Increased traffic and activity is expected this weekend due to the Blenheim Palace Triathlon in Woodstock.

Oxon Travel, a traffic account managed by Oxfordshire County Council, has issued a statement about predicted traffic and activity in the area in the hours leading up to and after the event. 

Traffic is expected on the A44 and A4095.

Oxon Travel is encouraging motorists to plan their journey ahead. 

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Blenheim Palace triathlon is an annual event in which thousands compete in the palace grounds, many doing so to raise money for charity or in honour of loved ones. 

The 2023 event saw nearly 5,000 people take part including household names such as BBC Radio 2 presenter Jo Whiley.

Growing in popularity is the weekend warrior challenge, which offers athletes the opportunity to push beyond the conventional distance offered at triathlons.

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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.

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."