This year over a thousand people ran, cycled and braved the waters of the Leeds Castle moat to take part in the third successive Leeds Castle Triathlon. 2016 being the first year that the Castle has been nominated as a ‘National Championship Sprint Race’ venue, everything needed to be particularly spick and span for the contestants. So that didn’t just mean across the parkland and around the moat … that meant under the moat too!
A massive operation took place in the weeks running up to the triathlon to dredge a route through the moat and ensure swimmers weren’t waylaid by decades of sludge. Avoiding huge carp and eels, a mountain of rich mud was taken away by the lorry load to be greeted with great delight by our local farmer to be spread across his fields. But the biggest catch of the day was reserved for small, hard, round objects … hundreds of golf balls hit into the moat over time by misguided golfers.
As the morning of the triathlon dawned clear and bright, triathletes from all over the country descended on Leeds Castle. However before anyone could go anywhere, a mission was afoot. There was a need to gently persuade a platoon of Canada Geese, Barnacle Geese, Mute Swans, Whooper Swans and the famous Black Swans of Leeds Castle to take their leisurely morning stroll anywhere across the 500 acre estate, but not on the cycle course. With this fowl obstacle removed, the races began!
Bookings are now open for the 2017 Triathlon. Go on, take the plunge.
