The Blenheim Palace triathlon is anticipating a record turnout this summer as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.
The event in Woodstock will take place on the weekend of June 1-2 and has already sold out for two of its most popular distances, with entries remaining strong across the rest of the weekend.
The 2023 event saw nearly 5,000 people take part including household names such as BBC Radio 2 presenter Jo Whiley.
Entries for 2024’s Saturday’s sprint and sprint team relay events are now sold out, meaning the only remaining way to compete on the Saturday is through the super sprint or the weekend warrior challenge.
The super sprint distance incorporates a 400m swim, a 13.3km bike ride, and a 2.9km run.
It is one of the highlights of the Blenheim Palace Triathlon, which prides itself on being an event for novices.
The 2023 event saw more than 70 per cent of participants compete in a triathlon for the first time.
Also growing in popularity is the weekend warrior challenge, which offers athletes the opportunity to push beyond the conventional distance offered at triathlons.
It challenges participants to complete as many consecutive triathlons as they can over the two-day event.
The current record for the Weekend Warrior stands at 11 sprint triathlons across the two days, which adds up to 8,250 metres swimming, 217.8km cycling, and 59.4km running.
Participants hoping to take part in the sprint distance, which is a 750m swim, 19.8km bike ride, and 5.4k run, still have the opportunity to compete on Sunday, June 2, with places remaining for the distance, alongside the sprint team relay or super sprint.
Andy Taylor, the race director for the Blenheim Palace Triathlon, said: "Last year we saw nearly 5,000 people enter for the event, and we are hoping for a bumper turn out this year.
"Entries are certainly representative, even in this early stage, of an increase and growth in sign-ups for the event and we are delighted to see the triathlon’s popularity develop.
"In this, the 20th anniversary of the Blenheim Palace Triathlon, it’s important that we reflect on the inclusivity of the event and the triathlon’s ability to maintain its values.
"Last year the event was represented by all walks of life, with celebrities, visually impaired runners with guides and many more, demonstrating the amount of work that goes into ensuring this event is accessible and open to a variety of abilities.”
For more information or to sign up for the Blenheim Palace Triathlon, visit the Blenheim Triathlon website.
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