KEY MILESTONES

Please take note of the following key junctions/ points of interest on the cycle course:

0.5K

MARSHAL POINT 1

After 500m you will come to the end of the estate road (which is closed to traffic) and emerge onto the public road by making a left turn Take care as you exit as the adrenalin will be pumping and you must give way to any oncoming traffic!

0.9K

MARSHAL POINT 2

A further 400m down the right, cyclists will make a right turn across traffic at the Engine Yard. Take care to give way to any oncoming traffic from the SW. Also keep a good look out for Castle visitors who are making their way back from the Engine Yard to the main castle car park which is on the other side of the road.

MARSHAL POINT 3

After a further 2km downhill you will appraoch a cross roads where you will be turning left. You do not have right of way and this is a very fast stretch of road and known accident blackspot. Listen to the marshals on the junction and keep your speed under control as you approach the junction.

3K 10K

MARSHAL POINT 6/7

The village of Harby sits at the confluence of 5 minor roads and adjacent to the Grantham Canal. In short you will need to keep your wits about you as you enter this village on Stathern Lane some 10km into your cycle At the junction of Stathern Lane and the Main Street take a right turn across traffic and continue for a further 200m before turning left down Colston Lane directly opposite the Nags Head pub.

15K

MARSHAL POINT 9

A further 5K on relatively flat terrain will take you into the village of Colston Bassett. Follow the road through this sleepy village and watch out for parishioners making their way to church particularly on your second lap.

23K

MARSHAL POINT 14

From Colston Bassett you will make a series of left turns, all marshalled as you bear round onto a more southerly heading. You’ll pass through the village of Kinoulton at just after 20km, the feed station at 22km (take care here as we always have a least one accident per race!) on a quiet country road and then enter the village of Hickling at 23km. You’ll recross the Grantham Canal and then after 500m turn left in the middle of the village down Clawson Lane.

27K

MARSHAL POINT 15

The last few km of flat cycling will take you into the village of Long Clawson. Take care as you enter as this busy village will have its fair share of elderly churgoers making their way to church. You’ll pass the Long Clawson Dairy (makers of Stilton Cheese) as you enter the village and then, at the junction in the middle of the village turn right across traffic onto the Melton Road.

42K

MARSHAL POINT 21/22

After leaving Long Clawson you have a steady climb up onto the ridgeline at the top of what are known as the Leicestershire Wolds. Enjoy a bit of fast and iconic cycling along this ridge for a good 12km as you run in back towards the castle Take care at the 42km point where you will be back adjacent to the boundary of the castle estate and begin a fast downhill descent into the village of Knipton. There is a pinch point at the bottom of the hill and often oncoming traffic is in the middle of the road!

MARSHAL POINT 22/23

Take care to be polite to the locals as you pass through the village of Knipton which effectively provides a back entrance onto the castle estate. Take the left hand turn through the estate gates on a sharp left hand turn in the road. The last 1.5km is on the internal estate road Watch out for runners crossing your path (they should give way to you) and take care as you approach transition, looking out for both dismounting and mounting cyclists!

RUN COURSE

A truly stunning estate demands an equally stunning run course and we have tried to combine a proper view of the castle (up close and personal) with a full circumnavigation of the estate and all it has to offer. From the wonders of Frog Hollow to a view of the world famous Belvoir Hunt Kennels we are sending you on a veritable treasure hunt around the estate. Enjoy the immaculate paths, tracks and roads as much as the flora and fauna that you will pass on the way. Please pin your ears back and revel in this immaculate test of endurance running.

THE ROUTE

All of the route is within the boundaries of the estate and off public road.

ESTATE TENANTS AND WORKERS SHARING PART OF THE ROUTE

Although the route is entirely on estate, please exercise caution w running along all sections of the route as there may be other wal people on horseback and motor using the same tracks, bridleway paths and roads.

CUT OFF TIME

Runners who have not sta 2nd lap 8.5 hrs after race not be allowed to head ou the 10.5km loop for a seco will instead be directed do finishing chute.

LITTER

Competitors must not dro on the course. If caught lit will be disqualified

RESPECT FOR ALL

Please respect all other co event staff and members public as you race.

RUN COURSE

OVERVIEW

The run route is a 10.5km loop. Run out is in the NE corner of transition and this is where you’ll cross the run route timing mat at the end of T2. Follow the very distinct signage and directions of the marshals and you won’t go wrong. Having completed your first lap you’ll then circumnavigate transition for a second time and head out onto the course once more. This time around you’ll follow the signage to the Finish Line and cross with Belvoir Castle as your backdrop!

LEAVING TRANSITION

Run Out is in the NE corner of transition. Turn immediately left and follow the track to the junction with the estate road. Keep your wits about you here as this is also the mount point for the cycle and the point where cyclists on their second laps will go whizzing by

RUN COURSE

KEY MILESTONES

0.8K

MARSHAL PT 1

The first 800m is a steady climb uphill which will take you past the old stable yard on your right hand side. Here you’ll pass the very distinctive old covered horse exercise ring before turning left at Marshal Point 1 and heading more steeply uphill towards the castle itself.

