Cholmondeley 2025 Gauntlet Course Guide by castleraceseries

CASTLE RACE SERIES

“This was my first triathlon and it was absolutely fantastic. It surpassed all expectations on how smooth and professional every element was. I am very keen to take part in another Castle Series event soon.” Will G.

“Great event, thoroughly enjoyed myself! Thought the course was really interesting and all the staff were absolutely fantastic from start to finish! Will definitely be back again.”

Tory G.

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 2025 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

The cycle route will take cyclists on six loops of a 14K course in the stunning Cheshire countryside.

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 to 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 bikes 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.

TOILETS

Competitors will pass toilets on each lap of the cycle as you pass transition. You are welcome to use these if you require as you pass.

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.

ROUTE

View the cycle route online here.

per lap

Elevation

CYCLE COURSE

KEY MILESTONES

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

1K

MARSHAL POINT 1

1 km in, having navigated Chestnut Avenue on the internal estate road you will come to a sharp right hand turn across traffic at Marshal Point 1. Remember you are now on the public road and the marshals are not qualified to stop traffic for you! Take care as you turn right, listen to the marshals advice regarding the road traffic situation and ensure that you follow the Highway Code.

MARSHAL POINT 3

As you approach Marshal Point 2 for the first time, you’ll be 2km into your first lap You have right of way but watch for traffic emerging from the left and cyclists crossing from the left to re-enter the estate This area will be heavily marshalled, so follow their instructions. On your second pass at 13km, give way to cyclists approaching from the right and listen to the marshals

MARSHAL POINT 4 & 5

At just under 6km into the cycle, you’ll pass Bickerton Hall on your left. Soon after, you’ll reach a sharp left turn at Marshal Point 5 by Bickerton Primary School. Listen to the marshal and remember this is a give-way junction –you do not have right of way! 50 yards later, you’ll reach the feed station. Slow down if you plan to grab any items and

10K

MARSHAL POINT 9

At 10km you will come to a crossroads at Marshal Point 9 – this is known locally as Hampton’s Post You are turning left at the crossroads but do not have right of way. Turn Left onto Shay Lane and pass Michael Owen’s stables on your left hand side approximately 50m from the crossroads. Watch out for slow moving horse boxes in this area.

14K

TRANSITION

If you're doing multiple laps, take extra care through the athlete’s village The terrain means you’ll be moving at high speed past transition, so watch for cyclists mounting and dismounting at either end. At the end of the straight, turn slightly right over the blind Bailey Bridge near the swimming lake and campsite – proceed with caution!

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 estate 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.

OVERVIEW

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.

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.

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.

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. You will pass this on all six of your laps.

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

We suggest disposing of your bottle in the container preceding the feed station if you wish to collect a prefilled bottle or electrolyte drink at the feed station. Please ensure that all rubbish and bottles are placed in the large containers before and after each feed/water station

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.

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 2K point of the 7K loop which you will pass at 2K, 9K and 16K.

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.