Hever Castle Gauntlet Guide 2023

COURSE GUIDE

HEVER CASTLE GAUNTLET 2023

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

Zig Zagler

“The whole process from arriving at the event to the courses was made crystal clear. It was a very friendly atmosphere with great staff and brilliant spectator support.””

Heulwen, 2022 Gauntlet Competitor

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 at Hever 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’ (challengeing someone to mortal combat).

Our goal is to ensure you have the best race experience possible and for your loved ones to have a great time supporting you along the route and 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.

We wish you all the best for 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 RACE INFORMATION

RACE INFORMATION

SWIM COURSE

The 1.9km loop starts and finishes at the Hever Castle’s Italian inspired Loggia. This dynamic course through the Hever Lake takes swimmers past the beautiful Japanese Tea House and around a 16 Acre Island.

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 entry point will be from the steps of the Loggia.

The swim course will take triathletes out to the far end of the main lake before turning around a buoy and turning right into the River Eden tributary. The swim follows the river around the Castle’s 16 Acre Island passing the water maze and under two wooden bridges that link the island to the mainland. Spectators will be able to follow the river section of this route from 16 Acre Island and cheer you on.

The final leg of the swim will see you return back into the main lake at the front of the loggia. There is a boat ramp, covered in rubber matting, to aid your exit with a helping hand from the swim support team.

Swim buoys will be placed at 100m, 200m, 300m, 400m, 500m, 600m, 700m, 900m, 1100m, 1300m and 1500m. A swim gate at 500m will be designated by an additional orange buoy next to the red buoy. The swim cut off will be 1.5 hours. 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 a boat or kayak at any time during the race is acceptable with no implication on your race timings.

Swimmers will be electronically counted into and out of the water for additional safety.

CYCLE COURSE

This is a stunning course through the very best of the Kent countryside where you will experience an impressive 4,790ft ascent over two laps.

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

On race day, and in particular on your second bike lap, you will be racing alongside competitors in the standard distance race. These competitors will be doing two laps of the 20k course. Please make sure you do not accidentally follow these athletes around the wrong course!

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.

CUT OFF TIME

The cut off time for the bike leg is 5.5 hours. In other words, if you are not back in transition 7 hours after your race start 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 fuelling page for more details.

CYCLE COURSE MAP

With a total ascent over the 2 lap course of 1,460m/4,790ft, this is truly one of the toughest half iron races in Europe.

Castle Triathlon Series, Hever Castle Triathlon, Evening Sprint Series and Interservices

Key

The  Gauntlet  Cycle  Route  (45km)

Cycle  Route  (20km)

The  Hever/Anne  of  Cleves   Running  Route  (5km)

Henry  VIII/  Anne  Boleyn  Running  Route &  Elizabeth  I  Cycle  Route  (4km)

Elizabeth  I  Run  Route  (2km)

Elizabeth  I  Run  Route  (1.3km)

The  Gauntlet  Run  Route  (10.5km)

Swim  Route

Buoys Water  Point

Marshall  Point/Gauntlet  Marshall

Feed  Station

CYCLE COURSE OVERVIEW

LEAVING TRANSITION

After exiting transition competitors head west to the corner of Pokeridge Field in the same direction of travel as exiting runners. On reaching the line of cypress trees continue straight on the old estate back drive for 600m until you reach the public road. Take care of the narrow road, the line of cones down the middle, returning cyclists on the other side the speed bumps that are on either side of the estate cottages.

HEVER TO THE A264

On exiting the estate turn immediately left and then follow the road as it turns sharp right around the Henry VIII pub. Descend downhill to a t-junction, turn left and then start the 2km ascent up Uckfield Lane to the village of Markbeech

At the crossroads in front of the Kentish Horse pub, turn right under traffic management control and head west out of the village towards The Queens Arms pub at the second crossroads. Turn left here and head south on an undulating B-road until you come to the A264.

A264 TO THE ASHDOWN FOREST

At the A264 you will find an off-set traffic managed crossroads. Follow the marshals and continue straight on here for a further 4km before making the village of Hartfield. At the first t-junction turn right and then head through the middle of the village taking care at the two pinch points that have been inserted as traffic calming measures. On exiting the village turn immediately left up Jib Jacks Hill which climbs steeply at first and then more gently up to a high point on the Ashdown Forest.

the village of Fordcombe (take care of churchgoers parking their cars on the left hand side of the road) and then over the River Medway before climbing steeply into the village of Penshurst.

