Cholmondeley Castle 2024 Gauntlet Course Guide

“Great pre-event info including video briefings. Slick, professional and friendly event staff to welcome and register you. Frequent aid stations. Great courses and brilliant marshalls to keep you safe and cheer you on. Really recommend.”

James H.

“The marshalls at this event were second to none; smiley, friendly, helpful, encouraging, supportive..I could go on! The event itself was seamlessly organised with so many options to suit everybody. A beautiful venue as are all the Castle series (that I've been to) What a great day!”

Helen S.

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 Cholmondeley 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.

To view our Competitor Guide for 2024 please click here, which will provide information on arrival and car parks, registration, event village as well as information and offers from our Partners.

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.

Brian Adcock Race Director

YOUR R INFORM

RACE MATION

SWIM COURSE

The Gauntlet swim course is a 950m loop in one of the most beautiful natural estate lakes called Deer Park Mere. With some great spectator viewpoints around the lake, your loved ones will be able to watch you conquer the swim!

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 to the 375m point where they will then turn right towards the 550m buoy which is adjacent to a fisherman’s platform Swimmers will then double back and head around the 650m buoy before heading back towards the swim exit. After lap 1 swimmers will exit the water, run back along the Bailey Bridge and re-enter the water via the start pontoon. Swimmers follow the same route for the second lap.

Swim buoys will be placed at the intervals shown on the map Wetsuits, due to the distance of the swim, will be mandatory for this race. The swim cut-off will be 75 minutes. At the end of each lap you will be assisted out of the water by the swim support team.

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 Cholmondeley Castle competitor information page

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

CYCLE COURSE

We have a new cycle route will take cyclists six loops of 13K. Maps and details to be updated via our website and guides shortly!

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.

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 buckles with fresh legged riders!

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 These will be labelled on the map.

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.

RUN COURSE

After your second transition, you will begin the run course which consists of three loops of a 7km route totalling 21km. Take in the striking Cheshire scenery as you complete the final discipline.

THE ROUTE

A large propor is on estate ro run on the gra

PUBLIC SHA OF THE ROU

Although the r estate, please running along route as there people on hors using the sam paths and roa

CUT OFF TIME

Runners who have not started their 3rd lap 9 hrs after race start will not be allowed to head out around the 7km loop for a third time but will instead be directed down the finishing chute.

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.

RUN COURSE

LEAVING TRANSITION

After exiting transition competitors follow a grassy track around the edge of the cricket pitch before heading across a couple of pastures and onto the internal estate road.

OUT TOWARDS BEESTON LODGE

You will pass the estate chapel before taking the long straight Beeston drive out towards the Beeston Lodge then you will head back towards the castle on the same road. Passing Chapel Mere with stunning views of the castle straight ahead, you will turn right at Somerset Lodge (looks like an archway) and head towards the large White Park House.

CASTLE HILL

From there turn left and pass around the edge of the stunning Victorian stable block and look out for the incredibly ornate dovecote in a field on your right hand side. Another 200m and then you will turn right onto the wooded and grassy Castle Hill. This is the most demanding part of the course, but will reward you with stunning views out over the Peckforton Hills where you cycled earlier.

BACK TO THE CASTLE

A canter down-hill will see you back adjacent to the castle itself before running down the main lawn in sight of the finish line

LAPS 2 & 3

At the bottom of the hill and just over the bridge you will meet a fork in the track. Stay left for laps 2 and 3 and turn right for the finish.

RUN COURSE

KEY MILESTONES

1K

HA HA

Having crossed a cow pasture on a track you’ll come to a cattle grid and crush just before the start of the estate road. Stay right and follow your signage to Ha Ha bridge and then onto the estate road before heading back towards the triangular road junction where you will turn right.

2K

MARSHAL PT.6

After passing the Cholmondeley Estate Chapel, you will come to a three way junction in the road, where you will turn right and run a 2K out and back course to the Beeston Gate Lodge and the Feed Station.

