The Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon and Multisport Festival got underway at 08:00 in glorious conditions, with Sprint Plus athletes leading the first wave into the water. They were followed by Sprint, Super Sprint and Starter Sprint competitors, alongside Duathlon, Aquathon and Aquabike events, creating a fantastic morning of multisport action.

One of the weekend’s most inspiring moments came from Bailey Matthews, who completed the event for an incredible 11th consecutive year. Bailey has cerebral palsy — and he is a force of nature. Year after year, he takes to the course and reminds every single person watching why this sport matters.

At 13:30, it was time for the juniors to take centre stage, with many competing as part of the Triathlon England North West Junior Series. The racing got underway with the draft-legal 15–16-year-olds, followed 30 minutes later by the 13–14-year-olds and then the 11–12-year-olds, each wave bringing plenty of excitement and determination to the course.

Every junior who raced today should be immensely proud. Whether it was your first triathlon or your tenth, standing on that start line takes courage, commitment and confidence. Keep training, keep believing, and keep enjoying the journey—the future of triathlon is looking incredibly bright.

A demanding 1,900m swim, 84km bike and 21.1km run – The Gauntlet – pushed our races through one of the toughest challenges of the weekend. The exciting Australian exit added extra drama to the swim, delighting spectators as competitors ran from the water before diving back in.

With temperatures rising early, conditions tested every athlete from start to finish. Congratulations to everyone who conquered the course, and a special mention to Mike and Katherine, whose outstanding performances secured the overall male and female victories in unforgettable style.

The day’s multisport action began with the Middle Distance Duathlon, where athletes tackled a demanding 10K run, 56K bike and a final 10K run to test both speed and endurance. Thirty minutes later, the Standard Distance Duathlon competitors took to the course, adding even more excitement as the racing intensified.

As the day unfolded, attention turned to the Aquabike and Aquathlon events, offering competitors the chance to showcase their strengths across swim-bike and swim-run disciplines. From seasoned athletes chasing personal bests to those taking on a new challenge, every event delivered determination, grit and plenty of memorable performances.

Our juniors took the limelight, kicking off the day’s racing at 14:00! They tackled the course with impressive speed, determination, and enthusiasm, giving their all from start to finish. Their hard work and team spirit made for a fantastic opening to the event.

There were some brilliant performances across the age groups. William, representing Chorley Athletic and Triathlon Club, claimed victory in the 9–10 category, while Bolton Tri Club celebrated gold in the 11–12 race, with Chloe racing to a well-deserved first-place finish. Congratulations to all our young athletes for an outstanding display of talent and effort!

Race Director Brian Adcock said:

“A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon and Multisport Festival such a success. From our dedicated volunteers, marshals and medical teams to our support crews, every person played a vital role in delivering a safe, welcoming and memorable event.

I’d also like to thank the team at British Triathlon for their expertise and professionalism throughout the weekend, and the wonderful staff at Cholmondeley Castle for their outstanding hospitality and support. We couldn’t do it without you, and we’re already looking forward to welcoming everyone back next year.”