PENSHURST TO HEVER CASTLE

THE ASHDOWN FOREST TO GROOMBRIDGE

At the high point of the Ashdown Forest cyclists will turn left and after 400m arrive at the Feed Station. Continue straight on and descend steeply from the Ashdown until crossing underneath the lines of the Spa Valley Railway and climbing up a small incline into the village of Groombridge.

In Penshurst turn left at the Village Hall and then head north up the Penshurst Road for 2km before turning left towards Chiddingstone Causeway. Descend steeply through Morden before crossing over the Edenbridge to Tonbridge railway line and coming to a t-junction. Turn left here and then follow the B-road on flat terrain through the villages of Chiddingstone Causeway and Bough Beech and back to Hever. Look out for the churchyard and pub before turning left back onto the estate and returning to transition via the old back driveway.

SECOND LAPPERS

GROOMBRIDGE TO PENSHURST

Pass through the middle of Groombridge, over the miniroundabout and past the local pub The Crown before ascending steeply up Groombridge Hill. At the top of Groombridge Hill turn left just after the farm shop onto the A264. A brief stint on the A264 before turning right onto the Fordcombe Road. Head steeply downhill through

Those continuing for a 2nd lap do not turn left through the wooden gates but merely continue straight on for their second lap. Having completed their second lap they can then turn left and return to transition keeping the cones on their right hand side as they follow the back drive.

MARSHAL POINT 7

Beware other cyclists joining from the left at this junction. You have right of way and will be given the priority over

Triathlon, Evening Sprint Series and Interservices

Castle Triathlon Series, Hever Castle Triathlon, Evening

11A

RUN COURSE

After you leave the second transition you will begin the run course which consists of two loops of 10.5km totalling 21km. The course will test you physically and mentally, but it is the final hurdle before the finish!

THE ROUTE

A large proportion of the run route is off road with many competitors choosing to wear trail or multi-terrain run shoes.

Overall the run elevation is 80m per lap so a total of 160 metres.

The finish line is situated by the event village close to the Castle lake where a host of refreshments and drinks will be on offer.

CUT OFF TIME

Runners who have not started their 2nd lap 8 hours 30mins after race start will not be allowed to head out around the 10.5km loop for a second time but will instead be directed down the finishing chute.

PUBLIC SHARING PARTS OF THE ROUTE

Please exercise caution when running along all sections of the route as there may be other 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.

RESPECT FOR ALL

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

RUN COURSE OVERVIEW

LEAVING TRANSITION

After exiting transition competitors head west to the corner of Pokeridge Field in the same direction of travel as exiting cyclists. On reaching the line of cypress trees turn left and head up the old gardeners path towards Threshers Fields and where the old walled garden of the estate remains to this day.

into a wood called Sliders. After running alongside a couple of large fields, pass a small lake and then pass through the small hamlet of Hill Hoath.

CHIDDINGSTONE HIGH STREET, CASTLE AND GROUNDS

PARK WOOD AND THRESHERS FIELD

Having emerged into the sunlight at the top of the heavily wooded track, keep the large wood, Park Wood, on your left hand side and run along the manicured path until your reach the first Feed Station. Immediately after the Feed Station turn left and after 50 yards, with a line of old estate cottages on your right hand side, turn right once you make the metalled road.

A further couple of fields are followed by a shallow descent onto the tarmac road of Chiddingstone High Street. Pass the school, the church and the pub and then enter the Chiddingstone Castle grounds via a large gate adjacent to the pub. Here you’ll find the second Feed Station. Head downhill over a bridge that spans the castle lake and then pass in front of the castle itself before leaving the grounds via the main entry gate. Hereupon turn immediately left and follow the road for 200 yards before turning right down a forestry track directly opposite the castle Orangery.

LOCKSKINNERS AND BRIDLEPATH

Follow the metalled road for 600m and then turn left onto a bridle track where the road makes a sharp right. Follow the bridle path for 400m up and over a small col before descending downhill and turning right onto a public footpath. A steady climb uphill through an area called Mounters will eventually bring runners to the high point of the run in Stock Wood. Descend from here on a well-made track (this can be muddy if it rains in the run up to the event)

HEVER CASTLE AND GROUNDS

Next runners pass through a horse cross country course field and then arrive back at the Threshers Fields and the third Feed Station (same as the first one). Re-entering Park Wood head downhill until reaching the lake and turn right before circumnavigating the lake, the formal castle grounds and eventually ending up back at Pokeridge Field for your grandstand finish.