3K

BEESTON LODGE

At the Beeston Lodge turn around the feed station and make sure you run over the timing mat which will give you a split time out on the course Please be careful of slow moving and stationary competitors at this location.

5K

SOMERSET LODGE

Having run for 2K from the feed station pass the water station just before a stone archway called Somerset Lodge. Again be careful of slow moving or stationary competitors at this point

11K

CONFLUENCE OF ESTATE ROADS

Just after the stables and around the back of the castle, turn right and head up Castle Hill for some panoramic views. Take care to follow The Gauntlet signs as some competitors on the shorter routes will go straight on at this point. Watch your footing on tired legs as you use the tracks in the wood.

16.5K

FORK IN ROUTE

At the bottom of the castle lawn, having crossed over the Ha Ha bridge you’ll see the finish line and chute off to the right hand side. Don’t take this if you have 2nd or 3rd laps still to complete (although tempting) but keep left and rejoin the original route. Watch out for runners joining from the right as you approach the corner of the field and cricket pitch.

FEED STATIONS

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

ON THE BIKE

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/water station will be placed at 6k on the bike route

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

ON THE RUN

A feed station will be placed at the 3.5K point of the 7K loop. You will therefore pass this three times, once at 3.5K, again at 10.5K on your second lap and finally at 17.5K on your third lap.

In addition there will be a water station at the 2K point of the 7K loop which you will pass at 2K, 9K and 16K

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 21K race rather than just following others as they may well be on one of the shorter 4K or 5K routes 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.

07:30

Chill out and grab some breakfast in the Event Village area whilst taking in the stunning grounds.

08:00

Watch the swim start of the race and then wander along either the bank of the Mere or walk the whole way around it to watch them complete their two laps.

08:30

Make your way back to the castle lawn so you can watch the frontrunners exit the water and then cheer on your competitor as they emerge from the the lake. There is a good view of the transition area from all sides.

09:00

Make your way out onto the cycle course in your car and head for the 23K point which is the feed station at Hartshill. A local cycling mecca (akin to Box Hill down south) will be passed 3 times by your competitor on their cycle route. If you have got time then visit Beeston Castle in Tarporley (opens 10AM). This ‘Castle of the Rock’ is famous for its spectacular views, which take in no less than eight counties on a clear day From its lookout point at the top of a mighty crag, you can see from the Pennines all the way to the Welsh mountains

Alternatively, particularly if you have small children, stay and enjoy the atmosphere in the Festival Village at Cholmondleey Castle itself There will be a bouncy castle, live bands and much more on offer.

12:00

You can watch the run from anywhere you like on the 7K route which is entirely within the estate. The Castle and it immediate surroundings provide the best backdrop for photos. You are welcome to walk any section of the run but please be careful to stay to the side of the tracks and give way to any competitors on narrow sections. The lawn directly in front of the castle is a great spot to watch the finishing straight and you are welcome to run the last 100 yards with your competitor, particularly if you have young kids!

14:00

The prize giving ceremony is scheduled for this time directly in front of the castle and adjacent to the finish line.

14:45 - 17:00

The children’s races are due to start after lunch and this provides a great spectacle and inspiration for younger children In addition, more live music will play continuously throughout the afternoon.

PRIZES

PRIZES, AGE GROUPS & PRIZE GIVING

The podium winners will receive a trophy along with prize envelope.

There will also be Age Group trophies for Senior (18-39 years), 40+, 50+ and 60+ first places.

The prize giving will take place in the event village during the afternoon of race day.

EACH COMPETITOR WILL RECEIVE

– Bespoke Gauntlet technical t-shirt.

– A well-earned warm meal on completion of the race (This can be claimed by entering the Gauntlet competitor’s marquee and presenting the wristband worn during the race).

– A free massage from one of our masseurs.

– The opportunity to shower in the campsite showers.

– Bespoke medal.

We look forward to seeing you on race day and wish you luck for your final preparations.

If you need further information please visit our website: castleraceseries.com or email us: