Château de Chantilly Gauntlet Course Guide EN 2025

Brilliant! Spectacular setting, friendly atmosphere, and everything very smoothly run.

Marshalling was excellent as was commentating. Can’t fault the event - just wish I hadn’t left it so long to try a tri again! I’ll be back.

Anna C.

“Loved it!!! Great atmosphere, good organisation, beautiful place, and a super helpful and kind team of volunteers to guide you and support you throughout the race. It also felt very safe on the road even though it was open to vehicles. Amazing experience, thank you all. ”

Paul H.

YOUR R INFORM

RACE MATION

THE COURSE

The course is a 1.9km loop. The start and finish will be at the Grand Canal entrance in front of the Chateau.

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 exit point will be via the ramp at centre of the Grand Canal.

CUT OFF TIME

The maximum time allowed for the swim is 75 minutes.

SAFETY

Safety is at the h – we have safety kayaks manned life safety repres the lake for your that you are in tr on to your back arm and someon immediately. Re kayak at any tim acceptable with your race timing swimming aids a during the swim.

WETSUITS

Depending on the water temperature, you may need a wetsuit. Between 12°C – 16°C: Wetsuits are compulsory. Between 16°C – 24.5°C: Wetsuit is permitted but not compulsory Between 24.5°C – 32°C: Wetsuit is prohibited. Find out more here.

TIPS

You must wear your chip on your left ankle. It is recommended to wear it underneath the leg of your wetsuit to prevent it from being lost. As for your watch/GPS, losing it in the water can be very frustrating! Wear it underneath the sleeve of your wetsuit.

CYCLE COURSE

The new route for 2025 consists of one lap starting from the Château. Cyclists will pass through some of the most beautiful tourist sites and towns in the Oise region.

JUNCTIONS

All key junctions will be guarded by marshals, but remember that you will be riding on public roads that are not closed to traffic. It is your responsibility to ride in accordance with the Highway Code, and FFTri referees will apply penalties to those who do not.

FEED STATIONS

There will be refreshments along the cycling route We'll let you know in our pre-race communications what food will be available on the course.

BIKES

Don't forget that all athletes are recommended to use road or triathlon bikes. If you are an experienced cyclist, a TT bike is allowed

RELAY TEAMS

Relay teams must ensure that the timing chip is passed between team members during the transition. This must be done next to the position of your bike on the bike rack.

WASTE

Competitors must not litter the course. If they are caught littering, they will be disqualified.

OTHER COMPETITORS

Please note that you will be sharing the cycling course with competitors of other distances. Please respect the signs and the marshals' instructions when you are on the course.

RESPECT FOR ALL

Respect other competitors, event staff and members of the public during the race.

CUT OFF TIME

The cut off time for the bike leg is 5.5 hours. Therefore, if you are not back in transition 7 hours after your race start you will not be allowed to continue onto the run section.

NON DRAFTING

This is a non-drafting race. You will be expected to maintain a distance of at least 12 meters between your wheel and the back wheel of the rider in front of you. Should you wish to overtake you will have 25 seconds to complete the manoeuvre.

THE ROUTE

Heading south from the château the route takes cyclists through the stunning Forêt de Chantilly and past the entrance to Parc Astérix. Passing the beautiful man-made reservoir of Étang de Vallière and the quintessential town of Mortefontaine, cyclists will then head east through the villages of Montaby and Loisy. After passing through the town of Ermenonville, cyclists continue east passing the Château d”Ermenonville and the famous JeanJacques Rousseau Park After the towns of Montagny-Sainte-Félicité and Nanteuil-leHaudouin, athletes then head north-west towards Versigny and Baron. The route then heads north-east to Rosière and then northwards to Le Luat Here, cyclists turn left and head east through Ducy, before then heading north through Rully. Competitors head north-west again towards Néry before finally turning

ELEVATION

homewards through Raray and Brasseuse Upon reaching Senlis and passing its famous Cathedral the route heads past Chantilly Polo Club before returning to Château de Chantilly. The route will be on open public roads and not closed to traffic. The course has a total of 504m ascent. The majority of the route is flat, with one steep climb in the first middle part of the course

CYCLE COURSE

KEY MILESTONES

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

CHANTILLY TO MONGRESIN

On completion of the swim, triathletes take the Cycle Out exit from transition and cycle 1.3km on the internal estate road the Rue Vaillant remembering to cycle on the right On arriving at a large gate called the Grille Vaillant cyclists will take a 90 degree right hand turn on to the public road. Follow marshals and signage at all key junctions along the route. Head south initially and then southwest following the estate boundary on a well-made tarmac road called the D138 On arrival at the T-junction take care as you turn left across traffic onto the Rue de la Fôret. Head southeast, taking care at the roundabout just after the 5K marker, until arriving at the village of Mongresin

MONGRESIN TO PONTARMÉ

In Mongresin take care as you undertake a sharp left and then right heading quickly downhill in the centre of the village On exitin the village after 300m turn left onto a new tarmacked piece of road that will take you i Pontarmé. In Pontarmé, turn sharp left onto the main road under instruction from the police/ marshals and head north on the D10 for approximately 200m before turning rig onto the Route de Thiers and making your way out of the village. Beware of traffic calming measures and parked cars!

THIERS-SUR-THÈVE TO MONRTEFONTAINE

Having passed through the village of ThiersSur-Thève, again taking care of traffic calming measures and parked cars, continue on the D607 to Mortefontaine Just after the 15km marker take a right hand turn at a junction in th e road and then listen to the marshal on the top of a small humpback bridge Take two lefts in the village and then pass the first Feed Station on a slight incline tucked in a school layby on your right hand side.Exit the village on the D922 following signs for Loisy and Ermenonville.

LOISY TO ERMENONVILLE

At 20K you’ll pass through the village of Loisy At 24K, take great joining the roundabout on the outskirts of Ermenonville as you are joining a major French road here called the N330 (which is following a bypass route of the town). Follow the N330 south for 1km before turning left, still on the N330, at a 2 roundabout just after the 25KM sign and head west for 2km On arrival at a 3 roundabout take a further left and leave the N330 by heading north for 1km towards the centre of town on the D922. Before the town take a right and head out into the proper French countryside nd rd

MONTAGNY-SAINTEFÉLICITÉ TO BARON

After the 30KM marker you’ll pass to the south of a village called Montagny-SainteFélicité Continue on the D922 for a further 5km before coming to a t-junction just to the west of a large grain silo and railway line on the outskirts of a town called Nanteuil-leHaudouin. Take care at this junction as you turn left across traffic Follow this road, the D330A, for 8km until you arrive at the village of Baron

DUCY TO HULEUX

At 55KM you will be in the village of Rully In the centre of the village take a right hand turn onto the D113 (Rue du Vignet) and head northeast towards Néry for 7km passing through the village of Huleux en route

NÉRY TO BORDÉ

Just after 60KM join the D98 by turning left across traffic. A further 1km will bring cyclists into the village of Néry. On entering the village turn left at a crossroads, again across traffic, onto the D554 also called the Route de Néry.After 3km on the D554 cyciists will pass through the village of Bordé and a further 1km on from there take a left turn, just before the 65KM marker onto the Rue de Monchy

RARAY TO D26

At 67KM cyclists will enter the village of Raray which is dominated by the chateau of the same name Cross over the D100 in the middle of the village and then handrail the chateau wall for half a km before turning right at a T-junction onto the D26.

BRASSEDSE

At 69KM cyclists will cross over the A1 (main French motorway) and then enter the village of Brassedse. Take care as another D-road joins from the right on the outskirts of the village Pass the busy town green with a number of side roads leading onto it with great care but continue on the D26 in the direction of Senlis.

CHAMANT TO SENLIS

At 72 5K cyclists will turn left a a Tjunction across traffic onto the D932A This is a busy road and leads into Chamant and then Senlis. Cyclists needs to take particular care when crossing the double roundabouts in a retail area called Le Poteau Continue on the D1017 into the stunning walled city of Senlis arriving at the Rondpoint du Ser (Roundabout of the Deer – there is a bronze statue on the top of a plinth on the middle of it) at just under 80KM Nearly there!

SENLIS TO AVENUE DE CHANTILLY

At the Rondpoint du Ser take a right hand turn and follow the inner ring road around the edge of the city walls in an anticlockwise direction Take care with the various side roads and mini-roundabouts as you go.After 800m you’ll arrive at the Rondpoint D’Obelisque (as it sounds –there is a great big obelisk on the middle of it) where you’ll need to follow signage and the gendarmes who will direct you onto the Avenue de Chantilly, the D924. Nearly home now…

RETURNING TO CHÂTEAU DE

CHANTILLY

After 7km on the Avenue de Chantilly, take a left hand turn at the first roundabout you come to. After another 400m on a windy road take right hand turn at the junction and this will bring you around to the Grille Vaillant. Turn right to head back to the transition area and start to prepare for the final leg - the run.

THE ROUTE

Competitors will complete 2 laps of 10.5km course.

The run course is primarily on tracks or paths.

The finish line and event village is situated by the Chateau and Grand Canal where a host of refreshments and drinks will be on offer.

CUT OFF TIME

The overall cut off time for the Gauntlet race is 10 hours. This means that runners who have not started their 2nd lap 8hrs 30mins after race start will not be allowed to head out around the 10.5km loop for a second time but will instead by directed down the finishing chute.

PUBLIC SHARING PARTS OF THE ROUTE

RESPECT FOR ALL

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

Please exercise caution when running along all sections of the route as there may be walkers, people on horseback and motorists using the same tracks, bridleways, paths and roads.

LITTER

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

RUN COURSE OVERVIEW

View the run route online here.