RUN COURSE KEY MILESTONES

Please

0.5K

MARSHAL POINTS 1 – 2

This is a bit of an uphill slog on an uneven track. Underneath the pedestrian footbridge it is always a bit mucky but it is only for approx. 15m.

1.3K

FEED STATION 1

As you run along the footpath handrailing Park Wood you will approach Feed Station

1. Pass the feed station and then turn immediately left, following the signs that say Gauntlet Route and head towards the public road at Marshal Pt 3.

1.3K

MARSHAL POINT 3

This is a road crossing on a country lane. It will be double marshalled but please remain vigilant as you approach the junction.

take note of the following 13 key junctions and points of interest on the run course.

9.7K

MARSHAL POINT 28

Nearly there! One last steep gravelly hill of around 50m length and then you have 300m of grassy, finely mowed, downhill before you have completed your first lap.

10.2K

MARSHAL POINT 29

Cross over a tarmac road by some ticket huts and you will see the main event village in front of you. Watch out at the various pedestrian crossing points as you circumnavigate transition passing the finish chute off to your right. Next time around you will be the one crossing the line!

FEED STATIONS

The Castle Race Series will be working with fuelling partner, Precision Fuel & Hydration to provide you with comprehensive food and drink stations.

ON THE BIKE

A feed station will be placed at Black Hill Car Park on the Ashdown Forest (pretty much the highest point on the course) at 18K into the bike route. You will pass this feed station twice, once at 18K and then again on your second lap at 63K.

A team of volunteers will have a selection of food and drink available for you including the following:

– PF 30 Energy Chews

– PF 30 Energy Gels

– Half bananas

– Pre-mixed bottles of water

– Pre-mixed bottles PH 1000 electrolyte drink

Drinks from these stations will be handed out in bike specific drink bottles. Each station will be preceded by a large container ready to catch your empty bottles or litter. Furthermore, there will be a water station at 35.5km, manned by volunteers, in the layby in the village of Penshurst, which you will pass again at 80.5K on your second lap. Please note that this water station will also be used by standard distance competitors. There will also be a waste bin approximately 50 metres before the aid station.

ON THE RUN

There will be 2 feed stations. The 1st feed station will be at 1.5K at the South East corner of Park Wood. You will pass this at 1.5, 6.5, 13 and 19.5K. A 2nd feed station will be placed just inside the Castle gates by The Castle Inn in Chiddingstone High Street. This is 6K into the run. You will therefore pass this twice, once at 6K on your first lap and again at 16.5K on your second lap.

A team of volunteers will have a selection of food and drink available for you including the following:

– PF 30 Energy Chews

– PF 30 Energy Gels

– Half bananas

– Pre-mixed bottles of water

– Pre-mixed bottles PH 1000 electrolyte drink

- Jelly Babies (or similar)

- Flat coca-cola (or similar)

Drinks from these stations will be handed out in cups. Please use the bins provided further along the course for your empties rather than dropping them in the grounds of the Castles! There will be two additional water stations, one at Stock Wood, at 3.5k and one in the field opposite the rear of the castle at 9.5k. You will pass these again on your second lap at 14k and 20k. Please note that all of these aid stations will also be used by standard distance competitors.

FUELLING & HYDRATION GUIDE THE GAUNTLET

Failing to fuel and hydrate appropriately is a leading cause of underperformance in long distance triathlons.

Your plan should focus on ensuring that you take in enough carbohydrate, fluid and sodium to fuel the work required and keep you hydrated.

BEFORE THE RACE Fuel

What to do

Hydration

What to do

- Your race pack will include a packet of our strongest electrolyte drink, PH 1500

- Mix it into 500ml of water and aim to drink it about ~60-90 mins before your swim start

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- This is known as ‘preloading’ and it can significantly improve your performance

- Finish your drink ~45 mins before you start to allow your gut to absorb it

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- Aim to carb load in the day or two before your event, to top off your stored energy (glycogen) levels

- Eat an energy gel in the final 15 mins or so before you start. This'll provide additional fuel to be utilised in the early stages and increase your focus and energy levels

Why?

- Carb-loading is a well-known tactic used by endurance athletes

- Think of your glycogen stores as the fuel you have in the tank before a long journey. The more you start with, the longer you can keep going before you need to top-up

- Simple carbs taken in the last 15 mins will hit your bloodstream around the start of the race, increasing energy availability just as energy use is ramping up in your body

- Drink the electrolytes in water you’d have drunk anyway so you don’t overdo it

- DON’T just drink lots of water before a race! You can end up diluting your blood sodium levels, increasing the risk of a race-ruining condition called hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels)

Why?

