Hever Castle 2025 Race Report

For the 17th year of racing at Hever, more than 7,000 athletes and supporters gathered at the historic Hever Castle for an unforgettable festival weekend. From triathlon and multisport to swimming, running, and junior races, our Kent flagship once again proved the perfect backdrop for a celebration of endurance, community, and castle spirit. The event village buzzed with energy, filled with supporters, live entertainment, and plenty of celebration as athletes crossed the line to claim their hard-earned medals.

DAY ONE

Morning: Sprint Racing Ignites the Festival

The weekend kicked off with the Sprint Plus and Sprint Triathlons, testing athletes on our much-loved Hever courses. Competitors pushed hard on the bike laps around the Kent countryside and flew back into the castle grounds for the run finish. Congratualtions to Joshua Lahiri and Katie Tasker the winners of the Sprint Plus.

The Duathlon, Aquabike, and Aquathlon Sprint races added to the energy, keeping the course buzzing from the very first starter to the last finisher.

Midday: Speed and Spirit

The action kept flowing with the Super Sprint and Starter Triathlons — always a favourite for first-timers and young athletes building experience.

Among them were members of Team Phoenix UK, an inspiring group helping breast cancer survivors cross the finish line of a triathlon — they bring the teamwork, while Team Phoenix supplies the training and equipment. Their presence embodied the courage, community, and celebration that define the weekend.

Swimming to glory

Meanwhile, the castle lake welcomed hundreds for the opening of the Swim Series, with distances from 1 mile to 5K. Crowds gathered along the lakeside paths to cheer as swimmers emerged from the water, creating an electric atmosphere.

Congratulations to winners of the 5K swim Christos Manoli and Kerry Holland.

Bailey Matthews – Our Inspiration

A truly special moment of the day was watching Bailey Matthews complete his third Castle Race Series event of the year — marking 10 years since his very first triathlon with us.

In celebration of this milestone, Bailey proudly raced wearing the same bib number he wore at Castle Howard a decade ago. Despite living with Cerebral Palsy, Bailey’s determination to overcome every obstacle continues to inspire all who see him race. It is a privilege to have him as part of the Castle Race family. Reflecting on his race, Bailey shared:

“A cold swim with a nice helping hand out from Jude, an unforgiving but fun hilly bike, and a scenic run — my favourite race of the year.”

Afternoon: Juniors Steal the Show

By the afternoon, it was the turn of the youngest competitors. The 9–10 year-old triathletes raced with grit, determination, and wide smiles, cheered on by families and spectators.

Their enthusiasm and resilience made for one of the day’s most heart-warming highlights, proving once again that Hever is a true family festival.

DAY TWO

Morning: The Gauntlet Takes Centre Stage

Sunday began with the festival’s flagship challenge, The Gauntlet (Half Iron Distance). Athletes faced the 1.9k swim, 90k bike, and 21.1k run, a course as iconic as it is demanding. The racing was fierce at the front, while hundreds of others dug deep to conquer one of the toughest races in the Series.

At the same time, duathletes battled over both middle and standard distances, showcasing incredible endurance on the tough Hever terrain.

Midday: From Olympic Glory to Multisport

Attention then turned to the Olympic  Triathlon, Duathlon, Aquathlon, and Aquabike, offering something for every type of multisport athlete. With British Triathlon qualifier status on the line, the competition was intense and produced some superb performances.

Congratulations to Olympic Triathlon winners Tom Bill and Jessica Rusby.

Run, Run, Run!

Meanwhile, the Castle Run Series brought trail runners to the forefront.

From the Marathon to the Half Marathon and 10K, participants tackled the rolling hills, woodland paths, and lakeside trails that make Hever such a unique challenge.

Many called it “brutal but beautiful” — the very essence of castle running.

Afternoon: Juniors Close the Festival

The weekend concluded with the 11-12, 13–14 and 15–16 Junior Triathlons. Despite tired legs and slippery ground, these young athletes gave it everything, cheered home by proud families and friends.

Their resilience and enthusiasm rounded off the weekend in style, leaving no doubt that the future of the sport is bright.

Racing for a Cure

Throughout the weekend, more than 80 athletes proudly raced for our charity partner, Alzheimer’s Research UK. From Gauntlet champions to first-time finishers, every swim stroke, pedal and stride helped raise vital funds and awareness for life-changing dementia research.

Their incredible efforts shone a spotlight on the urgent need for breakthroughs in understanding and treating Alzheimer’s — with every mile completed bringing us closer to a cure. Team ARUK were proudly in the event village cheering on their athletes!

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A Word from Brian

Race Director Brian Adcock said:

“Hever Castle is our flagship event, and weekends like this show why. The racing was incredible, the atmosphere electric, and the castle backdrop simply magical. Congratulations to every athlete — whether it was your first starter triathlon or a Gauntlet victory — and thank you to the crew, marshals and supporters who make this festival possible.”

JOIN US IN 2026

The Castle Race Series returns to Hever Castle on 26 – 27 September 2026 for another unforgettable festival weekend.

We are offering 30% off all 2026 races! Registration is quick and easy—just two minutes on our express form.

Don’t forget to share your photos using #RaceYourWay #CastleRaceSeries #HeverCastleMultisport2025, and leave your reviews on RaceCheck.

See you all in 2026!

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