The inaugural 2009 Hever Castle Triathlon was and without doubt declared an outstanding success, as over 1200 participants of all different abilities took part in this most spectacular event in and around the stunning grounds of the 13^th century castle, which was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, one of King Henry VIII's, later to be wives.

It was a beautiful sunny day that couldn't have been better for all those who prepared for the gruelling events ahead, and for the thousands of spectators who flocked to the Castle and all along the route that the cyclists would take.

The most spectacular event was the swim across the 38 acre Hever Castle Lake, the hundreds that gathered around the lake were cheering the massed swimmers on, with shouts of encouragement as they ploughed through the water to the other side, as they clambered on the shore of the lake they ran to get kitted-up and collect their cycles to begin the next part of the race, around the planned circuit through the High Weald of Kent, then back to the castle itself for the last leg of their journey, a run through the magnificent and beautiful award winning castle grounds, towards the finishing line.

The “The Henry VIII” race consisted of a series of events - an 800m swim, 40km bike ride, and a 8km run.

The winner for the men was - Jim Burdett from Caterham, Surrey, in 1 hour 53: 32.
The winner for the women was - Jill Parker from Edenbridge, Kent, in 2 hours 02: 25.

For those who took part in the “Anne Boleyn” a race for the “first timers”, the events were a - 400m swim, 20km bike ride, and a 4km run.

The winner for the men was - David Jones from Handcross, Sussex, in 1 hour 04:37.
The winner for the women was - Catherine Cooke from Bromley, Kent, in 1 hour 13:44. 

In fact all those that took part were “champions” of the day as they crossed the finishing line to great applause and cheering from hundreds of spectators.

The final gesture from the event was that “The Prince's Trust” would receive a very generous donation, which is hoped would be over £10, 000, from the organisers and those who held fund raising activities on the day.

The event marked an exceptionally wonderful day for all those that took part and those thousands who watched this spectacular event.

Hever Castle Triathlon 2009.

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