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- It’ll boost your blood volume, a proven way to enhance performance during intense exercise, especially in the heat

- It’ll help your cardiovascular system cool you down and deliver oxygen to your working muscles. This reduces fatigue and enables you to maintain your performance for longer

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- PH 1500 electrolyte drink is a very effective preloader as it contains 3x more sodium than typical sports drinks

- Preloading may also help you avoid cramp, which can be triggered by sodium depletion

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DURING THE RACE

The bike section offers a great opportunity to fuel and hydrate proactively in order to set up a strong run as most athletes find it easier to eat and drink on the bike than when they’re running.

For this reason it's common, and considered good practice, to ‘front load’ the ride with a higher hydration and energy intake than you aim for on the run.

Fuel

What fuel is available at the feed stations?

- PF 30 Energy Gels. Each gel contains 30g of carbohydrate

- A selection of food and drink such as bananas (cut into thirds, about 9g of carb oper third), flat coca-cola (about 10g of carb per 100ml) and jelly babies (or similar, about 5g of carb per sweet)

What to do

- Use our Quick Carb Calculator to get an idea of how much carbohydrate you'll need per hour to perform at your best

- Many athletes racing The Gauntlet will benefit from higher intakes of 60 to 90 grams of carbohydrate per hour, perhaps even more than 90g, as long as the amount consumed doesn’t cause stomach problems

- An hourly intake of ~60-90+ grams per hour is not something all athletes can achieve immediately and it can take a bit of time to build up to this rate of consumption, especially if you’ve been prone to suffering from GI issues in the past

Why?

- When it comes to powering high intensity endurance exercise, carbohydrate is the main source of fuel used by your body

- Glycogen (stored carbohydrate) is a finite resource. 90-120 minutes of hard activity will generally deplete your stores enough to significantly compromise your performance. So, at some point, taking in carbs is necessary to maintain a high level of performance

Pro tips

- Time your intake of fuel on the bike to coincide with straight stretches of road or on a gentle downhill. This makes it easier to eat comfortably

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- If you prefer liquid calories on the bike, consider using PF 30 Energy Drink Mix in your bike bottles. It contains 30g of carb and 500mg of sodium per 500ml serving, so can provide some or all of your carb requirements, depending on the total amount that you drink

- Carry your own fuel on the run if possible. Gels/chews weigh very little and this approach allows you to use some you’ve properly tested in training. It also means you won’t accidentally miss picking one at a busy feed station and can eat them whenever you like

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- The higher the amount of carbohydrate you’re aiming to ingest, the more crucial ‘training your gut’ in the lead up to your race becomes

- Generally speaking, the more energy you can consume in the early stages of the run, the stronger you’ll be able to finish, so don’t restrict your carb intake if you’re tolerating it well

Hydration

What hydration products are available at the feed stations?

- PH 1000, a low-carb electrolyte drink containing 1,000mg of sodium per litre (~2x the sodium found in typical sports drinks)

- Water

What to do

- A middle distance race is too long to go without drinking, so you’re going to need to be knocking back a reasonable amount of fluids and electrolytes during the ride/run

- The aim is to try to avoid under-drinking to the point that dehydration hampers your performance, whilst avoiding over-drinking, which can lead to hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels)

- Your fluid/electrolyte intake on the bike needs to be adequate enough to set up a good run, not just to survive the ride!

- Most athletes will need to take in between 500ml and 1L per hour during The Gauntlet. The exact amount depends on the conditions, your own sweat rate and past experiences

- Most athletes find they can take in less fluid per hour on the run than they can on the bike, which should give you an idea of the kind of volumes you might be able to tolerate

- Experimenting within these guidelines, whilst learning to listen to your body, is the best way to work out how much you need to drink during a race

- On the day, factors such as your pace and the weather will influence what you actually need and you should adjust your intake according to how you feel as the race unfolds

Why

- Taking on board an appropriate amount of fluid and electrolytes is essential to maintaining your blood volume and supporting the cardiovascular effort you’ll be putting in

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150304075220.htm

- A 2015 study found that athletes who adequately replaced the sodium lost in their sweat finished a middle distance triathlon an average of 26 minutes faster than those who didn’t

- As well as maintaining fluid balance, sodium plays an important role in the absorption of nutrients in the gut, maintaining cognitive function, nerve impulse transmission and in muscle contraction.

