Over a thousand athletes and spectators gathered in Ludlow on Sunday 23 April for the third Storm The Castle.
The award-winning multisport event, run by Be Endurance and hosted at Ludlow Castle, has grown year on year with 350 athletes participating in the duathlon, along with 270 children competing in Junior Storm races.
Athletes travelled to Ludlow from the length and breadth of the country, including Kent, Bristol, Norfolk and Cumbria, to compete in the popular event which recently scooped a prestigious award. Storm The Castle was voted no.1 event under 500 entries in the UK by readers of the biggest national triathlon magazine, 220 Triathlon.
Race director Dermott Hayes, 42, said: “A few years ago, myself and Matt Green and Matthew Morris had an idea to create a sporting event in our hometown. I have never completed the race but the medals mean more to me than any Ironman or GB finisher trophies I have collected.
“Also at the weekend we were informed that our race was voted (by athletes) as the best event in the UK under 500 entries. That gave us goosebumps. To say we are blown away and chuffed to bits is a huge understatement. Thank you to every athlete that has supported us and more so to every friend and family member and all volunteers who have helped us achieve our mission. It means so much to us to be recognised for what we are trying to build. We also want to thank our sponsors Premier Bike Ludlow Brewery and Radnor Hills for helping with this event. Yet again, the feedback has been amazing with many saying they will be back in 2018.”
The organisers had upped the ante this year by making the run-bike-run event even tougher, including a fourth brutal stint up the so-called Lactic Ladder, inbetween Dinham Bridge and Whitcliffe Common. The event consisted of 10k run, 33km bike, 5km run.
With nearly a minute’s lead on his rivals Jon Barnes, 25, Yonda Racing Team, was first to cross the finish line, completing the event in 1:58:20.
Commented Jon: “It was great to win the event, nice to see my training is paying off! It was a fantastic course with so many features adding some great bits of personality to the race, definitely the UK’s toughest! I loved the brutal climb up to the castle and the Lactic Ladder; the castle finish was cool as well and with bits over the bridge allowed for great support from spectators. I will be aiming to defend my title next year!”
He added he is competing in another event run by Be Endurance in June, the longer distance duathlon Storm The Fort, in Clun. Mr Barnes, from Hereford, is a member of Yonda Racing which was set up by Mark Buckingham, training partner of double Olympic champion Ali Brownlee, to help the UK’s best triathletes make the next step towards an international career.
Jack Schofield, already a podium finisher on the global multisport stage, came second in 1:59:18. Robin Woods, Builth & District, was third in 2:01:14. First female was Josie Mullane, Stafford Tri Club, in 2:25:07. Jack, who finished in third place at the Oklahoma World Championships last September, said: “I’m usually a long-distance triathlete so the short distance course was definitely a shock to the system. The course was tough, very well thought out. It’s a great route, proportionally tougher than anything I’ve raced before and the run was very well supported all round which is always a great bonus.
“Like Jon, I’ll definitely be back next year and racing Storm The Fort which, if I can string some form together over the next few weeks, could be a battle worth watching!”
The three Be Endurance founders, Dermott Matt and Matt, bonded over sport while attending school in Ludlow, and credit the success of Storm The Castle to “the incredible support from the local business community and residents of Ludlow helping us to build an outstanding event in our hometown.”
Matt Green, 42, added: “It’s also important to us that we benefit the people and businesses in our hometown.”
Gary Walters, owner of Ludlow Brewery said: “Storm The Castle is a great event which boosts local businesses; some B&Bs get fully booked as soon as dates are announced. We love being involved as we are passionate about supporting local sporting events and clubs.”
The spectator experience has become almost as popular as the stunning backdrop and the course at Storm The Castle. After a chilly overcast start to the morning on Sunday, the sun obligingly shone for hundreds of children competing. Anne Rutter, who was watching her Junior Storm competitor grandson Charles Martin, said: “Watching family, friends and colleagues cross the finish line at Ludlow Castle is an extremely fun day out.”
Dozens of volunteers are needed to help ensure the event is run safely and smoothly. Around 45 marshals and volunteers were involved, almost all local to Ludlow and the surrounding areas – apart from friends, family and the general public, Friends of Whitcliffe Common and the Royal Welsh Regiment were particularly helpful with providing marshals.
Sian Rowles, from Cleobury Mortimer, was a marshal with son Evan, 13, and daughter Cerys, 15. She said: “I love seeing people coming into Ludlow to join in with the event but also that so many local people participate – especially in the children’s races.
“The duathlon inspired me to start running and although I haven’t mastered the bike yet I have been out with the Teme Tri Club and did my first aquathlon this year.
“It’s a great experience for my kids. There is a teenage reluctance to get up around 5.30am but they enjoy people seeing they know going past and Evan would like a career in sport.”
Storm The Fort, “the UK’s longest toughest duathlon” takes place on Sunday, June 18th.
The inaugural Ludlow10, a 10k event, is a closed road race which will take place on July 8th, and is the third event under the Be Endurance brand.