1.3K

MARSHAL PT 2

The next 500m is steeper still and will take you up the main driveway where you’ll cross a set of old railway tracks which were used to take the very large new stone blocks up to the castle when it was being constructed. At the top of this section you’ll come to Marshal Pt 2 at a confluence of tracks, roads and paths before turning right up an equally steep slope.

MARSHAL PT 3

After 100m you will have reached the high point of your run where you’ll find yourself at the top of Blackberry Hill. The next 600m is on a well made estate track and you’ll be able to bowl along here with good views of the Vale of Belvoir off to your right hand side.

2.7K

MARSHAL PT 4

From the high point of Blackberry Hill you will drop down to Frog Hole on the same well made track through Carlisle Wood. At marshal point 4 there is a confluence of tracks so please make sure you keep following your correct coloured signage and if you are not sure, ask the marshal which way to go!

3.5K

MARSHAL PT 5

Having turned right at the previous marshal, climb steadily up Windsor Hill and then climb again up into Granby Wood and the Marshal Point 5. You’re not far from where you cycled here at the edge of the estate.

4.1K

MARSHAL POINT 6

Traverse through the ancient wood for 600m before taking a left turn at the next marshal point and heading steeply down hill.

4.6K

MARSHAL PT 7

Continue downhill from marshal point 6 and then climb steadily back up through King’s Wood and marshal point 7. Turn left at this junction and look out for runners coming in the opposite direction who are on the 5K course!

MARSHAL PT 8

You have got 400m on a well made track on relatively flat ground before you will be sent off to the right and uphill towards the well-earned feed station.

5.2K

FEED STATION

200m uphill on a track from marshal point 8 and you are halfway around your first lap and also at the well stocked feed station.

MARSHAL PT 9

A steady climb up the side of Blackberry Hill on a well made track will see you get to marshal point 9. Look down to the right for a stunning view of the Duchess’s Garden and Briery Wood.

MARSHAL PT 10

Still climbing steadily uphill, you will look down on the Duchess’ Garden to your right, also passing the family Mausoleum (on your left) before topping out at the road/ path junction that you ran past earlier in the race.

7.3K

MARSHAL PT 11

What goes up must come down and down you will go through the Duchess’ Garden, quite steeply at first, until you come across marshal point 11 tucked away at the junction of a few tracks in the woods.

7.9K

MARSHAL PT 12

A steady downhill trot through beautiful ancient woodland will see you emerge from Briery Wood into a large open flat area called the Knipton Pasture.

8.3K

MARSHAL PT 13

A dash across the Knipton pasture will bring you to the estate road - keep your eyes peeled for cyclists as you quickly cross by the marshal and make your way down the well made verge of the road.

8.9K

MARSHAL PT 14

A sprint along the well made roadside verge will bring you to this marshal point and left hand turn.

9.9K

MARSHAL PT 15

This leg is all about water. You’ll first pass the well stocked trout ponds and then you’ll run alongside the Belvoir Upper Lake, which feeds into the Lower Lake where you swam earlier in the day. More of a path than a track, just watch where you are putting your feet as you edge through this pasture and look left for the magnificent Belvoir Hunt Kennels which are on the far side of the lake.

10.3K

MARSHAL PT 16

Turn left at marshal point 15 and then run along the road, over the dividing bridge between the two lakes and then up to marshal point 16, where you’ll make a right and head into the main events field and Lap Point/ Finish junction.

10.5K

LAP POINT/ FINISH STRAIGHT JUNCTION

You’ve done it. Well one lap anyway. Get to the junction in the track and follow the right hand fork to take you out onto your second lap. Having completed your second lap you can then take the left hand fork and finish across the Finish Line with the castle itself as a backdrop!

FEED STATIONS

The Castle Race Series will be providing you with comprehensive food and drink stations.

Each station will be preceded by a large container ready to catch your empty water bottles or litter. There will also be a large container approximately 50m after the aid station

A feed station will be placed at 22.5K, 67 5K on the bike route

A team of volunteers will have a selection of food and drink available for you.

The feed station will be stocked as follows:

Precision Fuel and Hydration 30 Energy Gels

Precision Fuel and Hydration 30

Energy Chews

Half bananas

Bottles of water

Pre-mixed bottles PH 1000

electrolyte drink

ON THE RUN

A feed station will be placed at the 5.2K point of the 10.5K loop. You will therefore pass this twice, once at 5.2K, again at 15.7K on your second lap.

The feed station will be stocked as follows:

Precision Fuel and Hydration 30 Energy Gels

Precision Fuel and Hydration 30 Energy Chews

Half bananas

Cups of water

Cups of flat coca-cola (or similar)

Jelly Babies (or similar)

In addition there will be a water station at the edge of transition which you will pass at the start of your run and at 10 5K after your first lap

A team of volunteers will have a selection of food and drink available for you.

On your run you may well be joined by competitors from the shorter adult races that have started after your race start time. Do not be put off by fresh legged runners overtaking you (they will have different colour numbers on their vests) and keep following the signs for the 10.5K route rather than just following others as they may well be on the shorter 5K route on the course. If caught littering you will be disqualified.

SPECTATORS VIEW

Many of you will be bringing spectators to watch your herculean efforts. This is our recommendation for your supporters, based on a 6 hour race completion time.