With water sitting at a near-perfect 21.9°C, the claxon sounded at 8:30am and the Sprint Plus wave was off. The course pulled no punches: 800m open water swim, 40km bike, 8km run through the stunning Belvoir Castle estate.

Damian owned the Open race, storming to victory in 2:03. Dean Eason chased hard for second in 2:08.

The women’s race was just as fierce. Rekha Owen took the win in 2:37, with Mya Onyett close behind in 2:41.

The multisport action continued at 9:45am with the Sprint Duathlon, followed closely by the Aquabike and Aquathlon events.

In the Sprint Duathlon, Ian Dickerson claimed victory in the Open category with an impressive time of 1:11, while Erin Bush produced a dominant performance to win the Female category in 1:16.

The Aquabike challenged competitors with a 750m open water swim followed by a testing 20km cycle, rewarding those who could combine endurance with speed across two disciplines. The multisport programme concluded with the Aquathlon, where athletes rounded off the morning with a swim-run challenge, bringing an exciting close to a fantastic morning of racing at Belvoir Castle.

Our Swim Series was not far behind, with competitors taking on the 1-mile, 2.5km and 5km open water swims in the beautiful Belvoir Lake. Known for its demanding nature, the course tested every swimmer’s endurance and determination, but each athlete rose to the challenge, making for an inspiring spectacle on the water.

In the longest 5km distance, Moir Angus (Non-Wetsuit) claimed victory in the Open category with an impressive time of 1:18, while Team Bottrill’s Kerry Hickson (Wetsuit) produced a superb performance to take the Female title in 1:12, showcasing the strength and depth of competition throughout the Swim Series.

At 14:30, the next generation of triathletes took centre stage as the Triathlon East Midlands Junior Series got underway. The 11–12-year-olds led the action, closely followed by the 9–10-year-olds, delivering plenty of determination, fast racing and fantastic enthusiasm around the course.

A huge congratulations to every junior who took part. Whether it was your first triathlon or your tenth, crossing the finish line is an achievement to be proud of. The passion and confidence on display proved that the future of triathlon is in great hands.

The action continued at 9:45am as the Olympic distance race got underway. Widely regarded as one of the most competitive races in the Castle Race Series calendar, athletes took on the demanding 1,500m swim, 42km bike and 10km run, battling both the challenging course and the rising summer temperatures in pursuit of podium places and personal bests.

The course was lined with enthusiastic spectators whose cheers and encouragement created an electric atmosphere, giving competitors an extra boost as they dug deep and powered their way to the finish line.

Over 250 runners took on the trails at Belvoir Castle, choosing from the 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon distances. Renowned for its challenging climbs and undulating terrain, the Belvoir course is far from easy, but that’s exactly what makes it so rewarding. Every hill conquered and every mile completed was a testament to the determination and resilience of the runners, with the spectacular castle surroundings making every step worth the effort.

In the Marathon, Lee Baynton delivered a dominant performance to claim the Open title in an outstanding 3:01:00. The Female race was equally impressive, with Emma Peace taking victory in 3:22:13, capping off a superb display of endurance on one of the toughest marathon courses in the Castle Race Series.

As always, the four-legged supporters stole the show. Dogs of all shapes and sizes brought plenty of joy to the event village and course, enthusiastically cheering on their humans and keeping smiles on the faces of athletes and spectators alike.

Set against the spectacular backdrop of Belvoir Castle, this year’s event was one to remember. Glorious sunshine, an incredible festival atmosphere, and outstanding racing combined to create a truly unforgettable weekend.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us—we can’t wait to welcome you back on 17th & 18th July 2027 for another fantastic edition!