THE ROUTE

The race takes place within the beautiful grounds of the Château de Chantilly estate, consisting of two laps of a 10.5 km course. Runners will begin in the Parc Hameau, passing scenic reservoirs and winding through the estate's charming gardens. Along the way, they will encounter iconic

landmarks such as the Grille d'Honneur, the Grille de Jeu de Plume, and the Jardin Anglais. The route then loops around the Grand Canal and takes runners through parts of the formal gardens, past Maison de Sylvie, and into the Parc de Sylvie, including its labyrinth.

THE TERRAIN

This stunning, fast, and flat course features a mix of grass, tracks, and paths. Multi-terrain shoes are recommended for optimal performance.

ELEVATION

The course has a total of 51m ascent per lap The route is largely flat, with a few gentle ascents and descents.

RUN COURSE

KEY MILESTONES

CHÂTEAU TO PARC D’HAEAU

On completion of the cycle, triathletes take the Run Out exit from transition (top right hand corner) and then take an immediate left downhill on a large estate ramp/ driveway following yellow run route signs En route to marshal point 3 competitors cross over a busy runners junction at marshal point 8 taking care of other runners already on the run route ahead of them approaching from their right. On making marshal point 3 turn right, cross over a small bridge and enter into the Parc D’Hameau, one of a number of bespoke gardens designed by Le Notre on the estate

MARSHAL PT 4, 5 & 6

At marshal point 4, just after the 1km marker, turn left onto a gravel path and keep to the left hand side of the path as other runners will be approaching in the opposite direction Head towards the circular reservoir at the end of the grand Canal and circumnavigate in a clockwise direction before turning left at marshal point 6 and heading uphill on a track 30m up this track take a left turn and follow a shaded track that handrails the river Nonette for 200m

MARSHAL POINT 8 - 10

After 3.5km you will approach marshal point 8 again and this time cross straight over the junction but looking out for runners descending the ramp from transition Then take a left followed by a right for a demi-circumnavigation of an estate ornamental pond (look out for the giant fish!) before turning left and heading under a wellproportioned bridge. You will pass some toilets here if you need them Continue on straight heading towards the Grille D’Honneur (main entrance) before turning left and hand railing a lake for 400m and passing the 4km marker in the process.

FEED STATIONS

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

SPECTATORS VIEW

Many of you will be bringing spectators to watch your herculean efforts. This is our recommendation of what to do and where to go at certain times whilst you are racing. This guide is based on a 6-hour completion time.

08:00 / 8:30

Go and have a coffee in the Event Village whilst athletes register and rack.

09:00 / 9:30

Make your way to the edge of the Grand Canal to watch the swim start and follow along the spectacular waterway.

Watch your swimmer complete the t-shape in the Grand Canal - great viewing spots all the way around and you can literally touch them as they swim down the main canal section.

09:40 / 10:10

Run back to the swim exit ramp so you can watch athletes climb out

of the water and run back up the ornamental steps of the Chateau to transition on the Terrace D’Enghien.

09:50 / 10:20

Climb steps to see your competitor prep for the bike section before heading off down Rue de la Porte Vaillant and the public road

11:00 / 11:30

Head to the Chateau and the extraordinary Musee Conde, which has the second best collection of paintings after the Louvre; It has three captivating Raphaels and a couple of Botticellis and several Poussins, plus Ingres and Delacroix. The chateau itself is largely 19th century but parts date back to the 16th, the home of the Prince of Conde Versailles, only less crowded

12:00 / 12:30

Head to the Great Stables. An architectural masterpiece of the 18th century, the Great Stables were built by the architect Jean Aubert for Louis-Henri de Bourbon, 7th prince of Condé. This veritable palace for horses, built from 1719 to 1735, recently celebrated its three hundredth birthday! The Great Stables are home to the Museum of the Horse, which presents the relationship between humans and horses since the beginning of civilisation. This building is home to

an Equestrian troop that stages original creations all year round, much to the delight of young and old alike.

13:00 / 13:30

Return to the Transition Area at the Terrace D’Enghien to watch your cyclist return and prep for their run before heading out onto the Run Course and the Parc De Sylvie.

13:30 / 14:00

For lunch, choose between the restaurant in the château or grounds. Make the most of it and order an authentic, tasty Chantilly whipped cream dessert! Prior booking advised. You can also enjoy one of the many food trucks around the Event Village or have a family picnic at the tables located under the trees in the English garden.

14:00 / 14:30

Make your way back to the Grille D’Honneur where you should catch your competitor with 6km and a circuit of the Hippodrome (racecourse) to go

15:00 / 15:30

Arrive at the Finish Line to welcome your competitor back! Please note, we expect the winner to complete the race in around 4 hr 15.

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 meal on completion of the race This can be claimed in the finish line area by presenting your wristband.

– A free massage from one of our masseurs.

– Bespoke medal.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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: support@castleraceseries.com