Closing date looms for first Staunton Harold triathlon
Triathletes of all ages and experience have until midday on Wednesday June 7 to enter the first ever Staunton Harold Triathlon which will be held at the village’s picturesque country estate on Sunday June 11.
The event has been organised by Derby-based HUUB Events and will be staged in the 2000 acre family-owned Staunton Harold Estate.
As well as a choice of two distances for adult competitors, a Junior Aquathlon event has been added to the day to enable young people aged eight to 16 to join in the fun. They will compete in a 100m open water swim and then a 1.5 km run around the grounds.
In the main competitions, the Super sprint will start with a 400m swim in the lake and then a 14km bike ride and 4km run through the estate. The longer Sprint distance course will be a 750m swim, 28km bike and 8km run.
HUUB Events Race Director Claire Duffin explained: “Having organised the highly successful Jenson Button Trust Triathlon events in Derby for the past two years and a host of other swim, bike and run events across the county, we were keen to look for a brand new venue for novice and experienced triathletes alike.
“We have had a great response to the first Staunton Harold Triathlon and we are looking forward to a great day of sport involving people of all ages and experience in the three-discipline sport.
“I am particularly pleased that we have been able to accommodate younger competitors who will have the chance to swim in the lake and run around the estate.”
Staunton Harold Hall was formerly a hospice run by the Sue Ryder charity and was bought by the Blunt family in 2003.
The Georgian hall is now a family home with the west wing converted into managed offices and conference facilities known as Lion Court and the suite of state rooms on the east and north front available for hire for large functions and up to 12 weddings a year.
The family converted the large Georgian stable block into the Ferrers Centre for Arts and Crafts in 1974 which is now the base for 16 local businesses.
Caroline Large is the daughter of the estate owners John and Jacqueline Blunt and lives at the hall with her husband and three children.
She explained that the family were very keen to host the triathlon and thought it was the perfect event for the country estate.
“The Staunton Harold Estate is a hidden gem at the gateway to the National Forest with a fantastic network of cycle and walking paths which attract thousands of visitors every year so it definitely has the wow factor.
“Hosting this triathlon will give participants access to parts of the estate that they would not normally have and will certainly be the first time that we have had people swimming in the lake.
“This is therefore a great opportunity to showcase the beauty of the estate and I am sure that it will encourage people back again – particularly to visit the Ferrers Centre or to view the business accommodation and function facilities at the Hall and Lion Court.”
For more information and online registration, please visit www.huubevents.com