- Hydration is, of course, particularly important during longer events, when your net sweat losses can really mount up. That's especially the case if it'll be hot on the day

Pro tips

- Drinking from cups at feed stations can make it tricky to work out exactly how much fluid you’re consuming. As a rough guide, half a standard paper cup will give you ~100ml of water

- Squeeze aid station cups across the top to form a slit to pour water out of. This’ll reduce the amount that gets spilled

- It’s often faster overall to walk a few paces through feed stations to ensure you get enough fluids on board, rather than trying to drink from cups whilst running at full speed

- Consider carrying some blister-packed Electrolyte Capsules in case you run out of sports drink during the latter stages of the bike or run. Swallowing 2 capsules per 500ml of water you consume would deliver the same ratio of electrolytes to fluid as a bottle of PH 1000 from the feed stations

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CHECKLIST FOR ADJUSTING YOUR INTAKE

Signs you may need to drink more include:

- Feeling thirsty/dry mouth

- Heart rate drifting upwards when compared to power output or effort

- Tight, twitchy or crampy muscles Signs you may need to drink less include:

- Feeling bloated

- Feeling water ‘sloshing’ in your stomach

- Peeing too frequently

Signs you may need to increase your energy intake include:

- Hunger

- Attitude or mood deteriorating

- Craving sugar

Signs you may need to decrease your energy intake include:

- Feeling/being sick

- Bloating

- Upset stomach

TRY THE ON-COURSE FUEL/HYDRATION IN TRAINING

"Nothing new on race day" has always been solid advice.

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Grab a Castle Race Series Taster Pack to thoroughly road-test the on-course fuel and hydration before your race.

Don't forget to use the code CASTLE to get 15% off your first order.

QUESTIONS?

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https://visit.pfandh.com/3D6Y5Sj

hello@pfandh.com

Book a free one-to-one video call with a fuelling expert at Precision Fuel & Hydration or email hello@pfandh.com

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.

07:00

Go and have a coffee in the Festival Village whilst you register and rack.

08:00

Make their way to 16 acre island (see swim map) to watch the swim. This is accessed via the Italianate Gardens at the back of the Loggia - follow the signs to the Water Maze. Just before you come to the water maze you will cross over the river via a footbridge and this is 16 Acre lsland.

08:00 – 08:40

Watch your swimmer circumnavigate 16 Acre Island - great viewing spots all the way around and you can literally touch them as they swim down the river section!

08:40

Run back to the swim exit point so you can watch your swimmers climb out of the water and run back up the hill to transition.

08:45

Walk over to the Bike Mount Point and cheer them off on their cycle.

08:45 – 09:40

Enjoy the Athlete’s Village and other entertainment we have put on for you.

of Hever for an hour or so or follow the signage for the Gauntlet run route (1 small section of road the rest on footpaths and bridleways) and walk to the village of Chiddingstone (approx 4k).

12:00

Have an early lunch and a pint at the Castle Inn in Chiddingstone which is co-located by the Run Feed Station which is just within the gates to Chiddingstone Castle. Should be lots of excitement and music etc. Watch your competitor run past the pub and Feed Station, 4K into their 21K run.

13:00

Make your way back to the Finish Line (3K in distance) but don’t follow the Gauntlet Run Route signs once you get back onto the Hever Estate - just retrace your steps back along the public footpath but watch out for runners coming in the opposite direction. You should catch your competitor just starting out on his second lap of the run.

14:00

10:30

Walk back, via the same footpath, and then either enjoy the grounds

Arrive at the Finish Line and cheer your competitor across the Finish Line. Please note that we expect the winner to complete the race in around 4 hours and 30 minutes. Please be mindful of runners on the course and give them plenty of room. If you have small kids then a slightly less ambitious day on the Hever estate might be a better plan - there will still be loads for them to do!

PRIZE MONEY & REWARDS

PRIZES, AGE GROUPS & PRIZE GIVING

The open category podium winners will receive a trophy along with prize money with each winning male and female receiving the amounts shown below.

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

All prize givings will take place during the afternoon of event day. More precise timings will be shared by the commentator during the day or available at the Information Tent.

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 by finish line.

– The opportunity to shower in the campsite showers.

– Bespoke medal.

£150 £300 £50

FOR MORE INFORMATION

We look forward to seeing you on race day and wish you luck for your final preparations. If you need further infomation please visit our website: castleraceseries.com