Lough Cutra warming up for June triathlon

One of South Galway’s most picturesque locations is preparing for the arrival of hundreds of sports enthusiasts from across Ireland and the UK.
As well as seasoned athletes, the Lough Cutra Triathlon, which is taking place on Sunday, June 3, is open to adults and children from eight years and up, encouraging all the family to get fit the fun way. The triathlon consists of a swim, followed by a cycle and then a run.
Triathlons, for so long the preserve of the serious athlete, are now attracting the wider public, providing a personal challenge for many first-time fun-runners.
Race distances and times vary according to age and standard, ranging from The Widgeon for 8-10 year olds which incorporates a 100m swim, a 4km cycle, a 1.3km run right up to three adult distances with the top one being the Olympic (1,500m/40km/10km). Participants can also do the triathlon as a relay, with one person doing the swim, another the cycle and a third the run.
This can be a family, a group of friends or business associates and is a popular fundraising option.
Castle owners, the Gwyn-Jones family, are in training to compete the triathlon in relay to raise funds for charity.
Son, Rollo, will start off in the water, followed by mum, Susannah, who will do the cycle leg. She will be followed up by son, Dominic, who will run the final leg. According to organisers families taking part in triathlons together is a growing trend.
The entire race takes place within the 1,600acre Lough Cutra estate. The swim is in the Castle Lake, the cycle route is a scenic tour around the lake and woodland while the run takes place over tracks and private roads, finishing with a sprint through the grand stables and down the main drive to the finish in front of the castle itself.
Lough Cutra Castle is the fifth venue to join the unique Markel Castle Triathlon Series that combines the challenge of triathlon racing with the culture and history of famous castles and their grounds. It includes three other castles in England and a chateau in France. The decision to bring the increasingly popular series to Ireland recognises the growing popularity of the sport here. It also fits in with Tourism Ireland’s strategy to market the West of Ireland as an unrivalled adventure sport destination.
Race director Brian Adcock said the aim of the event was to create a festival-like atmosphere that was good for the local economy, good for tourism as well as being good for athletes and their families. 
Last minute entries are still being accepted. To register for the Markel Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon or any of the series visit www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk or call 0044 1892 870 681.